Lincoln MKZ Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Lincoln MKZ model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2020 drew the fewest (2) and the 2008 the most (281).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 1 | Steering | 5★ | 20–24 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
20 | 1 | Engine | 5★ | 20–24 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
35 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 20–24 |
| 2016 | 64 | 6 | Service brakes | 5★ | 20–26 |
| 2015 | 83 | 10 | Electrical system | 5★ | 21–26 |
| 2014 | 97 | 13 | Steering | 5★ | 21–26 |
| 2013 | 109 | 12 | Electrical system | 5★ | 21–26 |
| 2009 | 114 | 6 | Air bags | — | 19–21 |
| 2017 | 139 | 4 | Engine | 5★ | 20–24 |
| 2011 | 145 | 5 | Air bags | 4★ | 19–21 |
| 2012 | 146 | 5 | Air bags | 4★ | 19–21 |
| 2010 Among the most complaints |
169 | 7 | Air bags | — | 19–21 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
259 | 4 | Air bags | — | 19–20 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
281 | 4 | Air bags | — | 19–22 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Lincoln MKZ years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2008 Lincoln MKZ: 281 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 166 (59%); Service brakes 73 (26%); Wheels 32 (11%).
Reports mention 12 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,400 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Lincoln MKZ: 259 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 184 (71%); Service brakes 42 (16%); Wheels 18 (7%).
Reports mention 14 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 77,456 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2010 Lincoln MKZ: 169 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 96 (57%); Service brakes 37 (22%); Exterior lighting 11 (7%).
Reports mention 14 crashes, 10 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 72,233 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
The Lincoln MKZ years with the fewest complaints
2019 Lincoln MKZ: 20 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 7 (35%); Electrical system 3 (15%); Steering 3 (15%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 injury. 1 recall campaign listed.
2018 Lincoln MKZ: 35 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 12 (34%); Power train 9 (26%); Engine and engine cooling 3 (9%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 45,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Lincoln MKZ owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 45,000 |
| 2017 | 139 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 74,000 |
| 2016 | 64 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2015 | 83 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 59,000 |
| 2014 | 97 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 61,000 |
| 2013 | 109 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 46,000 |
| 2012 | 146 | 10 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 54,000 |
| 2011 | 145 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 69,000 |
| 2010 | 169 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 72,233 |
| 2009 | 114 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2008 | 281 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 80,400 |
| 2007 | 259 | 14 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 77,456 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Lincoln MKZ recalls
- Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2006–2012 model years; 2,602,668 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2021; 21V158000)
- Doors May Open While Driving (2013–2014 model years; 2,147,323 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2020; 20V331000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2006–2011 model years; 1,892,343 vehicles across all models; filed May 2016; 16V384000)
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display (2015 model year; 1,448,655 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2025; 25V695000)
- Steering Wheel may Detach (2014–2018 model years; 1,301,986 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2018; 18V167000)
All 32 Lincoln MKZ recall campaigns · Lincoln MKZ problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Lincoln MKZ years FAQ
Which Lincoln MKZ year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2020 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Lincoln MKZ years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2008, 2007 and 2010 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the air bags. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Lincoln MKZ problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the air bags (674 of 1,663 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Lincoln MKZ have?
NHTSA lists 32 recall campaigns covering the Lincoln MKZ. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Lincoln MKZ recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.