Lincoln

MKZ

Midsize Cars · model years 2010 to 2020

Includes MKZ AWD, MKZ FWD and MKZ Hybrid FWD as listed by the EPA.

See all 48 MKZ trims All Lincoln cars

The verdict

Best year: 2020. complaints: 2, below this model's typical 97; recalls: 1, below this model's typical 7.

Worst year: 2010. complaints: 169, about 4.3x this model's typical 39; recalls: 9, above this model's typical 7.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Lincoln MKZ
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	Top complaints
2010	2Gas	20	no data	$3,125	9	169	3	AIR BAGS 49%, SERVICE BRAKES 13%, EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6%
complaints: 169, about 4.3x this model's typical 39 recalls: 9, above this model's typical 7 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 NHTSA advised parking the 2010 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.8 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2011	3Gas, Hybrid	21	no data	$2,950	7	184	3	AIR BAGS 37%, STEERING 14%, SERVICE BRAKES 9%
complaints: 184, about 3.2x this model's typical 58 recalls: 7, in line with this model's typical 7 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 NHTSA advised parking the 2011 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.4 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2012	3Gas, Hybrid	21	no data	$2,950	6	146	3 (1 open)	AIR BAGS 39%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13%, STEERING 11%
complaints: 146, about 2.5x this model's typical 58 recalls: 6, below this model's typical 7 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 9 NHTSA advised parking the 2012 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.7 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2013	5Gas, Hybrid	25	305	$2,500	13	108	5 (1 open)	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%, STEERING 11%, POWER TRAIN 10%
complaints: 108, above this model's typical 97 recalls: 13, about 1.9x this model's typical 7 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 40 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.9 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2014	5Gas, Hybrid	25	305	$2,500	14	97	4 (1 open)	STEERING 19%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 9%
complaints: 97, in line with this model's typical 97 recalls: 14, about 2x this model's typical 7 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 38 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.2 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2015	5Gas, Hybrid	25	305	$2,500	11	74	4 (1 open)	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%, SERVICE BRAKES 9%, AIR BAGS 7%
complaints: 74, below this model's typical 97 recalls: 11, about 1.6x this model's typical 7 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 55 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	5Gas, Hybrid	25	305	$2,500	7	61	4 (1 open)	STEERING 16%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%, AIR BAGS 12%
complaints: 61, below this model's typical 97 recalls: 7, in line with this model's typical 7 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 62 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	5Gas, Hybrid	23	393	$2,700	4	125	2	ENGINE 38%, POWER TRAIN 13%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6%
complaints: 125, above this model's typical 97 recalls: 4, below this model's typical 7 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 Score: 62 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	5Gas, Hybrid	23	317	$2,700	2	26	2	POWER TRAIN 24%, ENGINE 21%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 9%
complaints: 26, below this model's typical 97 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 7 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 87 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	5Gas, Hybrid	23	317	$2,700	1	15	1	ENGINE 22%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, STEERING 17%
complaints: 15, below this model's typical 97 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 7 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 91 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	5Gas, Hybrid	23	317	$2,700	1	2	1	STEERING 50%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 50%
complaints: 2, below this model's typical 97 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 7 Score: 94 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2010: 20 to 2020: 23

Owner complaints2010: 169 to 2020: 2

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Lincoln MKZ to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.