2016 Lincoln MKZ Complaints
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
64
Total
8
Crashes
0
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths
Most Reported Components
Owner Complaint Reports
Showing 25 of 64 reports, crash, fire and injury reports first, then the most recently filed. The full set is on NHTSA.gov.
ENGINE — Filed 06/02/2025
Catalytic Converter P0420 issue that cannot be fixed.
SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 06/19/2026
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the brake light had remained illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the vehicle was unoccupied. In addition, the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the gear shifter independently shifted out of park. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failed brake pedal bumper stop. The contact was informed that the brake pedal bumper stop was detached and caused the brake light to remain illuminated. The contact was advised to contact the dealer. The contact was informed of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES — Filed 06/17/2025
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear passenger's side door independently unlatched and opened. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to close the door, the door failed to close or latch as intended. The contact stated that the contact's grandson was seated in the rear passenger's seat during the failure that occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not inspected. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 05/01/2026
-The front bumper of the car is nearly coming off. This is attached by a "bra" covering the front bumper and if not on the whole front bumper would fall off. The tires/rims are also nearly run down and need to be replaced. -This is caused me great concern when transporting my children as a divorced father to and from the other party's premise. At every turn I believe the bumper may fall off or one of the tires. -UNKNOWN -UNKNOWN -This problem has been happening for at least a year, and I would like for the (front bumper) of the vehicle to be replaced along with four (tires/rims) at the earliest.
BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 05/06/2025
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera would display a black screen whenever in reverse. The camera would fail the majority of the time when in reverse. The failure related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
STEERING — Filed 03/23/2026
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became loose, and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact stated that the front end made an abnormal humming sound. The vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist functionality. The contact pulled over, and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 08/01/2025
regarding the rear view camera. It stopped working intermittently and now it shows the picture inverted (backwards) I see an extensive list of vehicles that have been recalled, but my vin is not listed. How do I get this repaired?
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 04/24/2025
The back up camera mostly is blank and doesn’t warn me of a vehicle coming from either side resulting in almost getting hit several times
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 07/10/2025
Rear camera malfunction in that the image is reversed and the reference lines are missing, fertile lines also appear obstructing view
UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 05/05/2023
My back up camera fails the majority of the time. When in reverse it will say camera not available, or it will just go black. And every once in a while it will actually work. I have goiter used to using the camera to check for cars and children behind me. It is hard to see things behind me when I just look out the back window. Yes had a ford dealer look over it and they told me it would be very expensive to have fixed and that they see this problem often on the MKZ. No warning. It just started working intermittently.
BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 03/01/2024
The issue is the back up camera works correctly sporadically. Often times the screen is blank or says to contact the dealer. I took it to the Ford dealer and said to fix the issue the camera would have to be replaced.
BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 09/12/2023
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while shifting into reverse(R), the image on the rear-view camera was frozen or distorted. The contact stated that on other occasions the screen was black. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the back over prevention camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/19/2024
I have had this problem now for over a year, the backup camera on my 2016 Lincoln MKZ shows a panoramic view of the rear but things are reversed, left is on the right side and visa versa or the screen goes blank and a message states camera unavailable contact dealership. Sometimes it works okay but then goes into one of the two issues mentioned above. I talked with my dealership and they wanted to diagnose it, for a fee, or replace the camera which would be between $500 and $800 but I declined. You have had a few reports of this for the MKZ but just recently Ford issued a recall for this specific issue and symptoms for 2015 to 2019 Mustangs, Lincoln Navigators, Lincoln MKC, Edge, Fusion and others along with the entire F-series pickup trucks. The recall issued indicated a software issue and that any authorized dealership could replace the camera but when talking to my dealership today, Irwin Lincoln/Mazda in Freehold New Jersey, they said since my car/vin isn't currently under the current recall for this they would have to charge me a diagnostic fee and parts/labor to fix what they find. You need to include the 2015 to 2019 MKZ under this recall as I and others have had the exact symptoms indicated on the current recall for the backup camera.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 06/15/2025
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost automotive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Prior to the failure, the vehicle had been taken to a local dealer on several occasions for a START/STOP repair, and other unknown repairs; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the same local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the results were unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/11/2025
We own a 2016 Lincoln MKZ hybrid that is having issues with the backup camera randomly going blank, or significant delays at random times. Ford/Lincoln addressed the exact issue as a software recall in other models under Recall 25S72, but failed to list our vehicle. This is becoming a big issue with safety not having the backup camera working with the way the rear window is placed, it is difficult to see certain areas behind you. Since this was already identified as a software issue by Lincoln/Ford, we would like to see them extend the recall include our vehicle. This randomly has been happening for the last month.
BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 04/01/2025
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera was inoperable, and the message "Camera Is Unavailable" was displayed. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 43,800.
ENGINE — Filed 06/11/2025
My MKZ started slowly losing coolant and running rough particularly upon starting the engine. Two days later the overheating warning came on and I pulled over and shut off the engine. Sioux Falls Ford has diagnosed it as coolant intrusion in the engine requiring a new engine block.
SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 08/02/2023
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, another vehicle intercepted his lane from the left, and when depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle independently shifted to the right causing the vehicle to hit a curb and damaging the front passenger side tire. No air bags deployed. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
STRUCTURE — Filed 04/27/2023
Didn’t slow down right away
SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 09/11/2022
Sunday, Sept 11, 2022, 2:55 pm. Was stopped at light at 16/Mound in Warren, MI. My car lurched forward while I had my foot firmly on Brake, the brakes had failed, but no warning lamps were activated till after the crash. I bumped the vehicle in front of me, an older model Jeep. No one was injured. My hood was pushed in, front bumper and lighted were damaged. Little damage to back bumper of Jeep. Warren Police came and issued an Incident Report. I DID NOT receive a traffic ticket Insurance damage to my car was $7,000 I had received a Notice from Lincoln(attached) in early Sept, 2022 (Customer Satisfaction Program 22N02) warning that "brake fluid may leak from one or both front brake flexible hoses." I had noticed some drops of either oil or brake fluid and was going to schedule an appointment with Lincoln, but the crash happened. Since the vehicle is currently in the collision shop, the brake lines have not yet been examined. The Police officer did see the warning light THAT WENT ON AFTER THE CRASH and said he would note it in his report.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 03/20/2021
The contact owned a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while exiting her employer's parking lot when the vehicle began to accelerate independently and she started to smell a burning smell. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she was depressing the brake pedal to the floor and pressed the Park button but the vehicle continued to accelerate and move forward. The contact also stated the steering wheel seized when she crashed into a wooden guard rail, a metal fence, and a chain-link fence. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries on the middle of the sternum and her right breast was bruised from the seat belt. The contact did seek medical attention for her swollen feet from depressing the brake pedal forcefully. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000. The VIN was not available.
AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 05/01/2019
A VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE A CAR DID THE SAME IN FRONT OF THEM. I BRAKED SUDDENLY BUT IT FELT LIKE MY VEHICLE WAS BEING PUSHED FROM BEHIND, MY STEERING WHEEL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED SO DID THE SIDES. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BEFORE THE IMPACT BLINDING ME AS I REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT. I SUFFERED BURNS, BRUISES, NECK INJURIES AND LOWER BACK PAIN. I WAS DRIVING NO MORE THAN 25-30 MILES PER HOUR. MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOST AND I HAD OWNED IT FOR LESS THAN A YEAR.
AIR BAGS — Filed 08/31/2017
MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY RESULTING IN ME HAVING LIFE-LONG INJURIES. I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT IN AUGUST 31ST, 2017. I T-BONED A VEHICLE THAT CAME OUT OF A PARKING LOT ILLEGALLY RESULTING IN THE ACCIDENT. MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. IF THEY HAD I WOULD NOT HAVE SUSTAINED THE INJURIES THAT I DID. IT WAS OVER $17,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE.
AIR BAGS — Filed 03/16/2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT STOPPED ABRUPTLY. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (SHERWOOD AUTOMOTIVE, SALISBURY, MD, 410-548-46), BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A TAKATA SETTLEMENT NOTICE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 03/24/2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH MOTION SENSORS TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN AN OBJECT WAS NEAR, BUT THEY FAILED TO OPERATE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
About This Data
Complaints are filed by vehicle owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They represent individual consumer experiences and do not necessarily indicate a widespread defect.
View on NHTSA.gov