CarBrief

NHTSA has 122 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Lincoln MKZ, and the car has 12 recalls[1][2]. Check which recalls were completed before you buy, because one recall record says parts were not yet available[3].

122owner complaints[1]
12recalls[2]
21–38MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 122 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Four mention a crash, three a fire and three an injury. None report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

The groups with the most complaints:

We read a sample of 12 complaints in each of the top four groups. It is a small sample, so treat it as a hint and not a count of all owners.

Steering. In 10 of the 12 sampled complaints, owners describe losing power steering assist or a very heavy wheel, often with a warning message[7]. In 3 of them, traction control, hill assist or ABS warnings came on at the same time[7].

Power train. In 5 of 12 sampled complaints, owners describe rough or unexpected shifting, including the car moving from drive to neutral or park while driving[8]. Two describe stalling or a loss of power[8].

Electrical system. In 4 of 12 sampled complaints, owners describe the car stalling or not starting[6]. In 3 of 12, they describe collision warning alerts or lights with no real threat ahead[6].

Structure. In 6 of 12 sampled complaints, owners describe a door that would not latch or stay closed[9]. In 3 of 12, the problem involves the panoramic sunroof, such as glass layers separating[9]. Two of the door complaints say a dealer told the owner the car was not covered by a recall[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 12 recalls for this model year, newest first[2]. Some cover only certain builds, regions or equipment, so a dealer needs to check a specific car.

Fuel economy

EPA lists five versions. All use regular gas. Annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Hybrid FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl[4] 38 / 37 / 38 $1,750
FWD, 2.0L turbo[23] 22 / 32 / 26 $2,600
AWD, 2.0L turbo[24] 22 / 31 / 25 $2,700
FWD, 3.7L 6-cyl[25] 19 / 27 / 22 $3,050
AWD, 3.7L 6-cyl[26] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,200

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door sedan 5 stars overall, 5 stars in the frontal test, 4 stars in the side test and 4 stars for rollover[5][27]. The ratings are the same for front-wheel drive[27] and all-wheel drive[5]. NHTSA lists the rollover risk as 10.9% for both[5][27].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list rates the 3.7L 6-cylinder engine at 305 hp[28].

Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. The 4-door sedan is 194 in long, 73 in wide and 58 in tall, with a 112 in wheelbase[29].

How 2013 compares with other years

2007: 259 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 281 complaints, 4 recalls20082009: 114 complaints, 6 recalls20092010: 170 complaints, 7 recalls20102011: 185 complaints, 5 recalls20112012: 205 complaints, 5 recalls20122013: 122 complaints, 12 recalls12220132014: 125 complaints, 13 recalls20142015: 97 complaints, 10 recalls20152016: 71 complaints, 6 recalls20162017: 158 complaints, 4 recalls20172018: 37 complaints, 2 recalls20182019: 23 complaints, 1 recalls20192020: 3 complaints, 1 recalls2020
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each MKZ model year. The 2013 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20072594
20082814
20091146
20101707
20111855
20122055
201312212
201412513
20159710
2016716
20171584
2018372
2019231
202031

The 2013 MKZ has 122 complaints and 12 recalls on file[2]. Only the 2014 model year has more recalls, with 13[2]. The 2015 model year has 10, and the 2010 model year has 7[2].

On complaints, 2013 sits in the middle. Seven model years have more, including 281 for 2008 and 259 for 2007[2]. Six have fewer, including 97 for 2015 and 71 for 2016[2]. The 2014 model year is close, at 125 complaints[2]. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Should you buy a used 2013 Lincoln MKZ?

The 2013 MKZ has a 5-star overall NHTSA rating and a wide range of fuel economy, from 21 to 38 combined MPG depending on the version[26][4][5]. The recall list is long at 12 recalls, and several involve steering, doors and air bags[2][14][15][3]. Ask a Lincoln dealer to confirm that every recall that applies to the car has been completed, and to check whether the restraint control module remedy is now available, since its record says parts were not available[3]. In the complaint samples we read, owners describe steering assist loss, shifting problems and door latch trouble, so those are worth a test drive and a close look[7][8][9]. Our data does not cover reliability scores, repair costs or price, so those need separate checking.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Lincoln MKZ?
Electrical system and steering lead with 19 complaints each, then power train with 17[6][7][8]. In the steering complaints we sampled, owners describe lost power steering assist[7].
How many recalls does the 2013 Lincoln MKZ have?
NHTSA lists 12 recalls for this model year, the second most of any MKZ year after 2014 with 13[2].
Is there a door latch recall on the 2013 MKZ?
Yes. Recalls 15V246, 17V210 and 20V331 cover door latches, and some cars are limited by build date[18][15][13].
What gas mileage does the 2013 Lincoln MKZ get?
EPA combined ratings run from 21 MPG for the 3.7L AWD to 38 MPG for the hybrid[26][4].
How safe is the 2013 Lincoln MKZ?
NHTSA rates the sedan 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for side and rollover[5][27].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 122 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Lincoln MKZ (4 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Lincoln MKZ model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 14V597, filed September 26, 2014: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for MKZ Hybrid FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 38 city / 37 highway / 38 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 19 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,865). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 19 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 17 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 14 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 13 complaints name the seat belts component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 12 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,349). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 23V162, filed March 10, 2023: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 20V331, filed June 8, 2020: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 19V632, filed August 29, 2019: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 17V210, filed March 27, 2017: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 16V875, filed December 5, 2016: Seat Belts › Front. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 15V250, filed April 28, 2015: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 15V246, filed April 24, 2015: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 14V164, filed April 2, 2014: Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 13V594, filed November 25, 2013: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 13V230, filed May 31, 2013: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
  22. Recall 13V227, filed May 31, 2013: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
  23. EPA rating for MKZ FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for MKZ AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. EPA rating for MKZ FWD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  26. EPA rating for MKZ AWD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  27. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  28. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Lincoln MKZ with 3.7L 6-cylinder: rated 305 hp. www.epa.gov
  29. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MKZ 2.0L FWD/AWD/3.7L FWD/HYBRID 4DR SEDAN: length 194 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,827 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  30. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MKZ 3.7L AWD 4DR SEDAN: length 194 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 4,001 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.