What are the most common problems with the 2014 Lincoln MKZ?

By complaint count, steering leads with 26 complaints, then brakes with 22 and the electrical system with 19.

How many recalls does the 2014 Lincoln MKZ have?

NHTSA lists 13 recalls for this model year, the most of any MKZ year in the data. They cover brakes, steering, door latches, seat belts, air bags, seats and a hybrid shift problem.

What gas mileage does the 2014 Lincoln MKZ get?

EPA combined ratings run from 21 MPG for the 3.7L AWD to 26 MPG for the 2.0L turbo FWD, and the hybrid is rated 38 combined.

Is the 2014 Lincoln MKZ safe?

NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for side and rollover. Check that recalls are done, including air bag module recall 14V597, where parts were once listed as unavailable.

2014 Lincoln MKZ Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 125 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Lincoln MKZ^[1], and it carries 13 recalls, more than any other MKZ model year in the same data^[2]. Steering and brakes lead the complaint list, so check that every recall has been done before you buy^[3]^[4].

125owner complaints^[1]

13recalls^[2]

21–38MPG combined (EPA)^[5]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[6]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 125 complaints for this model year^[1]. Thirteen mention a crash, the complaints report eight injuries in total, and none report a fire or a death^[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

The biggest groups are:

Component group	Complaints	Crashes	Median miles at failure
Steering^[3]	26	1	66,500
Brakes^[4]	22	5	70,000
Electrical system^[7]	19	0	63,000
Engine^[8]	11	2	92,000
Power train^[9]	10	2	37,680

We also read a small sample of complaint texts for four groups. It is only a sample, so it does not tell you how common any problem is.

Steering. In 8 of the 12 steering complaints we read, owners describe losing power assist or finding the wheel hard to turn, often with a "steer assist fault" style message^[3].
Brakes. In 9 of the 12 brake complaints we read, owners describe a pedal that went soft or a car that would not stop as expected^[4].
Engine. In 7 of the 11 engine complaints we read, owners describe the car stalling, shutting off or losing power while driving^[8].
Electrical. In 4 of the 12 electrical complaints we read, owners describe a dead or draining battery^[7]. In 3 of the 12, owners describe a screen or camera that failed^[7].

Fuel system (9 complaints), wheels (8) and unknown or other (14) are smaller groups^[10]^[11]^[12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 13 recalls for this model year^[2]. Each recall covers certain vehicles, often by build date or by the state where the car was sold, so not every 2014 MKZ is on every list. Ask a dealer to check the VIN against open recalls to see which apply to a specific car. Newest first^[2]:

Front brake hoses (23V162). Ford recalled certain 2013 to 2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ cars on March 10, 2023. A front brake hose may rupture and leak brake fluid. That makes the pedal travel farther and lengthens stopping distance. Dealers replace the front brake hoses free of charge.^[13]
Brake pedal bumper (22V011). Recalled January 13, 2022, for certain cars sold or registered in a list of states. The pedal bumper can corrode and fall off. Brake lights may stay on, and on automatic cars the driver may be able to shift out of Park without pressing the brake, so the car could roll. Dealers replace the bumpers free of charge.^[14]
Door latches, repeat repair (20V331). Recalled June 8, 2020. Cars already repaired under earlier latch recalls may have had the repair done wrong. A latch part can break, and a door may seem closed when it is not. Dealers check the latch date codes and replace the side door latches if needed, free of charge.^[15]
Door latches, listed states (20V177). Recalled March 23, 2020, for certain 2014 to 2016 Fusion and MKZ cars sold or registered in a list of states and territories. The same latch part can break. Dealers replace the side door latches free of charge.^[16]
Power steering motor bolts (19V632). Recalled August 29, 2019, for cars sold or registered in a list of states. Road salt can corrode the bolts that hold the steering motor. If they fail, power steering help is lost and the wheel takes more effort, mostly at low speeds. Dealers replace the bolts and apply wax sealer, or fit a new steering gear if bolts are broken or missing, free of charge.^[17]
Steering wheel bolt (18V167). Recalled March 12, 2018, for certain 2014 to 2018 MKZ and Fusion cars. The bolt that holds the steering wheel can loosen, and the wheel could come off while driving. Dealers install a longer bolt free of charge.^[18]
Door latches (17V210). Recalled March 27, 2017. A latch part can break, so a door may not be fully latched and could open while moving. Dealers replace all four door latches free of charge.^[19]
Seat belt cable (16V875). Recalled December 5, 2016, for certain cars built from November 14, 2012, to July 31, 2014. After a crash, heat from the seat belt pretensioner may cause a front belt anchor cable to fail. Dealers apply a protective coating to the cable free of charge.^[20]
Power steering motor bolts (15V250). Recalled April 28, 2015, for cars sold or registered in a list of states. Salt can corrode the bolts holding the steering motor, which can cut power steering help. Dealers apply sealer and replace the bolts as needed, or fit a new steering gear, free of charge.^[21]
Door latches (15V246). Recalled April 24, 2015, and later expanded. A latch part can break, so a door may seem closed when it is not. Dealers swap all four door latches for an improved part at no cost.^[22]
Restraint control module (14V597). Recalled September 26, 2014. A cracked coating on the module can let circuits short in humid air. The front air bags, curtain air bags and belt pretensioners might then not work in a crash. The fix is a new module, but the record says parts were not currently available, so check with a dealer whether the remedy is available now.^[23]
Seat back recliner (14V164). Recalled April 2, 2014. Weak welds on the seat back recliner mechanism may leave the seat back loose or leaning, which could raise injury risk in some crashes. Dealers replace the seat back free of charge.^[24]
Hybrid shifts out of Park (13V594). Recalled November 25, 2013, for certain MKZ Hybrid cars. A faulty transmission range sensor may let the car be shifted out of Park without pressing the brake, so it could roll. Dealers update the powertrain control software free of charge.^[25]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings by version, in city / highway / combined MPG:

Version	MPG	Est. annual fuel cost
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, FWD^[26]	22 / 32 / 26	$2,600
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, AWD^[27]	22 / 31 / 25	$2,700
3.7L 6-cyl, FWD^[28]	19 / 27 / 22	$3,050
3.7L 6-cyl, AWD^[29]	18 / 25 / 21	$3,200
2.0L 4-cyl Hybrid, FWD^[5]	38 / 37 / 38	$1,750

EPA's fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door MKZ 5 stars overall and 5 stars in the frontal test, in both AWD and FWD form^[6]^[30]. Side and rollover ratings are 4 stars each, and the rollover risk is listed at 10.9%^[6]^[30].

Engine and size

The only horsepower rating in our data is for the 3.7L 6-cylinder: 305 hp^[31]. Fuel economy lists also include a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo and a 2.0L 4-cylinder hybrid^[26]^[5].

These are Canadian-market specifications, so US cars can differ slightly.

Measure	Value
Length^[32]	194 in
Width^[32]	73 in
Height^[32]	58 in
Wheelbase^[32]	112 in
Curb weight, 2.0L and hybrid, and 3.7L FWD^[32]	3,827 lb
Curb weight, 3.7L AWD^[33]	4,001 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each MKZ model year. The 2014 is highlighted^[2].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2007	259	4
2008	281	4
2009	114	6
2010	170	7
2011	185	5
2012	205	5
2013	122	12
2014	125	13
2015	97	10
2016	71	6
2017	158	4
2018	37	2
2019	23	1
2020	3	1

Among the MKZ model years in NHTSA's data, 2014 has 125 complaints^[2]. Six years have more: 2007 (259), 2008 (281), 2010 (170), 2011 (185), 2012 (205) and 2017 (158)^[2]. The 2013 model year has 122 and 2015 has 97^[2].

Recalls are different. The 2014 model year has 13 recalls, the most of any year listed^[2]. The 2013 year has 12 and 2015 has 10^[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2014 MKZ?

The complaint count is middle of the pack for this model, and the NHTSA overall rating is 5 stars^[6]. Drop one sentence, for example merge the last two.. The long recall list is the main thing to deal with. Steering, brake, door latch and air bag related recalls are on it^[13]^[17]^[19]^[23]. Ask for proof that each recall that applies to the car was completed, and check with a dealer on 14V597^[23]. Steering and brake complaints are the largest groups, so a test drive that checks both is sensible^[3]^[4]. This page cannot tell you about oil, towing or tire needs, because our data does not cover them.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Lincoln MKZ?: By complaint count, steering leads with 26 complaints, then brakes with 22 and the electrical system with 19^[3]^[4]^[7].
How many recalls does the 2014 Lincoln MKZ have?: NHTSA lists 13 recalls for this model year, the most of any MKZ year in the data^[2]. They cover brakes, steering, door latches, seat belts, air bags, seats and a hybrid shift problem^[13]^[17]^[19]^[20]^[23]^[24]^[25].
What gas mileage does the 2014 Lincoln MKZ get?: EPA combined ratings run from 21 MPG for the 3.7L AWD to 26 MPG for the 2.0L turbo FWD, and the hybrid is rated 38 combined^[29]^[26]^[5].
Is the 2014 Lincoln MKZ safe?: NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for side and rollover^[6]^[30]. Check that recalls are done, including air bag module recall 14V597, where parts were once listed as unavailable^[23].

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 125 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Lincoln MKZ (13 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Lincoln MKZ model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
26 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,500). NHTSA vehicle records
22 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
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
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
19 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,000). NHTSA vehicle records
10 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,680). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,200). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the wheels component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,972). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 23V162, filed March 10, 2023: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
Recall 22V011, filed January 13, 2022: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V331, filed June 8, 2020: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V177, filed March 23, 2020: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V632, filed August 29, 2019: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V167, filed March 12, 2018: Steering › Steering Wheel / Handle Bar. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V210, filed March 27, 2017: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V875, filed December 5, 2016: Seat Belts › Front. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V250, filed April 28, 2015: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V246, filed April 24, 2015: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V597, filed September 26, 2014: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V164, filed April 2, 2014: Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V594, filed November 25, 2013: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
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
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
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
EPA rating for MKZ AWD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
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
EPA Test Car List, 2014 Lincoln MKZ with 3.7L 6-cylinder: rated 305 hp. www.epa.gov
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
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.

2014 Lincoln MKZ: problems, recalls and fuel economy