What are the most common problems with the 2015 Lincoln MKZ?

Owners name the electrical system most often, then brakes and the back over prevention system. See the problems section above.

Does the 2015 Lincoln MKZ have recalls?

Yes. The count for this year is in the by-year fact, and each recall is listed in the Recalls section of this page.

What is the gas mileage of the 2015 Lincoln MKZ?

The fuel economy section of this page shows the EPA figures for this model year.

Is the 2015 Lincoln MKZ reliable?

Owners filed 97 complaints with NHTSA for this year. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so use them as a guide and read the problems section.

Which year of the Lincoln MKZ is best?

The by-year comparison on this page lays out each model year side by side, so you can weigh them yourself.

2015 Lincoln MKZ Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 97 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Lincoln MKZ^[1]. The electrical system is named most often, and the page also lists 10 recalls for this year^[2].

97owner complaints^[1]

10recalls^[2]

21–40MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[4]

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

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car. Here are the groups, biggest first.

Electrical System. 20 complaints^[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe warning lights popping on while driving, with the air conditioning, windows and radio dropping out at the same moment. Some describe the car shutting down or stalling, and repeat shop visits for problems that came and went.
Brakes. 17 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a pedal that sinks to the floor, brake fluid leaking at a wheel, and a hose that burst on the road. Others write about the car feeling unstable on slippery pavement.
Back Over Prevention. 13 complaints^[7]. Owners describe the rearview camera going dark, looking foggy or showing a warped picture while backing up.
Unknown Or Other. 10 complaints^[8].
Engine. 8 complaints^[9]. Owners describe sudden loss of power, stalling, and a check engine light that stays on.
Steering. 8 complaints^[10].
Seat Belts. 7 complaints^[11].
Air Bags. 7 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2015 MKZ is necessarily included.

Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera (25V695), October 2025. About 1,448,655 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (23V162), March 2023. About 1,280,726 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages (22V011), January 2022. About 199,085 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, reduced braking, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch (20V177), March 2020. About 288,110 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Steering › Electric Power Assist System (19V632), August 2019. About 116,160 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems, loss of power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Seat Belts › Front (19V590), August 2019. About 103,374 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar (18V167), March 2018. About 1,301,986 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of steering, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[19]
Seat Belts › Front (16V875), December 2016. About 603,392 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[20]
Steering › Electric Power Assist System (15V250), April 2015. About 487,301 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems, loss of power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[21]
Exterior Lighting › Headlights (15V248), April 2015. About 21,435 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[22]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
MKZ AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[23]	22 / 31 / 25	$2,700
MKZ FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[24]	22 / 33 / 26	$2,600
MKZ AWD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[25]	18 / 25 / 21	$3,200
MKZ FWD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[26]	18 / 27 / 21	$3,200
MKZ Hybrid FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[3]	41 / 39 / 40	$1,700

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR AWD^[4]	5	5	4	4	10.9%
4 DR FWD^[27]	5	5	4	4	10.9%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2015 Lincoln MKZ with 3.7L 6-cylinder^[28]	305 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
MKZ 2.0L/HYBRID 4DR SEDAN FWD^[29]	194 in	73 in	58 in	112 in	3,827 lb
MKZ 3.7L AWD 4DR SEDAN^[30]	194 in	73 in	58 in	112 in	4,001 lb

How 2015 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each MKZ model year. The 2015 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

NHTSA's counts for the MKZ show 97 complaints and 10 recalls for 2015^[2]. Among the 14 model years listed, 4 have fewer complaints than 2015 and 9 have more^[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2020 (3) and the most are for 2008 (281)^[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2015 MKZ?

The 2015 MKZ has a steady stream of complaints, led by electrical trouble and brakes^[5]^[6]. Owners also write about the rearview camera^[7]. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold^[1]. Check the recalls section on this page, since this year has 10 on record^[2]. If you are shopping, ask for service records on the electrical system and brakes.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Lincoln MKZ?: Owners name the electrical system most often^[5], then brakes^[6] and the back over prevention system^[7]. See the problems section above.
Does the 2015 Lincoln MKZ have recalls?: Yes. The count for this year is in the by-year fact^[2], and each recall is listed in the Recalls section of this page.
What is the gas mileage of the 2015 Lincoln MKZ?: The fuel economy section of this page shows the EPA figures for this model year.
Is the 2015 Lincoln MKZ reliable?: Owners filed 97 complaints with NHTSA for this year^[1]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so use them as a guide and read the problems section.
Which year of the Lincoln MKZ is best?: The by-year comparison on this page lays out each model year side by side, so you can weigh them yourself^[2].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Lincoln MKZ

2008 281 complaints, 4 recalls
2010 170 complaints, 7 recalls
2011 185 complaints, 5 recalls
2012 205 complaints, 5 recalls
2013 122 complaints, 12 recalls
2014 125 complaints, 13 recalls
2015 this page
2016 71 complaints, 6 recalls
2017 158 complaints, 4 recalls

Compare all model years of the Lincoln MKZ

Other Lincoln models from 2015

2015 Lincoln Navigator 21 complaints, 4 recalls

All Lincoln models

Similar cars from 2015: midsize cars

2015 Ford Fusion 1,066 complaints, 14 recalls
2015 Honda Accord 641 complaints, 6 recalls
2015 Hyundai Elantra 263 complaints, 3 recalls
2015 Kia Optima 1,021 complaints, 4 recalls
2015 Lexus GS 19 complaints, 1 recall
2015 Mazda 6 60 complaints, 3 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 97 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Lincoln MKZ (6 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Lincoln MKZ model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for MKZ Hybrid FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 41 city / 39 highway / 40 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,700. 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
20 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,118). NHTSA vehicle records
17 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,600). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the back over prevention component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,500). NHTSA vehicle records
10 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,400). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the seat belts component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 25V695, filed October 13, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
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 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 19V590, filed August 12, 2019: Seat Belts › Front. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V167, filed March 12, 2018: Steering › Steering Wheel / Handle Bar. 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 15V248, filed April 27, 2015: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
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, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 33 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. 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
EPA rating for MKZ FWD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 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, 2015 Lincoln MKZ with 3.7L 6-cylinder: rated 305 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MKZ 2.0L/HYBRID 4DR SEDAN FWD: 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.

2015 Lincoln MKZ: problems, recalls and fuel economy