CarBrief

NHTSA has 158 owner complaints for the 2017 Lincoln MKZ, and engine reports are the biggest group[1][2]. The car also has 4 recalls on file, so check your VIN before you buy[3].

158owner complaints[1]
4recalls[3]
20–40MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 158 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Six mention a crash[1], 4 a fire[1] and 4 an injury[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Engine[2] 87 77,500
Power train[6] 28 104,625
Brakes[7] 19 75,500
Unknown or other[8] 16 not given
Electrical system[9] 11 not given
Steering[10] 10 17,900
Fuel/propulsion system[11] 10 not given
Speed control[12] 6 not given

Engine. The engine group has 87 complaints, with 3 crashes, 4 fires and 3 injuries[2]. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 5 describe coolant found inside the cylinders[2], and owners say the engine then had to be replaced. Three describe the car stalling or losing power[2].

Power train. The group has 28 complaints, with 3 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury[6]. In a sample of 12 we read, most describe a torque converter or transmission problem[6]. (Or state 8, and avoid implying a share of all owners.) Several of those owners say the dealer told them their car was not part of a recall[6].

Brakes. There are 19 brake complaints and none mention a crash, fire or injury[7]. In a sample of 12 we read, 4 describe a brake hose leak with the pedal sinking toward the floor[7]. Another 4 come from owners who got a recall notice and say the repair part was not yet available[7].

The rest of the groups are smaller. Electrical has 11 complaints[9], steering 10[10] and fuel or propulsion 10, with 3 fires and 1 injury[11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this car[13][14][15][16]. Newest first:

Recall 23V162 covers more than 1.28 million vehicles[13]. The steering wheel recall covers more than 1.30 million[15]. Use the NHTSA site with your VIN to see whether your car is included.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend a lot on the engine and drive:

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Hybrid FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl[4] 41 / 38 / 40 $1,700
FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo[17] 21 / 31 / 24 $2,800
AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo[18] 20 / 28 / 23 $2,900
FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo[19] 18 / 27 / 21 $3,200
AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo[20] 17 / 26 / 20 $3,350

All use regular gas[4][18][17][20][19]. Fuel costs use EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door AWD and FWD versions 5 stars overall[5][21]. Both score 4 stars in the frontal test, 5 stars in the side test and 4 stars in rollover, with a rollover risk of 10.9%[5][21].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US cars can differ slightly. All versions are listed at 194 inches long, 73 wide, 58 high, with a 112 inch wheelbase[22][23][24].

Version Curb weight
2.0L AWD sedan[22] 3,909 lb
3.0L AWD sedan[23] 4,200 lb
Hybrid sedan[24] 3,878 lb

How 2017 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 recalls20132014: 125 complaints, 13 recalls20142015: 97 complaints, 10 recalls20152016: 71 complaints, 6 recalls20162017: 158 complaints, 4 recalls15820172018: 37 complaints, 2 recalls20182019: 23 complaints, 1 recalls20192020: 3 complaints, 1 recalls2020
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each MKZ model year. The 2017 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20072594
20082814
20091146
20101707
20111855
20122055
201312212
201412513
20159710
2016716
20171584
2018372
2019231
202031

NHTSA has 158 complaints and 4 recalls for the 2017 model year[3]. Five years have more complaints: 2008 with 281[3], 2007 with 259[3], 2012 with 205[3], 2011 with 185[3] and 2010 with 170[3]. The other eight years have fewer, including 2016 with 71 and 2018 with 37[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

For recalls, 2017 is on the low side. The years 2013 and 2014 have 12 and 13[3].

Should you buy a used 2017 MKZ?

The 2017 MKZ has a 5-star overall NHTSA rating[5][21]. It also has 158 complaints, with the engine as the largest group at 87[1][2]. In the sample of complaints we read, In the sample of engine complaints we read, coolant in the cylinders came up more often than stalling[2].. Ask for service records and check your VIN for open recalls, especially the brake hose and torque converter ones[13][16]. Pick the engine with fuel cost in mind, since the EPA estimate runs from $1,700 to $3,350 a year[4][20].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Lincoln MKZ?
Engine is the largest group, named in 87 of the 158 complaints[1][2].[1][2]. Power train has 28[6] and brakes 19[7]. These are unverified owner reports.
Does the 2017 Lincoln MKZ have recalls?
Yes, 4 recalls: front brake hoses, steering wheel bolt and two for the torque converter[13][14][15][16].
What is the gas mileage of a 2017 Lincoln MKZ?
The EPA rates it from 20 to 40 combined MPG, depending on engine and drive[4][20].
How safe is the 2017 Lincoln MKZ?
NHTSA gives the AWD and FWD sedans 5 stars overall[5][21].
Is 2017 a good year for the Lincoln MKZ?
Five model years have more complaints than 2017's 158, and eight have fewer[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 158 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Lincoln MKZ (6 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 87 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 4 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Lincoln MKZ model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for MKZ Hybrid FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 41 city / 38 highway / 40 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 28 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 104,625). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 19 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 16 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 11 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 10 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 10 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 6 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 23V162, filed March 10, 2023: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 18V390, filed June 11, 2018: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 18V167, filed March 12, 2018: Steering › Steering Wheel / Handle Bar. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 17V427, filed July 6, 2017: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for MKZ FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 31 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for MKZ AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for MKZ FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for MKZ AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MKZ 2.0L AWD 4DR SEDAN: length 194 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,909 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MKZ 3.0L AWD 4DR SEDAN: length 194 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 4,200 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MKZ HYBRID 4DR SEDAN: length 194 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,878 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.