What are the most common problems with the 2019 Lincoln MKZ?

Engine complaints lead the list with 8 reports. Electrical and steering follow with 3 each.

Does the 2019 Lincoln MKZ have recalls?

Yes. The pack lists 1 recall for this year. See the Recalls section on this page for details.

What is the gas mileage of the 2019 Lincoln MKZ?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2019 Lincoln MKZ reliable?

Owner reports are mixed. The engine group has 8 complaints. See the by-year section on this page and check recall status before you decide.

2019 Lincoln MKZ Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2019 Lincoln MKZ have?

NHTSA has 23 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 23 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Lincoln MKZ^[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 8 complaints^[2].

23owner complaints^[1]

1recalls^[3]

20–41MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

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

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints in several groups. Here they are, biggest first.

Engine. 8 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe fluid getting where it should not, rough running, warning lights and engines that quit, sometimes at fairly low mileage.
Unknown or other. 4 complaints^[6]. These reports do not point to one clear part.
Electrical system. 3 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a dash display that stopped working soon after purchase, a car that moved after being put in park, and doors that could be opened from outside when they should have been locked.
Steering. 3 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a wheel that feels loose, wobbles, or stiffens and pulls the car.
Forward collision avoidance. 2 complaints^[9].
Structure. 2 complaints^[10]. Owners describe passenger doors that opened while the car was moving and a glass roof panel that broke on its own.
Power train. 2 complaints^[11].
Seats. 1 complaint^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2019 MKZ is necessarily included.

Back Over Prevention › Software (25V442), June 2025. About 200,237 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]

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^[14]	20 / 29 / 23	$2,900
MKZ FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[15]	20 / 31 / 24	$2,800
MKZ FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[16]	18 / 27 / 21	$3,200
MKZ AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[17]	17 / 26 / 20	$3,350
MKZ Hybrid FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	42 / 39 / 41	$1,650

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR AWD^[5]	5	4	5	4	10.9%
4 DR FWD^[18]	5	4	5	4	10.9%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2019 Lincoln MKZ with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[19]	141 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 AWD 4DR SEDAN^[20]	194 in	73 in	58 in	112 in	3,909 lb
MKZ 3.0L AWD 4DR SEDAN^[21]	194 in	73 in	58 in	112 in	4,200 lb
MKZ HYBRID 4DR SEDAN^[22]	194 in	73 in	58 in	112 in	3,878 lb

How 2019 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each MKZ model year. The 2019 is highlighted^[3].

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 23 complaints and 1 recalls for 2019^[3]. Among the 14 model years listed, 1 have fewer complaints than 2019 and 12 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2020 (3) and the most are for 2008 (281)^[3]. 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 2019 MKZ?

The 2019 MKZ has 23 complaints on file^[1]. The engine group stands out with 8 of them^[2]. Some reports in other groups involve crashes or injuries, so they deserve a careful read^[1]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales. Check the recalls section on this page and ask a seller about any open recall work before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Lincoln MKZ?: Engine complaints lead the list with 8 reports^[2]. Electrical and steering follow with 3 each^[7]^[8].
Does the 2019 Lincoln MKZ have recalls?: Yes. The pack lists 1 recall for this year^[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for details.
How many complaints does the 2019 Lincoln MKZ have?: NHTSA has 23 owner complaints on file^[1].
What is the gas mileage of the 2019 Lincoln MKZ?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2019 Lincoln MKZ reliable?: Owner reports are mixed. The engine group has 8 complaints^[2]. See the by-year section on this page and check recall status before you decide.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Lincoln MKZ

2007 259 complaints, 4 recalls
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 97 complaints, 10 recalls
2016 71 complaints, 6 recalls
2017 158 complaints, 4 recalls
2018 37 complaints, 2 recalls
2019 this page
2020 3 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the Lincoln MKZ

Other Lincoln models from 2019

2019 Lincoln Navigator 85 complaints, 10 recalls

All Lincoln models

Similar cars from 2019: midsize cars

2019 Audi A6 114 complaints, 7 recalls
2019 Cadillac CTS 10 complaints, 0 recalls
2019 Honda Insight 99 complaints, 8 recalls
2019 Kia Forte 149 complaints, 2 recalls
2019 Nissan Sentra 223 complaints, 2 recalls
2019 Tesla Model 3 619 complaints, 22 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 23 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Lincoln MKZ (2 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). 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: 42 city / 39 highway / 41 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,650. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
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
4 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
1 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 25V442, filed June 27, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Software. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for MKZ AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for MKZ FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 31 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
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
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
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
EPA Test Car List, 2019 Lincoln MKZ with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 141 hp. www.epa.gov
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
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
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.

2019 Lincoln MKZ: problems, recalls and fuel economy