2013 Lincoln Mkz Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 Lincoln Mkz, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical1712.7%
- Steering1611.9%
- Powertrain (other)1511.2%
- Seat belts129.0%
- Body & structure129.0%
- Interior & seats129.0%
- Engine118.2%
- Other / unspecified96.7%
- Fuel system86.0%
- Brakes86.0%
- Driver assistance86.0%
- Airbags32.2%
- Exterior lighting10.7%
- Suspension10.7%
- Visibility10.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Video camera in the back is almost unusable at times, get loss of vision completely or it's flipped image and distorted. Don't know if this counts but I had a issue where key batteries where fine and the car did not want to unlock or start. Also last winter the door would not unlock and if forced would not close.
the driver side mirror blind spot stopped working and all most hit a vehicle coming up alongside of me. Yes it is available No in October
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was slowing down to take a turn and I see an error message saying “power steering assist failure”. And steering went stiff..
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering was vibrating and jiggling. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loosened near the gear housing. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 63,800.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Vehicle: Lincoln MKZ 2013 Dealer: Auto Quest Inc. Description of the Safety Issue: I am submitting this report regarding a vehicle safety concern involving a 2013 Lincoln MKZ that I purchased from Auto Quest Inc. in Renton, Washington. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, within the first few days of ownership, the vehicle began experiencing significant mechanical problems including transmission issues and persistent brake noise that required multiple repair attempts. These problems appeared almost immediately after the purchase, which raises concerns that the vehicle may have had pre-existing mechanical or safety-related defects that were not disclosed at the time of sale. Since purchasing the vehicle I have had to spend thousands of dollars on repairs in order to keep the vehicle operational. Despite these repairs, the brake system has continued to produce abnormal noise and the vehicle has experienced ongoing mechanical issues. These types of issues may represent potential safety risks to drivers and passengers if the braking system or transmission were to fail while the vehicle is in operation. I am reporting this issue so that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration can evaluate whether this may represent a broader safety defect affecting this vehicle model or vehicles sold under similar circumstances.
NOTED A NATURAL GAS SMELL IN MY CAR ONLY WHEN HEAT ON IN CAR AND NOT CONSTENT, JUST IN SPIRTS I WOULD GET A STRONG SMELL. THEN LAST WEEK MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD WHINNING NOISE THAT HAS GOTTEN LOUDER AND MORE CONSISTENT OVER THE PAST WEEK. I NOTED THE 2013 MKZ HAD RECALLS FOR ISSUES LIKE THIS BEFORE. I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR USED 3 MONTHS AGO.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
The seat belts unlock at any given time
The middle rear seat belt locks up when you fold the seat down and the only way to lift the seat is to remove the seat belt from the car and allow it to fully retract. But as soon as the seat get laid down again you have to repeat the process. There are multiple videos on YouTube of multiple ford vehicles having the same problem. Secondly periodically all the lights on the dash come on and it says all the Advanced Driver Assistant systems aren’t working and the electronic assist powersteering stops working. It lasts anywhere from a couple minutes or until the car is turned off for a long time. There are also multiple videos on YouTube showing the same problem on multiple Lonicoln MKZ’s.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The doors of the vehicle fail to latch closed when the temperatures get below freezing. There has been a recall previously repaired in 2016 per vehicle records, however this seems to be an issue now.
I took my Lincoln to a Ford dealership regarding water in my trunk. The technician said it was the factory wields off the assembly line that have failed. Lincoln said they would not cover the repair due to not enough complaints on model and car was over any warranties. I returned the vehicle to the same dealership to get the repair. I was told it was not the wields, but the trunk lid. I paid for a new trunk lid and new gaskets. The car continues to leak. I took it to an ASE certified mechanic, and it was indeed the factory wields. The car has mold and mildew growing. The other dangers are the wields between the body and back pillars are failing.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact stated that when he attempted to close the front driver’s side door, the door latch would not secure the lock. The contact used a dog leash to secure the door to the door frame to prevent the door from opening while driving. The dealer and 3 other unknown dealers were made aware of the failure however, the contact was informed that repair parts were not readily available and had to be ordered from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle had to be taken to a Lincoln dealer, not a Ford dealer for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 71,000.
I'VE OWNED THE CAR 4 YEARS, DECIDED TO HAUL SOMETHING, PUT THE BACK SEAT DOWN AND IT WON'T GO BACK UP. SEEMS THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT IS STUCK.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Catalytic converter, reduced engine power and toxic fumes. I had it inspected and would cost me $1200, I purchased the vehicle from dealership and was not made aware of the recalls and customer satisfaction program that would have covered the catalytic converter under campaign #20m01. When I became aware of the program it was too late by a couple of months, there was no prior symptoms prior to the failure, I became aware of the problem December 2023 due to warning light (check engine). This has became an inconvenience and a headache especially knowing the problem could have been avoided if I received the "letter" regarding customer satisfaction program but I never did.
Lincoln MK/Z Vehicle 3.7 liter engine has repeatedly stopped running while driving at speeds between forty and seventy miles per hour. On one occasion this occurred on Florida rte 84 in heavy traffic requiring an emergency response to avoid a life threatening collision. While there are numerous reports of similar problems with Ford 3.7 liter V6 engines Ford dealers, including mine, have repeatedly stated they are unaware of any such problems. I guess Ford and the NHTSA are waiting for the death toll to reach some pre-determined level before taking action. How about a class action law suit ?
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
Took car in for an oil change and tire rotation. The dealer did the oil change but could not do the tire rotation because the lug nuts needed to be replaced.
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, he saw smoke entering through the vents. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving the vehicle to a near friend's residence. The contact stated when he open the hood he saw the fire was located on the engine. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with water nearby. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The vehicle was not drivable. The fire department did come to the location of the vehicle but a fire report was not filed. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V227000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that on several occasions while exiting the vehicle, the contact observed an abnormally strong fuel odor outside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not able to be replicated; however, the gas cap was replaced. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact believed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V227000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, he saw smoke entering through the vents. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving the vehicle to a near friend's residence. The contact stated when he open the hood he saw the fire was located on the engine. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with water nearby. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The vehicle was not drivable. The fire department did come to the location of the vehicle but a fire report was not filed. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V227000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Vehicle: Lincoln MKZ 2013 Dealer: Auto Quest Inc. Description of the Safety Issue: I am submitting this report regarding a vehicle safety concern involving a 2013 Lincoln MKZ that I purchased from Auto Quest Inc. in Renton, Washington. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, within the first few days of ownership, the vehicle began experiencing significant mechanical problems including transmission issues and persistent brake noise that required multiple repair attempts. These problems appeared almost immediately after the purchase, which raises concerns that the vehicle may have had pre-existing mechanical or safety-related defects that were not disclosed at the time of sale. Since purchasing the vehicle I have had to spend thousands of dollars on repairs in order to keep the vehicle operational. Despite these repairs, the brake system has continued to produce abnormal noise and the vehicle has experienced ongoing mechanical issues. These types of issues may represent potential safety risks to drivers and passengers if the braking system or transmission were to fail while the vehicle is in operation. I am reporting this issue so that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration can evaluate whether this may represent a broader safety defect affecting this vehicle model or vehicles sold under similar circumstances.
Car (93,000 miles) was operating fine, no check engine nor any other lights. I go into pharmacy come back out get in car to shift gears into drive and I notice the brake pedal sink to floor. As I am driving I notice that when braking it continues to take a longer distance to stop (brake light comes on). I recently had a spinal fusion so my safety and others was put into jeopardy. There was no waring of potential problems and I regularly have the car maintenance with no indication of needing any work done. I noticed all brake fluid was gone so I refilled hoping for the best but the fluid leaked out of the front passenger side brake line causing the fluid to be sprayed everywhere. Since, the problem happened so suddenly I checked for any brake problems concerning my vehicle type and I found that it has a recall for this problem. This has been an inconvenience due to being my only source of transportation, I need to get my meds, recovering from back surgery, now this!
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
the driver side mirror blind spot stopped working and all most hit a vehicle coming up alongside of me. Yes it is available No in October
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while reversing, the back-over prevention camera screen turned off and turned on independently. Additionally, there was a message to contact the dealer displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The rear seatbelt buckle isn't functioning correctly and is causing a seatbelt light. We are now told we have to spend close to $1,000 to get the buckle replaced OR there's a chance my airbags will malfunction across the entire car should I get in an accident.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR FRONT END CRASH. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXCHANGING INFORMATION WITH THE OCCUPANT OF THE OTHER VEHICLE, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED INTO A STONE WALL. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER DID NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE TWO INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V875000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED A USED 2013 LINCOLN MKZ. AS OF OCTOBER 11,2014. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP A TOTAL OF 11 TIMES DUE TO THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS... KEY FAB, RECALL 14S21 SENOR AIR BAG, RECALL 15S16, RECALL 15S14 REPLACE POWER STEERING BOLTS, REPLACE AIR CONDITIONER IN THE CAR, KEY FAB, REDO RECALL FOR DOOR LATCHES, PHONE & RADIO DEVICE, DRIVER FRONT SEAT MOVED UP & DOWN & BACK & FORTH ON IT'S OWN. CAR WAS PUTTING ITSELF IN PARK. RECALL 15S16, CENTER READ CHECK LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS ARE NOW NOT COMING ON AND I JUST PICKED UP TODAY. SO NOW A NEW PROBLEM. I WANT LINCOLN MOTOR COMPANY TO REPURCHASE THIS AUTO BACK. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE WITH DRIVING THIS CAR. MY FAMILY & I VALUE MY LIFE. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS STARTED 9 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED. OCTOBER 20, 2017. THIS IS QUITE CONCERNING. THAT I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS AUTO
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Vehicle: Lincoln MKZ 2013 Dealer: Auto Quest Inc. Description of the Safety Issue: I am submitting this report regarding a vehicle safety concern involving a 2013 Lincoln MKZ that I purchased from Auto Quest Inc. in Renton, Washington. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, within the first few days of ownership, the vehicle began experiencing significant mechanical problems including transmission issues and persistent brake noise that required multiple repair attempts. These problems appeared almost immediately after the purchase, which raises concerns that the vehicle may have had pre-existing mechanical or safety-related defects that were not disclosed at the time of sale. Since purchasing the vehicle I have had to spend thousands of dollars on repairs in order to keep the vehicle operational. Despite these repairs, the brake system has continued to produce abnormal noise and the vehicle has experienced ongoing mechanical issues. These types of issues may represent potential safety risks to drivers and passengers if the braking system or transmission were to fail while the vehicle is in operation. I am reporting this issue so that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration can evaluate whether this may represent a broader safety defect affecting this vehicle model or vehicles sold under similar circumstances.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY HUSBAND WAS EXITING THE PASSENGER SIDE WITH THE DOOR OPEN AND HAD HIS RIGHT HAND ON THE DOOR FRAME, FINGERS ON THE EDGE OF THE ROOF. I HAD JUST SHUT THE CAR OFF AND PUSHED THE BUTTON TO CLOSE THE LARGE PANORAMA SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF IS ABOVE THE CAR AND OVER THE BACK WINDOW WHEN IT'S OPEN, SO IT WAS COMING FORWARD AND DOWN AND CLOSED ON TOP OF HIS FINGERS. HE WAS SCREAMING IN PAIN AND I HAD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, AND QUICKLY PUSH THE BUTTON TO GET THE SUNROOF BACK OPEN AND FREE HIS FINGERS. HIS FINGERS ARE SEVERELY BRUISED TODAY. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY MECHANISM WHERE IF THE ROOF IS CLOSING ON SOMETHING IT REVERSES ITSELF. IF THAT HAD BEEN A CHILD'S FINGERS, I THINK IT'S LIKELY THEY COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .