RoadVitals

2016 Lincoln Mkz Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Jul 15, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
22%
of 63 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Lincoln Mkz submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Brakes
Filed Jul 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the brake light had remained illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the vehicle was unoccupied. In addition, the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the gear shifter independently shifted out of park. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failed brake pedal bumper stop. The contact was informed that the brake pedal bumper stop was detached and caused the brake light to remain illuminated. The contact was advised to contact the dealer. The contact was informed of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

NHTSA ID
11750514
Incident
Jun 19, 2026
Mileage
72,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 11, 2024

While driving a complete loss of brake incident occurred. The brake pedal got still, and the car would not stop. Luckily, we were close to home and was able to slow down enough to turn around and get home slowly. Upon investigation it was found the coupler (Part that connects camshaft to brake pump) failed causing the brake pump to not work. This situation is extremely dangerous as we had no prior warning to failure. Even the complete loss of brakes did not have any indicator lights during the incident. Considering the operation of the coupler, how could something so small and so important be weak enough to snap internally, causing a complete loss of brakes with no warning.

NHTSA ID
11582280
Incident
Apr 10, 2024
Brakes
Filed Aug 3, 2023
Crash reported

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, another vehicle intercepted his lane from the left, and when depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle independently shifted to the right causing the vehicle to hit a curb and damaging the front passenger side tire. No air bags deployed. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA ID
11536310
Incident
Aug 2, 2023
Mileage
68,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 14, 2023

I had gotten off the highway to pick up a package. When I started to pull out of the driveway my brake pedal went all the way to the floor. Thankfully I was only going a couple miles an hour and there was enough braking that I was able to stop. I had gotten the recall notice a week prior and the letter said that there would be additional notification when parts were available. I was incredibly lucky!!

NHTSA ID
11521875
Incident
May 2, 2023
Brakes
Filed May 11, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11521607
Incident
Mar 13, 2023
Brakes
Filed May 2, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake warning light, the ABS warning light, and the brake fluid warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that she depressed the brake pedal to slow the vehicle; however, she had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard for the vehicle to stop. The dealer was notified of the failure and the vehicle was scheduled to be towed. The vehicle had not yet been diagnosed ore repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,503. VIN tool confirms parts not available

NHTSA ID
11519987
Incident
May 1, 2023
Mileage
141,503 mi
Brakes
Filed May 1, 2023

2016 LINCOLN MKZ. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE RELATED TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 23V-162.

NHTSA ID
11519758
Incident
May 1, 2023
Brakes
Filed Apr 28, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brake pedal became stiff. The contact self-inspected the vehicle and noticed an excessive amount of fluid underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who inspected the vehicle and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11519404
Incident
Apr 27, 2023
BrakesInterior & seats
Filed Apr 24, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the front brake flexible hose inspection. The contact stated that while the dealer was conducting the inspection, the hood failed to open after several attempts. The dealer then lubricated the hood latch and was able to open the hood after several attempts. The dealer informed the contact that the brake fluid was at the minimum level. The contact stated that she was concerned that she would not be able to monitor the brake fluid level due to hood latch failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11518717
Incident
Apr 21, 2023
Mileage
33,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 22, 2022
Crash reported

Sunday, Sept 11, 2022, 2:55 pm. Was stopped at light at 16/Mound in Warren, MI. My car lurched forward while I had my foot firmly on Brake, the brakes had failed, but no warning lamps were activated till after the crash. I bumped the vehicle in front of me, an older model Jeep. No one was injured. My hood was pushed in, front bumper and lighted were damaged. Little damage to back bumper of Jeep. Warren Police came and issued an Incident Report. I DID NOT receive a traffic ticket Insurance damage to my car was $7,000 I had received a Notice from Lincoln(attached) in early Sept, 2022 (Customer Satisfaction Program 22N02) warning that "brake fluid may leak from one or both front brake flexible hoses." I had noticed some drops of either oil or brake fluid and was going to schedule an appointment with Lincoln, but the crash happened. Since the vehicle is currently in the collision shop, the brake lines have not yet been examined. The Police officer did see the warning light THAT WENT ON AFTER THE CRASH and said he would note it in his report.

NHTSA ID
11485863
Incident
Sep 11, 2022
Brakes
Filed Jul 28, 2022

While driving, my passenger front brake line bursted. This is not normal and should not have happened. I had my kids in the car. I was able to coast into a parking lot to get off the road. There was no road hazards either at the time of the incident. There is no know cause to me as to why this happened. There is a known recall for this happening but not tied to my specific vin.

NHTSA ID
11476282
Incident
Jul 27, 2022
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 7, 2022

The brake light switch assembly failed. The car's brake light will not go off. Other drivers do not know if you are braking. The dealer can not fix it until next week, meanwhile, it is dangerous to drive. This brake switch assembly is under recall for 2014 MKZ and 2015 MKZ. It looks to be the same assembly on the 2016 MKZ. There was no warning. The brake lights come on while parked in the driveway and won't go off.

NHTSA ID
11463712
Incident
May 6, 2022
AirbagsBrakes
Filed May 22, 2019
Crash reported3 injuries reported

A VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE A CAR DID THE SAME IN FRONT OF THEM. I BRAKED SUDDENLY BUT IT FELT LIKE MY VEHICLE WAS BEING PUSHED FROM BEHIND, MY STEERING WHEEL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED SO DID THE SIDES. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BEFORE THE IMPACT BLINDING ME AS I REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT. I SUFFERED BURNS, BRUISES, NECK INJURIES AND LOWER BACK PAIN. I WAS DRIVING NO MORE THAN 25-30 MILES PER HOUR. MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOST AND I HAD OWNED IT FOR LESS THAN A YEAR.

NHTSA ID
11209161
Incident
May 1, 2019
Mileage
30,006 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jun 29, 2016
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH MOTION SENSORS TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN AN OBJECT WAS NEAR, BUT THEY FAILED TO OPERATE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA ID
10881524
Incident
Mar 24, 2016
Mileage
18,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .