RoadVitals

2016 Lincoln Mkz Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
63
Latest Jul 15, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
8
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
13
Reports on file since Jun 29, 2016

What this page shows

Our database holds 63 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Lincoln Mkz. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 63 · page 1 of 3

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
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 25, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear passenger's side door independently unlatched and opened. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to close the door, the door failed to close or latch as intended. The contact stated that the contact's grandson was seated in the rear passenger's seat during the failure that occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not inspected. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ID
11746405
Incident
Jun 17, 2025
Mileage
115,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed May 11, 2026

-The front bumper of the car is nearly coming off. This is attached by a "bra" covering the front bumper and if not on the whole front bumper would fall off. The tires/rims are also nearly run down and need to be replaced. -This is caused me great concern when transporting my children as a divorced father to and from the other party's premise. At every turn I believe the bumper may fall off or one of the tires. -UNKNOWN -UNKNOWN -This problem has been happening for at least a year, and I would like for the (front bumper) of the vehicle to be replaced along with four (tires/rims) at the earliest.

NHTSA ID
11737041
Incident
May 1, 2026
Driver assistance
Filed May 6, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera would display a black screen whenever in reverse. The camera would fail the majority of the time when in reverse. The failure related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ID
11735998
Incident
May 6, 2025
Mileage
140,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 23, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became loose, and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact stated that the front end made an abnormal humming sound. The vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist functionality. The contact pulled over, and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ID
11726289
Incident
Mar 23, 2026
Mileage
110,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 10, 2026

regarding the rear view camera. It stopped working intermittently and now it shows the picture inverted (backwards) I see an extensive list of vehicles that have been recalled, but my vin is not listed. How do I get this repaired?

NHTSA ID
11723217
Incident
Aug 1, 2025
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Oct 3, 2025

The back up camera mostly is blank and doesn’t warn me of a vehicle coming from either side resulting in almost getting hit several times

NHTSA ID
11691119
Incident
Apr 24, 2025
Electrical
Filed Sep 25, 2025

Rear camera malfunction in that the image is reversed and the reference lines are missing, fertile lines also appear obstructing view

NHTSA ID
11689668
Incident
Jul 10, 2025
Filed Sep 17, 2025

My back up camera fails the majority of the time. When in reverse it will say camera not available, or it will just go black. And every once in a while it will actually work. I have goiter used to using the camera to check for cars and children behind me. It is hard to see things behind me when I just look out the back window. Yes had a ford dealer look over it and they told me it would be very expensive to have fixed and that they see this problem often on the MKZ. No warning. It just started working intermittently.

NHTSA ID
11687957
Incident
May 5, 2023
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 14, 2025

The issue is the back up camera works correctly sporadically. Often times the screen is blank or says to contact the dealer. I took it to the Ford dealer and said to fix the issue the camera would have to be replaced.

NHTSA ID
11687210
Incident
Mar 1, 2024
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 11, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while shifting into reverse(R), the image on the rear-view camera was frozen or distorted. The contact stated that on other occasions the screen was black. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the back over prevention camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ID
11686595
Incident
Sep 12, 2023
Mileage
70,000 mi
Filed Sep 10, 2025

I have had this problem now for over a year, the backup camera on my 2016 Lincoln MKZ shows a panoramic view of the rear but things are reversed, left is on the right side and visa versa or the screen goes blank and a message states camera unavailable contact dealership. Sometimes it works okay but then goes into one of the two issues mentioned above. I talked with my dealership and they wanted to diagnose it, for a fee, or replace the camera which would be between $500 and $800 but I declined. You have had a few reports of this for the MKZ but just recently Ford issued a recall for this specific issue and symptoms for 2015 to 2019 Mustangs, Lincoln Navigators, Lincoln MKC, Edge, Fusion and others along with the entire F-series pickup trucks. The recall issued indicated a software issue and that any authorized dealership could replace the camera but when talking to my dealership today, Irwin Lincoln/Mazda in Freehold New Jersey, they said since my car/vin isn't currently under the current recall for this they would have to charge me a diagnostic fee and parts/labor to fix what they find. You need to include the 2015 to 2019 MKZ under this recall as I and others have had the exact symptoms indicated on the current recall for the backup camera.

NHTSA ID
11686316
Incident
Jul 19, 2024
Electrical
Filed Aug 22, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost automotive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Prior to the failure, the vehicle had been taken to a local dealer on several occasions for a START/STOP repair, and other unknown repairs; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the same local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the results were unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

NHTSA ID
11682319
Incident
Jun 15, 2025
Mileage
101,000 mi
Filed Aug 11, 2025

We own a 2016 Lincoln MKZ hybrid that is having issues with the backup camera randomly going blank, or significant delays at random times. Ford/Lincoln addressed the exact issue as a software recall in other models under Recall 25S72, but failed to list our vehicle. This is becoming a big issue with safety not having the backup camera working with the way the rear window is placed, it is difficult to see certain areas behind you. Since this was already identified as a software issue by Lincoln/Ford, we would like to see them extend the recall include our vehicle. This randomly has been happening for the last month.

NHTSA ID
11679988
Incident
Aug 11, 2025
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 17, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera was inoperable, and the message "Camera Is Unavailable" was displayed. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 43,800.

NHTSA ID
11674318
Incident
Apr 1, 2025
Mileage
43,800 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 14, 2025

My MKZ started slowly losing coolant and running rough particularly upon starting the engine. Two days later the overheating warning came on and I pulled over and shut off the engine. Sioux Falls Ford has diagnosed it as coolant intrusion in the engine requiring a new engine block.

NHTSA ID
11666907
Incident
Jun 11, 2025
Engine
Filed Jun 3, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated with smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle lost motive power but was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11664541
Incident
Jun 3, 2025
Mileage
120,000 mi
Filed May 12, 2025

Backup camera is showing opposite side. Left side is on yhe right and right side is on the left

NHTSA ID
11660488
Incident
Jun 10, 2024
Electrical
Filed Dec 20, 2024

I’ve had my car for 7 months and the power steering went out. Not able drive until repaired for $2000.

NHTSA ID
11631723
Incident
Dec 13, 2024
Engine
Filed Nov 11, 2024

Eco Boost 2.0 Coolant Intrusion to Cylinders Needs new motor, very well known issue by Ford and they are not willing to pay for repairs

NHTSA ID
11624562
Incident
Oct 22, 2024
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 29, 2024

My power steering electric system doesn’t work, the steering gear motor may have detached from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds

NHTSA ID
11597690
Incident
May 16, 2024
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
Other / unspecified
Filed Jan 22, 2024

I brought my 2016 MKZ in for a Safety Recall on front brake hoses. I was told that the lug nuts were swollen and would have to be replaced and would cost 💲 166.27. Had to do it to have the brake hoses replaced. They were replaced with the same type of aluminum lug nuts. This defective type lug nut has been a problem for over 10 years yet nothing has been done to change it. Luckily I didn’t have a flat tire I couldn’t have changed.

NHTSA ID
11567022
Incident
Jan 18, 2024
Steering
Filed Jan 6, 2024

Steering wheel is wobbly and loose

NHTSA ID
11563905
Incident
Nov 24, 2023
Mileage
102,990 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 26, 2023

Check engine light came on, car ran hot, and emitted smoke. It also began to run rough. Frightening to say the least. I immediately drove home and took it to my mechanic the next day. He found coolant leaked into cylinder 3. He did research and found tons of reports of the same problem with the Ford 2.0 eco boost engine. Several people reported engine seizing, smoke, or fires. This is a safety hazard.

NHTSA ID
11540859
Incident
Aug 22, 2023

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.

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