YearToAvoid

Lincoln Best and Worst Years by Model

9 Lincoln models, 3,731 NHTSA owner complaints and 179 recall campaigns for model years 2010–2025. Pick a model to see which years to avoid and which are the safest bets.

Lincoln models ranked by owner complaints

Sorted by popularity. Years to avoid / best years come from each model’s own Complaint Index.

ModelYearsComplaintsRecallsYears to avoidBest yearsTop issue
Lincoln MKX2010–2020799202011, 2013, 20162015Brakes
Lincoln MKZ2010–20201,007322010, 2011, 20122018, 2019Airbags
Lincoln Aviator2020–2025239492020, 20222023, 2024Electrical System
Lincoln Corsair2020–2025170342022, 20242023, 2025Electrical System
Lincoln MKC2015–2019594142015, 20172016Engine
Lincoln MKS2010–2016318112011, 20132012Steering
Lincoln MKT2010–2019292142010, 2013, 20142011, 2018Steering
Lincoln Continental2017–2020134520172020Structure & Body
Lincoln MKZ Hybrid2011–202017802011, 2012, 2014—Steering

Lincoln model years with the most complaints

Raw complaint counts (not adjusted for age or sales). Click through for the breakdown.

  1. 2017 Lincoln MKC · 190 complaints · 3 recalls Avoid
  2. 2010 Lincoln MKZ · 169 complaints · 7 recalls Avoid
  3. 2013 Lincoln MKX · 163 complaints · 1 recalls Avoid
  4. 2016 Lincoln MKX · 155 complaints · 7 recalls Avoid
  5. 2011 Lincoln MKX · 149 complaints · 3 recalls Avoid
  6. 2012 Lincoln MKZ · 146 complaints · 5 recalls Avoid
  7. 2011 Lincoln MKZ · 145 complaints · 5 recalls Avoid
  8. 2013 Lincoln MKS · 142 complaints · 7 recalls Avoid
  9. 2017 Lincoln MKZ · 139 complaints · 4 recalls Caution
  10. 2015 Lincoln MKC · 131 complaints · 12 recalls Avoid

How we rank Lincoln years

For each model we compare its own model years using the Complaint Index: complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and “Do Not Drive” recalls reported to NHTSA, adjusted for how long each year has been on the road. The top quarter of a model’s years is marked Avoid, the bottom quarter Best. Because NHTSA publishes no sales data, models are not ranked against each other. Full details in the methodology.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.