YearToAvoid

2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 10 MKZ Hybrid years

The 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid has a Complaint Index of 100, the highest of all 10 model years covered, ranking it worst (rank 1) with a verdict of Avoid. Brakes drove 48% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 105,000 miles.

Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
6 / 0
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
38
38 city / 37 hwy

Top 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes13 (48%)
  2. Engine3 (11%)
  3. Fuel System3 (11%)
  4. Structure & Body3 (11%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (11%)
  6. Other2 (7%)
  7. Seat Belts2 (7%)
  8. Electrical System1 (4%)
  9. Steering1 (4%)
  10. Transmission & Powertrain1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners report brakes failing to stop the car despite pressing the pedal with both feet, leading to rear-end collisions.
  • Some describe the vehicle rapidly accelerating on its own while stationary after depressing the brake pedal, resulting in a crash.
  • Rear tires reportedly blew out unexpectedly, in one case lifting the vehicle off the ground and spinning it.
  • Owners report the car rolling on its own or shifting into gear without the driver pressing the brake, even when the engine was off.
  • Some describe repeated tire failures over the life of a lease, with tires needing replacement multiple times from minor road hazards.
  • Owners report delays receiving parts for a front passenger seat belt restraint recall, with no repair date available for months.
2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month8Jan 2015Nov 2015Mar 2017Sep 2017Mar 2019Nov 2022May 2023Jul 2023
32 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2015 to Aug 2026; peak May 2023 (8).

2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
38 MPG
Highway
37 MPG
Combined
38 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,700
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2014 compared with other MKZ Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Avoid8959038
2013Good4412038
2014Avoid10027038
2015Caution6712040
2016Good336040

All Lincoln MKZ Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints, the 2014 model has a Complaint Index of 100, the highest among the 10 model years with data, and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other MKZ Hybrid years.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid?
Brakes account for 48% of complaints (13 of 27), with a median failure mileage of 105,000 miles. Engine, fuel system, structure and body, and suspension issues each account for 11% of complaints.
Does the 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls specifically logged for the 2014 model year in this data, and 0 of those are do-not-drive recalls. However, sample complaints reference recall campaigns 16S42 and 17V210000 related to seat belts and latches/locks.
How does the 2014 model compare to other Lincoln MKZ Hybrid years?
The 2014 model's Complaint Index of 100 is higher than every other year listed, including 2012 (89), 2011 (78), and 2017 (56), making 2014 the worst-ranked year in this dataset.
Were there any injuries reported for the 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid?
NHTSA complaints for this year report 4 injuries and 6 crashes, with no fires or deaths recorded.

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.