2013 Lincoln MKZ Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Lincoln MKZ has a complaint index of 43 with 109 complaints and 12 recalls, ranking 9th worst out of 15 model years. NHTSA capped its verdict at Caution because of the 12 recall campaigns despite a moderate complaint index. Top reported problem area is Structure & Body.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 43/100
- #9 of 15 MKZ years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 109
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 12
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23.5
- 20.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2013 Lincoln MKZ problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body24 (22%)
- Electrical System18 (17%)
- Steering16 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain15 (14%)
- Engine13 (12%)
- Seat Belts12 (11%)
- Other11 (10%)
- Brakes10 (9%)
- Fuel System8 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle unexpectedly shifting from drive to neutral, low, or park while still moving, sometimes at low speed during turns.
- Some describe the push-to-start button being accidentally brushed, causing the engine to stall at highway speed without warning.
- Several complaints describe fuel line failures with a gasoline odor and fuel leaking at a fast rate, sometimes tied to an unfulfilled recall repair.
- Owners report the electric parking brake displaying a limited-function warning message shortly after taking delivery of the vehicle.
- One owner reported the vehicle lurching forward into a canal after being placed in park, referencing a related hybrid recall.
- A driver reported the vehicle unintentionally moving into a stone wall after a minor front-end crash, with seat belt pretensioner and airbags not restraining the occupant.
2013 Lincoln MKZ recalls
12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V162000Mar 10, 2023Brakes1,280,726 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Risk: A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.
- NHTSA 20V331000Jun 8, 2020Structure & Body2,147,323 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
- NHTSA 19V632000Aug 29, 2019Steering116,160 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
Risk: If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S26.
2013 Lincoln MKZ fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 23.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,775
- 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.
2013 compared with other MKZ years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Lincoln MKZ reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2013 MKZ a complaint index of 43 and ranks it 9th worst out of 15 model years, with a Caution verdict driven mainly by 12 recall campaigns.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Lincoln MKZ?
- Structure & Body complaints lead at 22% of reports, followed by Electrical System at 17%, Steering at 15%, and Transmission & Powertrain at 14%.
- Does the 2013 Lincoln MKZ have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2013 MKZ, covering brakes, structure & body (door latches), steering, and seat belts, none of them do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2013 MKZ compare to other MKZ years?
- Its complaint index of 43 is lower than the 2007-2010 Avoid years (index 79 to 100) but higher than the 2016, 2018, and 2019 Good or Best years.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2013 MKZ?
- Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 44,500 miles, though Electrical System issues showed up much earlier, around 8,865 miles.