2014 Lincoln MKZ Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2014 Lincoln MKZ has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 8th worst out of 15 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 97 complaints, 13 recall campaigns, and steering as the top problem area with 25 complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #8 of 15 MKZ years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 97
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 13
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23.5
- 20.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2014 Lincoln MKZ problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering25 (26%)
- Electrical System17 (18%)
- Structure & Body13 (13%)
- Engine12 (12%)
- Other11 (11%)
- Brakes10 (10%)
- Fuel System10 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel loosened or detached while driving, in one case causing a rear-end crash at slow speed.
- Brakes failed to respond in stop-and-go traffic, with the car not stopping until it hit the vehicle ahead.
- Push-button shift control led to unintended acceleration or the car rolling on its own without the brake pressed.
- Transmission shifted independently, including shifting out of park while off and rolling into a barrier.
- Tires developed sidewall blisters at low mileage, requiring replacement.
- A loud bang near the front wheel area preceded brakes seizing and the vehicle swerving into a guard rail.
2014 Lincoln MKZ recalls
13 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 22V011000Jan 13, 2022Brakes199,085 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Fusion, Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 Mustang vehicles originally sold or ever registered, in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Hawaii. Exposure to certain environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, high humidity, and salt air can cause the brake pedal bumper to corrode and separate from the brake pedal.
Risk: A separated brake pedal bumper can cause the brake lights to illuminate continuously, causing confusion to other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash. On automatic transmission vehicles, a missing brake pedal bumper can allow the driver to shift the vehicle out of the "PARK" position without depressing the brake, allowing the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake pedal bumpers and clutch pedal bumpers, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on March 4, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 13, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S02.
- 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.
2014 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.
2014 compared with other MKZ years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Lincoln MKZ reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014 MKZ carries a Complaint Index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among 15 model years of the MKZ.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2014 Lincoln MKZ?
- Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 25 of 97 complaints (26%), including reports of the steering wheel detaching or losing response while driving.
- Does the 2014 Lincoln MKZ have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 2014 MKZ, covering brakes, steering, structure and body (door latches), and seat belts. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2014 MKZ compare to other years?
- With a Complaint Index of 50, the 2014 MKZ is worse than the 2018 and 2019 MKZ (Best verdicts, indexes of 21 and 14) but better than the 2007-2010 MKZ years, which are all rated Avoid.
- At what mileage do problems typically appear on the 2014 MKZ?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 60,500 miles, though steering problems trend higher at 65,000 miles and suspension issues lower at 46,400 miles.