2015 Lincoln MKZ Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 Lincoln MKZ has a complaint index of 29, 82 complaints, and 10 recall campaigns, ranking 11th worst of 15 model years. NHTSA caps its verdict at Caution because of the recall count, even though its complaint index is lower than most other years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 29/100
- #11 of 15 MKZ years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 82
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2015 Lincoln MKZ problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System17 (21%)
- Brakes16 (20%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (16%)
- Engine9 (11%)
- Steering8 (10%)
- Structure & Body8 (10%)
- Airbags7 (9%)
- Other7 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (7%)
- Seat Belts5 (6%)
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 unintended movement at low speed while trying to brake, in one case crashing into a building with airbags failing to deploy.
- Some describe the steering going unresponsive during a slow turn, accompanied by a popping noise, leading to a curb impact.
- Drivers report the car feeling unstable and hard to control on snow or wet roads, unable to stop or turn as expected.
- One owner described sudden acceleration to about 10 MPH while stopped with a foot on the brake, striking the vehicle ahead twice.
- Electrical problems include a car that stopped working entirely after sitting in a garage, dim backup lighting, and repeated visits for intermittent electrical and sensor faults.
- A transmission was reported to shift hard between gears starting around 24,000 miles, requiring a rebuild after fluid leaks were found.
2015 Lincoln MKZ recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V695000Oct 13, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,448,655 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
- 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.
2015 Lincoln MKZ fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,850
- 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.
2015 compared with other MKZ years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Lincoln MKZ reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2015 MKZ a complaint index of 29 out of the 15 model years tracked, ranking 11th worst. Its verdict is Caution, capped by 10 recall campaigns rather than by complaint volume alone.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Lincoln MKZ?
- Electrical System complaints are the top problem area with 17 complaints (21% share), followed by Brakes with 16 complaints (20%) and Collision Avoidance & Cameras with 13 complaints (16%).
- Does the 2015 Lincoln MKZ have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2015 MKZ, covering brakes, steering, seat belts, structure/body, and a rearview camera, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2015 MKZ compare to other MKZ years?
- The 2015 model's complaint index of 29 is better than 2007-2014 model years, which range from 43 to 100, but it still falls below the Good/Best-rated 2016 (36), 2018 (21), and 2019 (14) model years.