2016 Lincoln MKZ Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2016 Lincoln MKZ has a complaint index of 36, ranking 10th out of 15 model years, and earns a Good verdict relative to other MKZ years. NHTSA lists 64 complaints, 6 recalls, and 8 crashes, with brakes as the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 36/100
- #10 of 15 MKZ years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 64
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 8
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2016 Lincoln MKZ problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes14 (22%)
- Steering12 (19%)
- Electrical System11 (17%)
- Airbags9 (14%)
- Engine7 (11%)
- Other6 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (8%)
- Structure & Body4 (6%)
- Seat Belts3 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly fail to respond when the pedal is pressed, in one case causing a crash into a pole despite the vehicle having motion-sensor braking assist.
- Owners describe sudden unexpected braking or lurching, including a case where the brakes failed with no warning light until after impact.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a t-bone collision, leading to injuries the owner attributed to the non-deployment.
- Some owners report airbags deploying unexpectedly or too early, including deployment before impact in a rear-end collision.
- One owner described sudden deceleration from highway speed to 20 mph with dashboard error codes and loss of engine power.
- A steering wheel recall repair was reported as delayed due to unavailable parts.
2016 Lincoln MKZ recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V775000Nov 17, 2023Structure & Body45,173 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Fiesta, 2016 Fusion, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A component inside the door latches may break, which can make it difficult to latch or possibly allow the doors to open while driving.
Risk: Vehicle doors opening unexpectedly while driving can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the door latch date codes and if necessary, replace all four side door latches, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S15. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-177.
- 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 20V177000Mar 23, 2020Structure & Body288,110 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Fiesta, 2014-2016 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 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 Ford or Lincoln dealers will replace the side door latches, free of charge. The recall began September 21, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S15.
2016 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.
2016 compared with other MKZ years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Lincoln MKZ reliable?
- Relative to other MKZ model years, the 2016 rates Good, with a complaint index of 36 and a rank of 10th out of 15 years tracked by NHTSA data.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Lincoln MKZ?
- Brakes lead complaints at 22% share, followed by steering at 19%, electrical system at 17%, and airbags at 14%, according to NHTSA owner complaints.
- Does the 2016 Lincoln MKZ have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2016 MKZ, covering brakes, steering, structure/body door latches, and a fuel tank replacement, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 MKZ compare to other Lincoln MKZ years?
- The 2016 model year performs better than years like 2008 and 2010, which are rated Avoid with complaint indexes of 93 and 100, and better than 2018 and 2019, which rate Best with lower indexes of 21 and 14.
- What mileage do problems typically appear at on the 2016 MKZ?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 56,500 for the 2016 MKZ overall, with brake complaints centered around 50,500 miles and airbag complaints around 30,006 miles.