2017 Lincoln MKZ Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
70/100
#4 most-complained of 11 MKZ years
The 2017 Lincoln MKZ has 139 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and a complaint index of 70, ranking 4th worst of 11 model years — a Caution year. Engine problems dominate at 61% of complaints, with median failure mileage of 75,300.
- Complaints
- 139
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 27.5 hwy
Top 2017 Lincoln MKZ problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine85 (61%)
- Transmission & Powertrain24 (17%)
- Brakes16 (12%)
- Electrical System13 (9%)
- Other12 (9%)
- Fuel System9 (6%)
- Steering6 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (4%)
- Airbags4 (3%)
- Structure & Body3 (2%)
What owners report
- Engine loses power suddenly while driving, sometimes triggering a "see manual" warning light and stalling in traffic.
- Owners report engine fires, in one case following head gasket and fuel pump line failures with oil leaking near hot components.
- Torque steer pulls the steering wheel hard to one side under acceleration on twin-turbo equipped models.
- Touch screen shuts down and reboots itself while driving, along with faulty headlight switch controls.
- Owners describe needing full engine replacements, sometimes followed by transmission problems and repair mistakes at the dealer.
- Brake pads crack and produce noise and odor when backing up, alongside unrelated fuel delivery stalling issues.
2017 Lincoln MKZ recalls
4 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 18V390000Jun 11, 2018Transmission & Powertrain25 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:torque converter
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford Edge and 2017 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.
Risk: If the torque converter weld studs fail, the torque converter will not be connected to the engine flexplate and the vehicle will lose the ability to move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converters, free of charge. The recall began on July 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S16 (S2). Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 17V-427.
- NHTSA 18V167000Mar 12, 2018Steering1,301,986 vehicles
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.
Risk: A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.
2017 Lincoln MKZ fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 27.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 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.
2017 compared with other MKZ years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Lincoln MKZ reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2017 MKZ a complaint index of 70 and a Caution verdict, ranking 4th worst among 11 model years of the MKZ. Engine complaints make up 61% of the total 139 complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Lincoln MKZ?
- Engine problems are the top issue, accounting for 85 of 139 complaints (61%), with a median failure mileage of 75,300 and 4 reported fires.
- Does the 2017 Lincoln MKZ have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2017 MKZ: front brake hose rupture, two separate torque converter weld stud recalls affecting the transmission, and a steering wheel retaining bolt recall.
- How does the 2017 MKZ compare to other years?
- The 2017 model's complaint index of 70 is worse than 2013-2016 and 2018-2019, but better than 2010-2012, which had complaint indexes of 100, 80, and 90 and Avoid verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Lincoln MKZ?
- EPA rates the 2017 MKZ at 22 mpg combined (19 city / 27.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.