YearToAvoid

2017 Lincoln MKZ Engine Problems

Engine complaints account for 85 of 139 total complaints (61%) filed on the 2017 Lincoln MKZ, the highest share of any year in this data. Owners report power loss, stalling, coolant leaking into cylinders, and full engine replacements, with a median failure mileage of 75,300 miles. NHTSA lists no related recall for this issue.

Engine complaints
85
61% of 139
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
75,300 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine loses power or stalls suddenly while driving, sometimes triggering a 'see manual' warning light and requiring the car to coast to a stop.
  • Coolant leaks internally into engine cylinders, leading dealers to diagnose failed pistons and recommend full engine replacement.
  • Carbon buildup on intake valves and a cracked spark plug caused hard power loss during hard acceleration on the freeway.
  • Owners report engine misfire codes followed by loss of compression, described by a dealer as a common flaw on 2017-2019 engines.
  • Some owners experienced under-hood fires linked to fuel pump bolts coming loose and oil or fluid leaking onto hot engine components.
  • Vehicle stalls when fuel level drops below half a tank, a pattern owners compare to issues Ford addressed on other engine families.

When 2017 Lincoln MKZ engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 13, 2017, latest Sep 22, 2026.

2017 Lincoln MKZ engine complaints: complaints filed per month5Jul 2017Oct 2021Mar 2023Oct 2023Aug 2024Mar 2025Sep 2025Apr 2026
85 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2017 to Sep 2026; peak Aug 2025 (5).

Engine recalls for the 2017 Lincoln MKZ

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by MKZ model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201015 (9%)
  2. 201120 (14%)
  3. 20127 (5%)
  4. 201313 (12%)
  5. 201412 (12%)
  6. 20159 (11%)
  7. 20167 (11%)
  8. 201785 (61%)
  9. 201814 (41%)
  10. 20197 (35%)
  11. 20200 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2017 Lincoln MKZ?
Engine complaints make up 85 of the 139 total complaints filed for the 2017 MKZ, or 61% of all complaints for that year, the highest engine-complaint share of any MKZ model year in the data.
Is there a recall for the 2017 Lincoln MKZ engine?
No. NHTSA lists no related recalls tied to the engine complaints for the 2017 Lincoln MKZ.
At what mileage do 2017 Lincoln MKZ engine problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for these engine complaints is 75,300 miles.
Did the 2017 Lincoln MKZ engine issues cause any crashes or fires?
NHTSA data tied to this engine issue includes 4 crashes, 4 fires, and 3 injuries reported by owners.
Are engine complaints worse for the 2017 MKZ than other years?
Yes. The 2017 model year's 61% engine-complaint share is far higher than nearby years, such as 41% in 2018 and 35% in 2019, and well above years like 2012 at 5%.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.