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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Lincoln MKZ Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2016 Lincoln MKZ has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 64 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Lincoln dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Lincoln MKZ, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2016 Lincoln MKZ owner complaints

Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Lincoln MKZ, describing incidents dated March 24, 2016 to June 19, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Service Brakes 14 complaints
  • Steering 12 complaints
  • Electrical System 11 complaints
  • Air Bags 9 complaints
  • Engine 7 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 6 complaints

Of the 64 complaints on file, 8 report a crash; across all 64 complaints, owners report 6 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11765848 · Filed

    Catalytic Converter P0420 issue that cannot be fixed.

  • ODI #11750514 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the brake light had remained illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the vehicle was unoccupied. In addition, the contact stated that while the vehicle was…

  • ODI #11746405 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear passenger's side door independently unlatched and opened. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to close the door, the door failed to close or latch as…

Read all 64 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2016 Lincoln MKZ, or a version of it filed under another name, in 4 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Doors May Open While Driving

NHTSA #23V775000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Doors — Latch · NHTSA notice

Reported November 17, 2023 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 45,173 vehicles

Repair completion: 33.23% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 20S15 · Owners notified December 20, 2023 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Vehicle doors opening unexpectedly while driving can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Front Brake Hoses May Rupture

NHTSA #23V162000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported March 10, 2023 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 1,280,726 vehicles

Repair completion: 44.67% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 23S12 · Owners notified June 27, 2023 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.

Safety consequence

A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Headlamps May Not Function Properly/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #20E025000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported April 24, 2020 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 130 vehicles

Repair completion: 23.08% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 20C10 · Owners notified June 3, 2020

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Replacement Headlamps, part number DP5Z-13008-T and DP5Z-13008-V, sold for use with 2013-2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The headlamps may have an improper beam pattern and incorrect horizontal adjustment, the side markers may not illuminate and DOT markings may be missing. As such, these headlamps fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Safety consequence

The incorrect headlamps may reduce the driver's visibility or make the vehicle less visible, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify vehicle manufacturers, and dealers will inspect the headlamps, and replace the headlamps, as necessary, free of charge. Additionally, Ford will instruct dealers to return all improper headlamps and not to install them on any vehicles. The recall began June 3, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C10.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Doors May Open While Driving

NHTSA #20V177000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Doors — Latch · NHTSA notice

Reported March 23, 2020 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 288,110 vehicles

Repair completion: 64.09% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 20S15 · Owners notified September 21, 2020 · Vehicles built November 1, 2013 – April 27, 2015 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Steering Gear Motor May Detach

NHTSA #19V632000 · Steering — Electric Power Assist System · NHTSA notice

Reported August 29, 2019 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 116,160 vehicles

Repair completion: 63.7% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 19S26 · Owners notified October 18, 2019 · Vehicles built October 10, 2012 – June 28, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.

Safety consequence

If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S26.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Steering Wheel may Detach

NHTSA #18V167000 · Steering — Steering Wheel/Handle Bar · NHTSA notice

Reported March 12, 2018 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 1,301,986 vehicles

Repair completion: 76.77% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 18S08 · Owners notified April 30, 2018 · Vehicles built July 25, 2013 – March 2, 2018 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Tank may Crack in a Crash/FMVSS 301

NHTSA #15V618000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage · NHTSA notice

Reported October 1, 2015 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 658 vehicles

Repair completion: 88.15% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 15C11 · Owners notified October 19, 2015 · Vehicles built September 3, 2015 – September 12, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 13, 2015, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a fuel tank that may have insufficent wall thickness. As a result, the fuel tanks may crack in the event of a crash and thus the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

Safety consequence

A fuel tank that cracks may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C11.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Lincoln MKZ model years

Check your 2016 Lincoln MKZ VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lincoln MKZ at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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