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Your vehicleHome›Lincoln›MKZ› 2016
Lincoln · Midsize Sedan

2016 Lincoln MKZ

Hybrid Gas
Midsize Cars
5 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
D
Safety Signal
60 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls1 critical 6
Complaints8 crash · 6 injured reported 71
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 40 mpg
20202019201820172016

The 2016 Lincoln MKZ is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas midsize sedan with 5 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the MKZ Hybrid FWD, is EPA-rated at 40 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 71 complaints, most often about the service brakes. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Lincoln MKZ — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Lincoln MKZ (2005 generation) · Photo: Navigator84 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
MKZ Hybrid FWDHybridFWD2.0L 4-cyl + 280V Li-Ion413940$1,700
MKZ FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223326$2,600
MKZ AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223125$2,700
MKZ FWDGasFWD3.7L 6-cyl182721$3,200
MKZ AWDGasAWD3.7L 6-cyl172420$3,350

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36161, 36163, 36162, 36164, 36165.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
MKZ Hybrid FWD7–9 / 10Bin 3 / PZEVAll 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay
MKZ AWD, MKZ FWD5–6 / 10Bin 5 / LEV-II ULEVAll 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSedan/Saloon
Doors4
GVWR classClass 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement2 L
Engine configurationIn-Line

Engine Output

Horsepower240 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Transmission

DrivetrainFWD/Front-Wheel Drive

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim. Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length194.1 in
Width (body, without mirrors)73.2 in
Height58.3 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Track, front62.2 in
Track, rear62.2 in
Curb weight3,827–4,001 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear59/41

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 2 configurations: 2.0L/Hybrid 4-door Sedan, 3.7L AWD 4-door Sedan. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2016 MKZ
Other years The 2020 MKZ Recalls Lincoln recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Lincoln MKZ is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (6)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Latches/Locks/Linkages

20S15
45,173 vehicles 33% reported repaired
Problem 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V775000 reported Nov 17, 2023 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

23S12
1,280,726 vehicles 45% reported repaired
Problem 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V162000 reported Mar 10, 2023 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Latches/Locks/Linkages

20S15
288,110 vehicles 64% reported repaired built Nov 1, 2013 – Apr 27, 2015
Problem 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V177000 reported Mar 23, 2020 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Steering

19S26
116,160 vehicles 64% reported repaired built Oct 10, 2012 – Jun 28, 2015
Problem 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. Risk 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V632000 reported Aug 29, 2019 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Steering

18S08
1,301,986 vehicles 77% reported repaired built Jul 25, 2013 – Mar 2, 2018
Problem 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V167000 reported Mar 12, 2018 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

15C11
658 vehicles 88% reported repaired built Sep 3, 2015 – Sep 12, 2015
Problem 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." Risk A fuel tank that cracks may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire. Fix 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.
NHTSA campaign 15V618000 reported Oct 1, 2015 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021. On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject mat

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005 · the investigation’s page →

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings — Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures closed

On August 8, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 50 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging front brake jounce hose ruptures on model year (MY) 2013-2018 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. A ruptured front brake hose results in a brake fluid leak. As a result, the driver may experience an increase in pedal travel and a reduction in the rate of deceleration, increasing the risk of a crash. It should be noted that the subject vehicles identified fell outside the scope of NHTSA Safety Recall 20V-469, which addressed front brake hoses rupturing on certain MY 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The result causes a brake fl

Opened Aug 8, 2022 · closed Mar 24, 2023 · action RQ22004 · the investigation’s page →

Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf. Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a subst

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002 · the investigation’s page →

Structure:Body — Door Latch Failures closed

In December 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 235 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while driving, on model year (MY) 2012-2014 Ford Fiesta, and 2013-2014 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ. Some VOQs reported the failure occurred after the latch had been remedied under a prior recall which involved fracture of the latch pawl spring tab due to thermally induced cyclic fatigue. Other VOQs alleged a similar failure in vehicles not previously recalled. A latch with a fractured pawl spring tab typically results in a ?door will not close? condition, however in certain somewhat rare circu

Opened Dec 19, 2019 · closed Feb 7, 2022 · action RQ19005 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific MKZ

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2016 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Lincoln publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Lincoln’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2016 Lincoln MKZ, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2016 Lincoln MKZ

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this MKZ →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
71complaints filed

8 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 6 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 3 · 2017: 6 · 2018: 5 · 2019: 5 · 2020: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2022: 6 · 2023: 12 · 2024: 6 · 2025: 12 · 2026: 9

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 14
Steering 12
Electrical System 11
Air Bags 11
Engine 7
Unspecified 7

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

When I was at the dealership today, I was informed the lug nuts on my car have swollen and that if they are not replaced I probably will not be able to change a spare tire alongside the road if needed. I was informed that there is a manufacturing defect that Ford is aware of, but has not recalled yet
Wheels Jun 27, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11471197
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera was intermittently inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000
Back Over Prevention at 100,000 miles Oct 13, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11770858
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that the driver's side seat belt failed to function as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the part to do the repair was not available. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 16S42 (Pretensioner Cable).
Seat Belts at 86,000 miles Apr 7, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11515922
A vehicle stopped suddenly in front of me because a car did the same in front of them. I braked suddenly but it felt like my vehicle was being pushed from behind, my steering wheel air bags deployed so did the sides. The air bags deployed before the impact blinding me as I rear ended the car in front.
Air Bags at 30,006 miles May 22, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11209161
I was driving on the freeway when the steering on my car became very difficult and “wobbly”. It was hard to keep it going straight. I knew something was wrong and when I got home, I told my husband to check my tires.
Electrical System Mar 23, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11513426
Sunday, Sept 11, 2022, 2:55 pm. Was stopped at light at 16/Mound in Warren, MI. My car lurched forward while I had my foot firmly on Brake, the brakes had failed, but no warning lamps were activated till after the crash. I bumped the vehicle in front of me, an older model Jeep. No one was injured.
Service Brakes Sep 22, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11485863

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Lincoln itself: 12 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 12 injured, as claimed, not verified. Every MKZ model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 60k

miles, typically

Half the 32 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 30,000 and 100,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 2
10k–20k 2
20k–30k 4
30k–40k 5
40k–50k 1
50k–60k 2
60k–70k 3
70k–80k 3
80k–90k 1
90k–100k 0
100k–150k 8
150k + 1

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★☆11%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★☆11%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★☆11%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Driver-assist crash reports (1)

Source: NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01
1report filed

1 no injury reported

Oct 2023 to Oct 2023 · 0 with an air bag deployment · 0 towed

What was engaged, and what was hit

System named: 3rd generation ADS (1)

Crash partner: Other 1

Filed by: Apollo Autonomous Driving USA

IncidentSystemStruckInjury allegedStateSpeedReport
Oct 2023ADS · 3rd generation ADSOtherno injury reportedCA15 mph33495-6726

From the manufacturer’s own filing

The reporting entity’s narrative as NHTSA published it, with anything identifying removed and nothing added. A narrative is a notice, written before the entity had verified what happened.

An Apollo autonomous vehicle ("AV") was traveling westbound on [redacted] in San Francisco in conventional mode with a safety operator driving. At the intersection with [redacted], the right front of the AV made contact with the curb and the AV traveled onto the curb. The safety operator was able to drive off the curb and back onto the street.
Apollo Autonomous Driving USA report 33495-6726 Oct 2023 NHTSA SGO filing

A report under the General Order is a notice the manufacturer or operator must file within days of hearing of a crash in which a Level 2 driver-assist or automated-driving system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact. It is filed before anything is verified, and entities with telematics hear of far more crashes than entities that rely on complaints, so counts say as much about the reporting as about the car and are not comparable across makes. Nothing is normalised by fleet size. Every report on file, by make and year → · NHTSA’s page and files

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 180
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-03-25
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 179 service bulletins, 1 other

Most often about: Electrical System, Equipment, Engine, Power Train, Service Brakes.

  • 25N17 Other
    2026-03-25 · Back Over Prevention — Rearview System Braking
  • Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
  • SSM 54366 Service bulletin
    2025-11-12 · Power Train
  • Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
  • SSM 53040 Service bulletin
    2024-10-10 · Unknown Or Other
  • While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
  • 20R01 S1 Service bulletin
    2024-08-08 · Unknown Or Other
  • Certain 2014-2015 Model Year Fiesta, 2014-2016 Model Year Fusion, MKZ and 2014-2016 Model Year Transit Connect Vehicles Not Covered in Safety Recall: 20S15 or 23S36 Door Latch Replacement and Inspection
  • SSM 52335 Service bulletin
    2024-03-06 · Engine And Engine Cooling
  • For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford has evaluated turbochargers replaced for oil leak symptoms and although oil may collect on the external surface of a turbocharger, it is extremely rare for a turbocharger assembly to b
  • SSM 52314 Service bulletin
    2024-03-01 · Power Train
  • During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. Incorrect torque may allow the bolt to loosen resulting in the timing gear breaking and engine damage. Replacement of the bolt is critical to the repair and accurately following the installation procedure in the Workshop Manua
  • 21B09 S2 Service bulletin
    2023-04-12 · Electrical System
  • Certain 2014-2020 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines 3G Telematics Control Unit to 4G Upgrade Kit REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT Program Terms & Urgency / Expiration Date: Program extension until July 31, 2023. Service Action: o IDS level 128 or higher is now required to address various programming issues encountered. o C-MAX Energi vehicles are now serviceable with new software and hardware.
  • SSM 51536 Service bulletin
    2023-04-04 · Structure
  • For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P0011
P0011 on Lincoln →		Camshaft timing on bank 1 is more advanced than commanded.Power Train6 bulletins
P0012
P0012 on Lincoln →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train6 bulletins
P0014
P0014 on Lincoln →		The second camshaft on bank 1 is timed further advanced than commanded.Power Train6 bulletins
P0015
P0015 on Lincoln →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train6 bulletins
P0016
P0016 on Lincoln →		The crankshaft and camshaft are not where they should be relative to each other — timing, chain or phaser.Power Train6 bulletins
P0017
P0017 on Lincoln →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train6 bulletins
P0018
P0018 on Lincoln →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train6 bulletins
P0019
P0019 on Lincoln →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train6 bulletins
P0021
P0021 on Lincoln →		Camshaft timing on bank 2 is more advanced than commanded.Power Train6 bulletins
P0022
P0022 on Lincoln →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train6 bulletins
P0024
P0024 on Lincoln →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train6 bulletins
P0025
P0025 on Lincoln →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train6 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

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At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 Lincoln MKZ failed the emissions check on 3.5% of first inspections — close to the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 5.8% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%).

New York inspections 3.5%

failed emissions

515 initial inspections of 502 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2016 MKZEvery 2016 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check3.5%4.2%512
Failed the safety inspection5.8%2.2%515
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.19%0.27%515
Miles driven a year9,29110,028odometer at inspection
Average odometer95,469103,109odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2016 vehicle” is every 2016 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

MKZ by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2020 A 1 3 41 mpg2019 A 1 23 41 mpg2018 C 2 38 40 mpg2017 D 4 158 40 mpg2016 this page D 6 71 40 mpg

Common questions about the 2016 MKZ

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2016 Lincoln MKZ have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 6 recall campaigns for the 2016 Lincoln MKZ, 1 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 18V167000, covering Steering. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2016 Lincoln MKZ?

NHTSA gave the 2016 Lincoln MKZ 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 4-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it D (60/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Lincoln MKZ?

Across the 5 EPA-rated configurations of the 2016 Lincoln MKZ, the best EPA combined figure is 40 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2016 Lincoln MKZ?

Transport Canada measured it at 194.1 in long, 73.2 in wide (body, without mirrors), 58.3 in tall, on a 112.2 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,827–4,001 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2016 Lincoln MKZ?

Owners have filed 71 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Lincoln MKZ, most often about service brakes, steering, electrical system. Of those, 8 involved a crash, 6 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2016 Lincoln MKZ?

The EPA smog rating for the 2016 Lincoln MKZ runs 5 to 9 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — Bin 3, Bin 5, LEV-II ULEV, PZEV — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2016 Lincoln MKZ?

The manufacturer has filed 180 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2016 Lincoln MKZ, most often covering electrical system, equipment, engine. The most recent is dated 2026-03-25. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2016 Lincoln MKZ do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 Lincoln MKZ failed the emissions check on 3.5% of first inspections — close to the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 5.8% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations5 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates5 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls6NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints71NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings3 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins180NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations4NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reports1NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01Crashes the manufacturer or operator reported with a Level 2 or automated-driving system engaged. Notices, filed before verification; not comparable across makes.
Specifications filed with NHTSA9 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2020 MKZ The MKZ model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 1 recall.Recalls Every Lincoln recall on file All campaigns filed against Lincoln vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this MKZ by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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