2017 Lincoln MKZ engine problems
91 of the 156 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2017 Lincoln MKZ name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). Filed under the same heading: 84 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the engine
Source: NHTSA complaint database3 of the 91 reports a crash · 4 a fire · 3 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2017: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2022: 8 · 2023: 16 · 2024: 17 · 2025: 24 · 2026: 18
Half of the 24 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 38,000 and 90,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
156 complaints in all about the 2017 Lincoln MKZ, 18 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Engine” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Lincoln MKZ engine problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 70–75 MPH, there was white and black smoke coming from underneath the hood. The vehicle stalled and made an abnormal sound. No warning lights were illuminated.
My engine is overheating, causing my steering wheel to jerk while on the highway. Took to dealership and they said loss of coolant and could potentially cause a fire if not treated. Looked online and saw that Ford is aware of the problem but will not correct it.
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Engine Overheating" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed.
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, there was smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, and the steering wheel was vibrating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact safely pulled over and exited the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to her residence.
In April 2022 my steering wheel started jerking and I felt my car starting to drive unusual. By the end of April my check engine light was on so I went and got it checked out. Code P0217, P0302, P0316 showed up.
What is on file about the engine
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications84 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0316 P0300 P0302 P0011 P0012 P0014 P0015 P0016
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2017 Lincoln MKZ names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre engine problems common on the 2017 Lincoln MKZ?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 91 owner complaints naming the engine on this model year (58% of everything owners filed about it), and 84 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the engine on the 2017 Lincoln MKZ?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 4 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do engine problems show up on the 2017 Lincoln MKZ?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 77,500 miles; half of them between 38,000 and 90,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.