Lincoln MKZ engine problems, 2016–2020
120 of the 288 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Lincoln MKZ 2016–2020 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2017 (91), 2018 (15), 2019 (7). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Lincoln MKZ engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | — | — | 14 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 7 | 32% | — | 34 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 15 | 41% | — | 37 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 91 | 58% | 78k | 84 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 | 7 | 10% | — | 48 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2022: 8 · 2023: 18 · 2024: 23 · 2025: 32 · 2026: 30
Across the model years, half of the 30 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.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. 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 engine light came on. The car suddenly wouldn’t go past 35 mph . Thankfully I was on a local road. I had it towed to the dealer and was told that the engine needed to be replaced because coolant leaked into the engine. There were no warning lights except the day of . The car did not give any indication of a leak.
My 2018 Lincoln MKZ began misfiring on startups. Eventually the check engine light came on with a code of P0302. About a week later while driving, the engine temp gauge reached the hottest temp reading on the gauge. I had to immediately pull over.
In August 2026, my 2019 Lincoln MKZ equipped with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine, with approximately 39,000 miles, began experiencing repeated coolant loss, rough shaking during startup, engine misfires, temperature-gauge fluctuations toward hot, and an “Engine Coolant Over Temperature” warning while the vehicle was being driven.
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Mar 6, 2024
- 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
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Lincoln MKZ years have the most engine complaints?
2017, 91; 2018, 15; 2019, 7. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2017 (58%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Lincoln MKZ?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do engine problems show up on the Lincoln MKZ?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 75,300 miles across the model years; 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.