The 2016 Lincoln MKZ is associated with 63 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 7 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Steering, accounting for 8 reports (13% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 5 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2l 4-cyl, 3.7l 6-cyl, and 2L 4-Cyl hybrid configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 20 to 40 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 63 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 7 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Steering (8 / 13%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 8 crash / 0 fire / 4 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 20–40 MPG (5 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| MKZ FWD | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 22 MPG | 33 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
| MKZ FWD | 3.7L 6-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 18 MPG | 27 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| MKZ AWD | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 22 MPG | 31 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| MKZ AWD | 3.7L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 17 MPG | 24 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| MKZ Hybrid FWD Hybrid | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 41 MPG | 39 MPG | 40 MPG | — | $1,550 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 4 DR FWD | | | | | 10.9% |
| 4 DR AWD | | | | | 10.9% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Lincoln MKZ models.
View complete 2016 Lincoln MKZ crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Lincoln MKZ problems & component breakdown (24 categories) →
Affected Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Defect Summary: 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.
Free 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.
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Free 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.
Affected Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Defect Summary: 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."
Free 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.
View all 2016 Lincoln MKZ recalls & campaign history (7 campaigns) →