Lincoln MKZ: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
1,669 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Lincoln MKZ, model years 2007 to 2020. One model year stands out for the engine or transmission: 2017 (engine 8.4×). Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2019, 2018, 2016. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 MKZ | 258 | — | 5 | |
| 2008 MKZ | 281 | — | 5 | |
| 2009 MKZFEW REPORTS | 114 | — | 7 | |
| 2010 MKZ | 170 | — | 9 | |
| 2011 MKZFEW REPORTS | 145 | — | 7 | |
| 2012 MKZFEW REPORTS | 146 | — | 6 | |
| 2013 MKZFEW REPORTS | 109 | — | 13 | |
| 2014 MKZFEW REPORTS | 98 | quiet: 5 of 13 | 14 | |
| 2015 MKZFEW REPORTS | 84 | quiet: 4 of 13 | 11 | |
| 2016 MKZFEW REPORTS | 64 | quiet: 3 of 13 | 7 | |
| 2017 MKZFEW REPORTS | 141 | engine 8.4× | 4 | |
| 2018 MKZFEW REPORTS | 36 | quiet: 2 of 13 | 2 | |
| 2019 MKZFEW REPORTS | 21 | quiet: 1 of 13 | 1 | |
| 2020 MKZFEW REPORTS | 2 | — | 1 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Lincoln models
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Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 200720082010