Best and worst Lincoln MKZ years — which to avoid

Getting on the used car market can be a risky business, especially if you are unfamiliar with the overall problems of the vehicle you wish to buy. When it comes to the Lincoln MKZ in particular, there are some reliable model years, but also some Lincoln MKZ years to avoid.

So, our team will set you on the right track with your purchase decision as we guide you through the best years to buy and worst Lincoln MKZ years to avoid. We made sure to consider all of the available data on this model’s reliability, from NHTSA submissions to first-hand driver reviews and common issues that affected certain years to be deemed unreliable.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Lincoln MKZ years

To make a valid guide on the best and worst Lincoln MKZ years, our team needed more than just MKZ reviews anyone can find on the internet. So, we used official records of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to browse driver complaints about the car and find details on common problems.

We also took into consideration official recalls, ratings for every year of the MKZ, as well as information available on Lincoln forums submitted by real owners of the car. Here’s what we found out about the best and worst model years:

Most common Lincoln MKZ problems

Over the years, the Lincoln MKZ did quite well on reliability tests and drivers haven’t reported too many issues regarding the transmission and the engine. However, there’s a fair share of Lincoln MKZ problems that this car came with, so it’s worth going through them all before you can make a well-rounded decision.

1. Fuel delivery system problems

One of the worst things that can happen to your car is if the fuel delivery system isn’t properly working and that’s one of the major issues with the MKZ. Precisely, the 2013 and 2014 model years have struggled with fuel delivery into the combustion chambers, and drivers have reported that the car won’t start after getting gas.

There’s the infamous issue of the cracked fuel delivery module, and fuel leaks were quite often because of this malfunction. Luckily, the Ford Motor Company issued a recall in 2013 to settle the issue for the MKZ vehicles produced the same year. That’s why it’s a good idea to check if the unit you wish to buy has gone through the recall.

There was also a recall to sort out Ford 2.0 EcoBoost problems when it comes to the second-gen model, so these are some of the issues to look out for concerning engine operation.

2. Power steering assists faults

Another common problem that Lincoln MKZ drivers have experienced is the power steering assist fault. It has been reported for the 2012 to 2015 model years and there was a recall back in 2015 to fix this problem. The reason behind this malfunction is in the power steering gear motor itself which suffered from road salts and degraded over time.

Because of this problem, drivers couldn’t steer so easily at lower speeds, and it became a major safety concern. Luckily, the problem can easily be solved by replacing the faulty motor bolts and the steering assists motor sealer was installed on recalled vehicles to prevent further salt damage.

3. Spongy brake pedal

There were also some problems with the braking system of the car and these were mostly related to the second-gen MKZ. The problems include a faulty or corroded brake pedal bumper that caused the brake light to illuminate on the dashboard, as well as spongy brakes.

Because of this, drivers complained about the insufficient pressure in the brake lines and which led to a brake pedal that sunk to the floor. Since it could pose a safety threat to drivers, it’s crucial to check if the vehicle has been through a braking system recall or at least to inspect the brakes before buying a used MKZ.

4. Airbag system faults

Over the years, there have been numerous airbag-related recalls when it comes to the MKZ model. These were related to faulty airbag inflator bags and inoperable airbag modules. This led to numerous fixes and recalls and it’s crucial to check the airbag system before buying a used MKZ.

Not only were passengers at risk of the airbag not inflating when necessary because of this, but the metal fragments from inflator bag explosions also led to serious safety concerns. The brand issued a lot of recalls regarding faulty airbags centered around the Takata airbag problem which a lot of Lincoln and other car brand models had to deal with.

Worst Lincoln MKZ years to avoid

Well, now you know a bit more about the common problems that Lincoln MKZ drivers have experienced over the years. Because of these issues, some model years are plagued by problems that require expensive repairs, so it’s better to avoid them.

Because of that, the most important question you should be asking yourself prior to buying one is – what are the worst Lincoln MKZ years? The worst Lincoln MKZ years are 2007 and 2008, while the 2013 model of the second generation wasn’t much better:

• 2007
• 2008
• 2013

Because of this, we’ll try to further explain what exactly makes those model years the worst out there when it comes to Lincoln MKZ.

First-generation Lincoln MKZ (2007 and 2008 model years)

The initial production years were tough for the MKZ as a model, and that was reflected through several significant complaints. Braking system problems were quite common at this point, and drivers have also reported degrading rims that sometimes led to tire damage and that’s a safety risk.

Most issues have been raised with the 2007 and 2008 MKZ models, while the following model years were slightly better.

The 2009 model also got a few complaints about the faulty airbag module, so it’s yet another thing to have in mind when shopping for a first-gen MKZ. Things got a bit better with the later model years and the 2011 model received the least complaints.

Second-generation Lincoln MKZ (2013 model year)

Through some model years of the second-generation Lincoln MKZ, airbag-related issues continued and there were a few other recalls to fix the issue. This time it’s mostly the consequence of bad airbag inflator bags that sometimes caused explosions that could harm the passengers.

Things got worse with the introduction of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged engine since it came with a few problems. The most notable ones included low coolant and engine misfires, as well as overheating in case of significant coolant leaks.

On top of that, the power steering assist fault was present for the 2013 model, so it’s best to avoid these.

What are the best Lincoln MKZ years to buy?

Along with the problematic model years of the MKZ, the manufacturer also made some solid and reliable models. The good news is – there are much more of these when compared to problematic model years, and you can take a look at the list below for the most reliable MKZ years:

• 2011
• 2012
• 2014
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020

The most important thing when buying a used MKZ is to avoid models with fuel delivery and braking system faults. If you are considering buying a first-gen model, it’s best to go for model years 2011 or 2012. These were the facelift versions of the first-generation model and they came without as many problems.

When buying the second-gen MKZ, it’s best to go for 2017 and later years since these were the re-designed editions without many problems. So, the 2009 model was the best one among first-gen MKZs, while the 2019 model represents the same for the second generation.

2009 Lincoln MKZ

The 2009 MKZ was the most reliable model of the whole first generation and it still had a few reported problems. Of course, it was a lot better than the previous model years, especially the 2007 and 2008 models that came before it.

When compared with those two, the 2009 one didn’t have many issues with the tires, airbags, and steering. The engines were also more or less reliable depending on which option you choose, and the great reliability rating overall says a lot about this model.

2019 Lincoln MKZ

The 2019 and following models came without fuel delivery and braking system faults, and the airbag problem was finally solved. If you are buying a second-gen model, make sure to consider all the engine options, since it may be better to go for a 3.7-liter V6 or a 3.5-liter twin-turbo engine.

Is the Lincoln MKZ worth buying?

As the time comes to make a final verdict on this model, we can only confirm that it’s a sturdy and well-made Lincoln. It has all the luxurious features that were common for cars of this segment back in the day, and you get great value for your buck by getting one.

Still, there are a couple of model years to avoid, so we hope that this guide helps figure out how to avoid them. Make sure to also re-think the purchase of the MKZ with a 2.0-liter turbo engine, since it has proven to be less reliable than the V6 versions.

Eager to uncover more about your potential next vehicle? Delve into the comprehensive reviews of the Buick Lucerne years to avoid, Cadillac CTS years to avoid, and Lexus ES 350 years to avoid. From luxury to reliability and everything in between, discover what these models have to offer.