Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2012CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly air bags and steering Extended coverage
178 serious complaints of 205, the most about air bags (85) and steering (39); per car on the road, 1.7× this model's usual year. 6 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA21002: desiccated air bag inflator rupture. NHTSA investigation PE14030: electric power steering failure.
What owners report
“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 lincoln mkz. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 17v024000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Nov 2018
“The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to steer in either direction. No warning light was illuminated. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had progressed over time.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Nov 2025
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage Ford/lincoln: there is an extended warranty coverage for the loss of abs speed signal related communication that disable obdii system monitors for pcm reprogramming. (CSP-14N02, Aug 2014)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
205 owner complaints · 6 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 19–38 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2012 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, 191 hp; 3.5L 6-cyl, 263 hp · Drive: AWD, FWD
2012 MKZ trims
| Hybrid |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Lincoln reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Lincoln aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 188–245 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 188–245 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 350 hp | AWD, FWD | 20–41 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 3 | Unknown or other (1) | Yes |
| 2019 | 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 188–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 188–240 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 350 hp | AWD, FWD | 20–41 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 22 | Engine (7) | Yes |
| 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 188–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 188–240 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 350 hp | AWD, FWD | 20–40 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 37 | Engine (12) | Yes |
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 188–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 188–240 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 350 hp | AWD, FWD | 20–40 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 155 | Engine (78) | Yes |
| 2016 | 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 188–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 188–240 hp 3.7L 6-cyl, 300 hp | AWD, FWD | 20–40 mpg | 5 of 5 | 7 | 70 | Steering (12) | No |
| 2015 | 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 188–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 188–240 hp 3.7L 6-cyl, 300 hp | AWD, FWD | 21–40 mpg | 5 of 5 | 11 | 95 | Electrical system (20) | No |
| 2014 | 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 188–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 188–240 hp 3.7L 6-cyl, 300 hp | AWD, FWD | 21–38 mpg | 5 of 5 | 14 | 124 | Steering (26) | No |
| 2013 | 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 141 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 141 hp 3.7L 6-cyl, 300 hp | AWD, FWD | 21–38 mpg | 5 of 5 | 13 | 121 | Steering (19) | No |
| 2012 | 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, 191 hp 3.5L 6-cyl, 263 hp | AWD, FWD | 19–38 mpg | 4 of 5 | 6 | 205 | Air bags (85) | No |
| 2011 | 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, 191 hp 3.5L 6-cyl, 263 hp | 4WD, FWD | 19–38 mpg | 4 of 5 | 7 | 185 | Air bags (84) | No |
| 2010 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 263 hp | AWD, FWD | 19–21 mpg | Not rated | 9 | 169 | Air bags (96) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: MKZ 2017–2020 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 2 |
| 2020 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 2 |
| 2020 | Lincoln MKZ HEV 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 20 |
| 2019 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 20 |
| 2019 | Lincoln MKZ HEV 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 11 |
| 2018 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 35 |
| 2018 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 35 |
| 2018 | Lincoln MKZ HEV 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 2 |
| 2017 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 138 |
| 2017 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 138 |
| 2017 | Lincoln MKZ HEV 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 115 |
| 2016 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 7 | 64 |
| 2016 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 7 | 64 |
| 2016 | Lincoln MKZ HEV 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 7 | 55 |
| 2015 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 11 | 83 |
| 2015 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 11 | 83 |
| 2015 | Lincoln MKZ HEV 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 10 | 76 |
| 2014 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 14 | 97 |
| 2014 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 14 | 97 |
| 2014 | Lincoln MKZ HEV 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 14 | 114 |
| 2013 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 13 | 109 |
| 2013 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 13 | 109 |
| 2013 | Lincoln MKZ HEV 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 13 | 115 |
| 2012 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR AWD | 4 | No | No | 6 | 146 |
| 2012 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 6 | 146 |
| 2012 | Lincoln MKZ Hev 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 6 | 204 |
| 2011 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR AWD | 4 | No | No | 7 | 185 |
| 2011 | Lincoln MKZ 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 7 | 185 |
| 2011 | Lincoln MKZ Hev 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 7 | 183 |
| 2010 | Lincoln MKZ 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 9 | 169 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | MKZ AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
20–23 |
| 2020 | MKZ FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
21–24 |
| 2020 | MKZ Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 41 |
| 2019 | MKZ AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
20–23 |
| 2019 | MKZ FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
21–24 |
| 2019 | MKZ Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 41 |
| 2018 | MKZ AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
20–23 |
| 2018 | MKZ FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
21–24 |
| 2018 | MKZ Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 40 |
| 2017 | MKZ AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
20–23 |
| 2017 | MKZ FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
21–24 |
| 2017 | MKZ Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 40 |
| 2016 | MKZ AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L |
20–25 |
| 2016 | MKZ FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L |
21–26 |
| 2016 | MKZ Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 40 |
| 2015 | MKZ AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L |
21–25 |
| 2015 | MKZ FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L |
21–26 |
| 2015 | MKZ Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 40 |
| 2014 | MKZ AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L |
21–25 |
| 2014 | MKZ FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L |
22–26 |
| 2014 | MKZ Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 38 |
| 2013 | MKZ AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L |
21–25 |
| 2013 | MKZ FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L |
22–26 |
| 2013 | MKZ Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 38 |
| 2012 | MKZ AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
| 2012 | MKZ FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2012 | MKZ Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 38 |
| 2011 | MKZ AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
| 2011 | MKZ FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2011 | MKZ Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 38 |
| 2010 | MKZ AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
| 2010 | MKZ FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.