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.
2013CAREFULSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly steering and power train Extended coverage
71 serious complaints of 121, the most about steering (19) and power train (17); per car on the road, 1.5× this model's usual year. 13 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA15002: door latch failure. NHTSA investigation EA21002: desiccated air bag inflator rupture.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering was vibrating and jiggling. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loosened near the gear housing. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Dec 2024
“The contact owns a 2013 lincoln mkz. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have transmission fluid added to the transmission and have the vehicle examined.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Sep 2020
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.
121 owner complaints · 13 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 21–38 mpg · NHTSA: 5 of 5 stars · 2013 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: 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 141 hp; 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 141 hp; 3.7L 6-cyl, 300 hp · Drive: AWD, FWD
2013 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.