Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid problems

Owners filed 116 complaints about the 2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid with NHTSA between Jul 2013 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is steering (18).

Complaints
116
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering18
  2. Electrical system17
  3. Power train16
  4. Structure14
  5. Seat belts13
  6. Engine11
  7. Latches/locks/linkages10
  8. Wheels8
  9. Fuel/propulsion system6
  10. Service brakes4
  11. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  12. Seats4
  13. Air bags3
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20134
201417
20158
20164
201716
201810
20199
202014
20217
20227
202310
20246
20253
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

18 reports
“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. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 63,800.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2024SteeringODI 11630952

Electrical system

17 reports
“All dashboard warning lights come on simultaneously, randomly/without warning. This also affected the cruise control activation along with the vehicle lane change warning sensors becoming non-operational.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, Lane departureODI 11772050

Power train

16 reports1 crash
“NOTED A NATURAL GAS SMELL IN MY CAR ONLY WHEN HEAT ON IN CAR AND NOT CONSTENT, JUST IN SPIRTS I WOULD GET A STRONG SMELL. THEN LAST WEEK MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD WHINNING NOISE THAT HAS GOTTEN LOUDER AND MORE CONSISTENT OVER THE PAST WEEK. I NOTED THE 2013 MKZ HAD RECALLS FOR ISSUES LIKE THIS BEFORE. I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR USED 3 MONTHS AGO.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 22, 2021Power train, EngineODI 11397342

Structure

14 reports1 crash
“The doors of the vehicle fail to latch closed when the temperatures get below freezing. There has been a recall previously repaired in 2016 per vehicle records, however this seems to be an issue now.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 8, 2023StructureODI 11506206

Seat belts

13 reports1 crash
“The middle rear seat belt locks up when you fold the seat down and the only way to lift the seat is to remove the seat belt from the car and allow it to fully retract. But as soon as the seat get laid down again you have to repeat the process. There are multiple videos on YouTube of multiple ford vehicles having the same problem. Secondly periodically all the lights on the dash come on and it says all the Advanced Driver Assistant systems aren’t working and the electronic assist powersteering stops working. It lasts anywhere from a couple minutes or until the car is turned off for a long time. There are also multiple videos on YouTube showing the same problem on multiple Lonicoln MKZ’s.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2023Electrical system, Seat beltsODI 11500488

Engine

11 reports1 crash1 fire
“Catalytic converter, reduced engine power and toxic fumes. I had it inspected and would cost me $1200, I purchased the vehicle from dealership and was not made aware of the recalls and customer satisfaction program that would have covered the catalytic converter under campaign #20m01. When I became aware of the program it was too late by a couple of months, there was no prior symptoms prior to the failure, I became aware of the problem December 2023 due to warning light (check engine). This has became an inconvenience and a headache especially knowing the problem could have been avoided if I received the "letter" regarding customer satisfaction program but I never did.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 11, 2024EngineODI 11624473
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.