Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid problems

Owners filed 56 complaints about the 2016 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid with NHTSA between Jun 2016 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is steering (11).

Complaints
56
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering11
  2. Air bags10
  3. Service brakes9
  4. Electrical system7
  5. Engine5
  6. Seat belts5
  7. Wheels4
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  9. Back over prevention3
  10. Structure2
  11. Fuel/propulsion system2
  12. Engine and engine cooling1
  13. Latches/locks/linkages1
  14. Exterior lighting1

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 Oct 28, 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
20163
20176
20185
20195
20202
20215
20226
202312
20246
20254
20262

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

11 reports
“My power steering electric system doesn’t work, the steering gear motor may have detached from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 29, 2024Steering, Electrical systemODI 11597690

Air bags

10 reports3 crashes
“A VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE A CAR DID THE SAME IN FRONT OF THEM. I BRAKED SUDDENLY BUT IT FELT LIKE MY VEHICLE WAS BEING PUSHED FROM BEHIND, MY STEERING WHEEL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED SO DID THE SIDES. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BEFORE THE IMPACT BLINDING ME AS I REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT. I SUFFERED BURNS, BRUISES, NECK INJURIES AND LOWER BACK PAIN. I WAS DRIVING NO MORE THAN 25-30 MILES PER HOUR. MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOST AND I HAD OWNED IT FOR LESS THAN A YEAR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2019Air bags, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11209161

Service brakes

9 reports4 crashes
“While driving a complete loss of brake incident occurred. The brake pedal got still, and the car would not stop. Luckily, we were close to home and was able to slow down enough to turn around and get home slowly. Upon investigation it was found the coupler (Part that connects camshaft to brake pump) failed causing the brake pump to not work. This situation is extremely dangerous as we had no prior warning to failure. Even the complete loss of brakes did not have any indicator lights during the incident. Considering the operation of the coupler, how could something so small and so important be weak enough to snap internally, causing a complete loss of brakes with no warning.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 11, 2024Service brakesODI 11582280

Electrical system

7 reports1 crash
“I was driving on the freeway when the steering on my car became very difficult and “wobbly”. It was hard to keep it going straight. I knew something was wrong and when I got home, I told my husband to check my tires. The next morning I was told that my tires were fine but when we got into the car, this time I got 4 errors regarding the drive control and steering assist fault. The steering wheel was locked and the car was unable to be driven.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 23, 2023Steering, Electrical systemODI 11513426

Engine

5 reports
“My MKZ started slowly losing coolant and running rough particularly upon starting the engine. Two days later the overheating warning came on and I pulled over and shut off the engine. Sioux Falls Ford has diagnosed it as coolant intrusion in the engine requiring a new engine block.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2025EngineODI 11666907

Seat belts

5 reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that the driver's side seat belt failed to function as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the part to do the repair was not available. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 16S42 (Pretensioner Cable). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2023Seat beltsODI 11515922
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

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