Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Lincoln MKZ problems

Owners filed 109 complaints about the 2013 Lincoln MKZ with NHTSA between Jul 2013 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (17).

Complaints
109
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system17
  2. Steering16
  3. Power train15
  4. Seat belts12
  5. Structure12
  6. Engine10
  7. Latches/locks/linkages8
  8. Wheels7
  9. Fuel/propulsion system6
  10. Air bags4
  11. Service brakes4
  12. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  13. Seats4
  14. Lane departure2

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 10, 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
201415
20156
20163
201713
20186
20199
202014
20217
20227
202310
20246
20256
20263

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

Electrical system

17 reports1 related recall
“Video camera in the back is almost unusable at times, get loss of vision completely or it's flipped image and distorted. Don't know if this counts but I had a issue where key batteries where fine and the car did not want to unlock or start. Also last winter the door would not unlock and if forced would not close.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2025Electrical systemODI 11697244

Steering

16 reports2 related recalls
“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

Power train

15 reports1 crash1 related recall
“Vehicle: Lincoln MKZ 2013 Dealer: Auto Quest Inc. Description of the Safety Issue: I am submitting this report regarding a vehicle safety concern involving a 2013 Lincoln MKZ that I purchased from Auto Quest Inc. in Renton, Washington. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, within the first few days of ownership, the vehicle began experiencing significant mechanical problems including transmission issues and persistent brake noise that required multiple repair attempts. These problems appeared almost immediately after the purchase, which raises concerns that the vehicle may have had pre-existing mechanical or safety-related defects that were not disclosed at the time of sale. Since purchasing the vehicle I have had to spend thousands of dollars on repairs in order to keep the vehicle operational. Despite these repairs, the brake system has continued to produce abnormal noise and the vehicle has experienced ongoing mechanical issues. These types of issues may represent potential safety risks to drivers and passengers if the braking system or transmission were to fail while the vehicle is in operation. I am reporting this issue so that the National Highway Traffic…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 11, 2026Suspension, Power train, Service brakesODI 11723699

Seat belts

12 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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

Structure

12 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

Engine

10 reports1 crash
“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 10, 2026

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