Research · Midsize Cars

2014 Lincoln MKZRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls and 98 owner complaints for the 2014 Lincoln MKZ. Most complaints involve steering (26) and electrical system (17). The EPA rates it 21–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–26mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
14campaigns
Latest Mar 2023
Owner complaints
98
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

14 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Mar 10, 2023NHTSA 23V162000

Service brakes

Remedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Fusion, Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 Mustang vehicles originally sold or ever registered, in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Hawaii. Exposure to certain environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, high humidity, and salt air can cause the brake pedal bumper to corrode and separate from the brake pedal.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jan 13, 2022NHTSA 22V011000

Latches

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Jun 8, 2020NHTSA 20V331000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

98 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2014 – Nov 2026
  1. Steering26
  2. Electrical system17
  3. Engine10
  4. Power train9
  5. Fuel/propulsion system8
  6. Structure6
  7. Back over prevention5
  8. Wheels5
  9. Service brakes5

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

By model year

Complaints for each MKZ model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007259
2008281
2009114
2010170
2011185
2012146
2013109
201498
201584
201664
2017140
201836
201921
20202
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

26 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH in reverse, the steering wheel seized due to a loss of electric power steering assist. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where diagnostic testing determined that the steering rack and pinion assembly failed and required replacement. The dealer was contacted by the independent mechanic and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in an active recall. The vehicle was repaired by the independent mechanic. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under a steering recall approximately two years prior at 198,000 miles. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under an open recall. The failure mileage was approximately 206,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2026SteeringODI 11775593

Electrical system

17 reports
“The transmission is slipping my car is only has 53,000 miles on it, the radio doesn’t work I had to pay over $1000 to fix the trunk latch and my brakes are fine but not working properly”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 14, 2026Suspension, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11717970

Engine

10 reports2 crashes
“I push my start button and it makes the starting nose and after a few minutes it starts and when I go to move it stalls out and then won't start again or starts and stalls again. But the next day drives fine. And it has been happening now for months even after we fixed the high rich codes it was giving out but now there's no codes appearing.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2023Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11538780
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.7L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
MKZ FWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
223226$2,400343
MKZ AWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
223125$2,500357
MKZ FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,850410
MKZ AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
182521$2,950430
  • MKZ FWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • MKZ AWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • MKZ FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • MKZ AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Lincoln MKZ 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.9%
Overall
5 / 5
Lincoln MKZ 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 8278Vehicle 8277
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2014 MKZ questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Lincoln MKZ have?

14 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2014 Lincoln MKZ problems?

Owners filed 98 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (26), electrical system (17), engine (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Lincoln MKZ get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Lincoln MKZ at 21–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 Lincoln MKZ?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Lincoln MKZ 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026