Problems · NHTSA complaints

2015 Lincoln MKZ problems

Owners filed 84 complaints about the 2015 Lincoln MKZ with NHTSA between Jan 2015 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (16).

Complaints
84
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system16
  2. Back over prevention12
  3. Service brakes9
  4. Steering8
  5. Engine7
  6. Air bags7
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic7
  8. Seat belts5
  9. Structure5
  10. Visibility/wiper4
  11. Suspension4
  12. Power train4
  13. Vehicle speed control3
  14. Forward collision avoidance2

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
20152
20163
20177
20188
20196
20208
20212
202210
202310
20244
20257
202617

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

16 reports
“While in reverse of my vehicle, the back-up camera display either goes completely black, displays an error message or glitches turning itself on/off at random. Referencing recall “25v695“ this recall has been on notice with no follow up since I received the notification letter on October 2025. This is a very high safety risk when in reverse potentially causing a crash with other vehicles, striking nearby objects or worse.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2026Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Back over preventionODI 11755618

Back over prevention

12 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a black screen. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2026Back over preventionODI 11768009

Service brakes

9 reports1 crash
“The electronic parking brake engages on its own and locks causing the rear tire to lock while driving which then causes friction and the tire to smoke heavily which could cause fire or bad accident. I have replaced caliper, caliper actuator, rotor, brake pad, wheel speed sensor, wheel bearing and nothing has fixed the issue”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2025Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11687237

Steering

8 reports3 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, the contact became aware that the steering wheel was loose. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that there was a recall associated with the failure, however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V167000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring for approximately two years. The failure mileage was 160,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2026SteeringODI 11761652

Engine

7 reports
“While driving vehicle the engine shut down for no apparent reason. Light came on said do not attempt to drive, not safe. Was able to get car to a safe area. Was able to restart and get the car home. Brought the car to the dealer, said battery was dead, found water in the truck where the battery is located”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 14, 2025EngineODI 11704966

Air bags

7 reports
“In the middle of June 2024 (about [XXX]), my wife was driving her car, and pressed the horn button to warn a driver who had pulled out right in front of her. The horn failed to sound, and has not worked since then when pursuing the horn button. The horns themselves do sound when pressing the key fob to locate the car. Pressing the horn button has never worked since the time of this report, and several instances have occurred with other drivers needing to be forewarned of hazards. The problem has been verified by the husband, but not yet by the dealer, police or insurance representative. Sincerely, [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2024Air bags, Electrical systemODI 11609996
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.