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Research · Midsize Cars

2020 Lincoln MKZRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 2 owner complaints for the 2020 Lincoln MKZ. Most complaints involve steering (1). The EPA rates it 20–24 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–24mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jun 2025
Owner complaints
2
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: software

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

Back over preventionReported Jun 27, 2025NHTSA 25V442000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2025 – Jan 2026
  1. Steering1
  2. Other / unknown1

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
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

1 report
“My daughter almost killed herself in the car at [XXX]; the steering wheel and wheels got stuck. She's stuck at [XXX] close by [XXX] in the middle of the road, She's already called the mechanic and towing company and his assistant so I can get to work. The car is under my name [XXX] . Car was towed to a mechanic shop.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 13, 2025SteeringODI 11666748
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
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 · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
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
203124$2,600373
MKZ AWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
202923$2,700384
MKZ FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$2,950425
MKZ AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172620$3,100447
  • MKZ FWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 31 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • MKZ AWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • MKZ FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    18 city · 27 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • MKZ AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
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
4 of 5
Side crash
5 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
4 of 5
Side crash
5 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 14924Vehicle 14879
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

2020 MKZ questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Lincoln MKZ have?

1 safety recall 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 2020 Lincoln MKZ problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Lincoln MKZ get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Lincoln MKZ at 20–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Lincoln MKZ?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Lincoln MKZ 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026