10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,227 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 Lincoln MKZ engine problems

engine problem

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2017 Lincoln MKZ Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #30

Jun 102024

MKZ

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I took my car for a check engine sensor. Mechanic told me there is coolant leaking into the engine. Bulletin 22-2229

- Mechanicsburg, PA, USA

problem #29

Apr 172024

MKZ

  • miles
I own a 2017 Lincoln MKZ and was just informed by the dealership that my vehicle is part of TSB 22-2229 which relates to a known defect in the manufacture of the 2.0 Ecoboost engine. Coolant is now leaking into the cylinder and progressively making the car worse. With only 85k miles the only fix is to install a new engine, out-of-pocket, for close to $15,000. I have filed my complaint with Lincoln, no response. This defective engine needs to be recalled!

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #28

Apr 172024

MKZ

  • miles
In February of 2024, my check engine light came on. I took it to a dealership who informed that it was a spark plug issue and that they had replaced it. The check engine light came on again fairly soon after, and before I could get it back to the dealership the car died. I had it towed there and was told that the battery needed to be replaced. The day after I got my car back, the light came back on again. After taking it back to the dealership, it was determined to be an engine issue, with coolant leaking everywhere (which is what ruined the spark plug and battery.) The estimate to fix this issue is $6,550. My Lincoln MKZ has approximately 60,000 miles and one owner who took care of the maintenance religiously - this should not be happening.

- Avon, OH, USA

problem #27

Mar 012024

MKZ

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While out of town, the check engine light came on and the car began sputtering. There was a Lincoln dealer a couple miles away so I went there. The scan found code p303 and coolant had intruded in cylinder 3 and the engine needed to be replaced. The Lincoln dealer stated that there was a service bulletin issued about this problem with eco boost 2017 Lincolns.

- Prosperity , SC, USA

problem #26

Feb 222024

MKZ

  • miles
The 2017 MKZ has an oil leak. I was informed during a recent state inspection and oil changed. When I left to take the car in, I noticed about a fist size spot of oil on the garage floor. When I received the call from the dealership, my MKZ was serviced. The oil leak was from the oil pan. I was also, informed it required TSB. Explained by the Ford Team Leader, it did not only need a new gasket. The service for the oil leak required the following; New oil pan, new valve covers, new gaskets, etc. Lincoln has designed a NEW pan, valve cover, gaskets which should eliminate the oil pan leak. The total repair cost went into approximately 4 TIMES the cost for a normal oil pan gasket replacement. In researching, it appears Lincoln has known of the potential problem since 2015 and I purchase this as a new used. When I purchased the car, it was a bought back and I was told all issues were repaired, but it appears if this was an issue in 2015 and Lincoln has designed new parts, why was the oil pan and covers not replaced, if this engine has a known history of oil leaking. There not a recall or some type of resolution for the repair after any warranty issues. This is a design and manufacturing fault and negligence on Lincoln. Now this extreme high-cost repair is placed on the consumer to fix Lincoln's known engine design issue to eliminate the oil leak. Either a recall should have been called or the repair should not be fully on the owner. Now I am beginning to smell oil after just short drives around town.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #25

Jan 012020

MKZ

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that the Navigation System was providing inaccurate information. The contact stated that the Navigation System became inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the gas cap was loose. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Navigation System needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. The VIN was not available.

- Ottawa, IL, USA

problem #24

Sep 222023

MKZ

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Coolant leaked into cylinders causing my engine to regularly overheat, forcing me to replace the engine at about 78,000 miles. Although I didn't realize it at the time, the first indication of a problem was at 72,737 miles (just 2,737 miles out of warranty), which is when I had the first overheating incident. According to my research, Ford has known about this problem for many years, and it affects many models over many model years, but they have yet to address the problem with the public. I was fortunate in that I didn't have a fire or an accident due to this known problem. Ford has issued several Technical Service Bulletins about it, the most recently being 22-2229, which is attached. Lincoln assisted me with covering the engine replacement, but in total, I am out $3,864.80 due to this problem.

- Bridgman, MI, USA

problem #23

Sep 042023

MKZ

  • miles
There are numerous reports of engines needing to be replaced due to coolant intrusion on the engine which causes overheating due to coolant loss. It eventually causes engine misfire a=in cylinder #2 or 3. Ford/Lincol does not want to cover engine replacements cut issued a TSB stating that engined need to be replaced.

- Novi, MI, USA

problem #22

Sep 192023

MKZ

  • miles
September 2023, 2017 MKZ showed misfire cylinder 3. Had a rough idle started back up and got a puff of white smoke from tailpipe. Towed to dealer who told me I needed new engine. 10k. Car has 64k miles. Dealer says I missed power train warranty by 1 month and 8 days. Contacted headquarters who initially said I had 11 months left. Headquarters recommended a local Ford dealer who told me it wasn't covered. I'm stuck with 20k debt and ford knows about this coolant engine flaw.

- Crete, IL, USA

problem #21

Aug 122023

MKZ

  • miles
2017 lincoln mkz 2.0L ecoboost engine Coolant intrusion into cylinder due to cracked engine block from factory defects in water jacket design. This will cause engine to fail, over heat, potential fire risk. Issue identified by certified dealer and lincoln refuses to fix due to out of warranty. Issue is known by lincoln and is same as 1.6L ecoboost recall. Check engine light indicated misfire in cylinder, however light is intermittently illuminated and does not identify the actual issue.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #20

Mar 192023

MKZ

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving my 2017 Lincoln MKZ 3.0L in March 2023, I experienced a loss of power and then engine stalled, fortunately I was at a stop and was able to re-start the vehicle and limp home, (which was nearby). If this loss of power and then stall would have happened while I was moving in traffic the failure could have lead to a catastrophic outcome including loss of life. It was determined via OBDII analysis conducted by the Lincoln Service department that DTC P0302 was triggered. Upon further inspection by the service department it was revealed that the issue was related to TSB 19-2243, which reads "2.7L/3.0L - Oil Consumption With DTC P0524 And/Or P06DD, Rough Idle, Misfire And/Or White Or Blue Exhaust Smoke - Built On 1-Apr-2016 And Through 1-Jan-2017". Unfortunately, my vehicle was built during this known defect time frame. And the remedy required new cylinder head. The new cylinder head and subsequent parts and labor cost me $3,126.58. This was extremely unfair as my only because my vehicle did not fall within the warranty period or mileage. The vehicle was over 6 years old with 36,934 miles. This very serious failure mode could have resulted in a loss of life if experienced while driving on a highway or any other situation in which the vehicle was mobile and experienced a sudden loss of power in traffic. Further disappointing is that I would estimate that there were many vehicles that experienced the defect noted in the TSB but these were not reported publicly because they were "lucky enough" to fail during the warranty period. My costs should be reimbursed by Lincoln given this was a known defect during the build time frame. And at minimum there should be a safety recall for the vehicles built during the time period noted in the TSB. I will personally never purchase another Lincoln not to mention a Ford, of which I currently have 3 Ford/Lincoln.

- Plymouth, MI, USA

problem #19

Jul 142023

MKZ

  • miles
In September 2022, I began noticing issues with my 2017 Lincoln MKZ. Despite notifying Lincoln and the dealer, they delayed inspection due to their policy that a check engine light was not a sufficient reason for an early inspection without an appointment. It was only inspected in November. I also was told both by the dealer and Lincoln corporate customer service that I couldn't take my car to other dealers to get it inspected. In November 2022, it was finally inspected, but they were unable to diagnose the issue. By July 2023, the issues escalated - my car was now diagnosed as requiring a new engine due to coolant leakage into the engine. I was shocked and horrified at this outcome, given that I had only driven the car for 25k miles since its purchase in 2020. Over a third of submitted complaints to nhtsa regarding this vehicle model are related to engine failure due to coolant leakage. TSB reports and existing class action lawsuits indicate that the issue is a known design flaw in the engine affecting both Lincoln MKZ and certain Ford Fusion models. Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 22-2134, indicates that the problem may present "with or without an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)". A complete engine replacement is their proposed solution. Despite the urgent need for corrective action, Lincoln's response has been neither prompt nor transparent. They seem to be avoiding responsibility rather than addressing this critical defect, as evident in their decision to discontinue the MKZ and the Ford Fusion in 2020 a year after acknowledging these issues. This is a case of warranty and insurance fraud, not to mention a critical failure in maintaining public safety. I urge NHTSA to thoroughly investigate this defect affecting numerous vehicles and compel Lincoln to rectify it. For the past two weeks, I've requested multiple times my vehicle records from Lincoln but received none, leaving my car hostage in the shop. Please consider this plea for action.

- West Orange, NJ, USA

problem #18

Jul 132023

MKZ

  • miles
Engine light would come on & off. Took my care in to be inspected - they determine i need a new motor -due to defect in motor design leaking antifreeze into cylinders. Not cover by warranty because i was 2 months out of the 6yr. period with only 47,000 miles on it. They will do nothing for me except charge for a new motor. My understanding is this 4 cylinder w/turbo motor in Ford/Lincoln has a known design flaw that they hope no one finds out about.

- Oswego, IL, USA

problem #17

Jun 012023

MKZ

  • miles
This vehicle already has a TSB reported, TSB 22-2229. There is a known defect in the manufacturing of the engine design. The design is failing and allowing coolant to run into the engine cylinders. This puts drivers at risk, not knowing when the engine may completely fail while driving it. The engine heats up quickly when the coolant is drained into the engine (default design), instead of around the turbo engine. There is no coolant left in the reservoir, thus possibly causing an engine fire. I've had a diagnostic check on the vehicle at Blue Springs, Mo Ford. They report that the engine will need to be replaced. The service engine light comes on, but the code read doesn't come up as the engine. It is a spark plug/coil pack needed for replacement. This has been done. I've had the engine overheating warning come up. I've had to add antifreeze to the reservoir several times. These warning lamps and messages have been coming up for the past 2 weeks. The car starts off rough, with some misfires in the idle. I have had it not start at first and I will have to try again several times.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

problem #16

May 102023

MKZ

  • miles
I have a 2017 Lincoln MKZ with the 2.0T Ecoboost engine and have approximately 74,000 miles on the car. I have been receiving a check engine light which indicates a Missfire on Cylinder 2 when scanned. Additionally I have noticed low coolant levels in the reservoir. I have had a loss of heat in the winter which lead to the initial discovery of low coolant. No indicator light came on when the coolant was low. I replaced the spark plugs in all 4 cylinders which has not solved the issue. Additionally, I still experience coolant loss. I took the car to the Ford Dealership which informed me I have coolant leaking into Cylinder 2 which will require a new engine. Had the coolant not dropped as low as it did in the winter, I would not have noticed the loss of heat and therefore checked the coolant level as there were no other indicators of low coolant level. This could have caused significant overheating issues and even complete engine failure.

- Monticello, MN, USA

problem #15

Mar 282023

MKZ

  • miles
Vehicle starting and running rough upon start up. Coil #2 now showing bad 4th time within the past 6-8 months, the #2 plug twice on the last month. Now coil #3 and plug for the 2nd time. Feels like an Oxygen sensors going bad, although no codes showing up for that, causes the check engine light to come on and continually run rough like a misfire.

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #14

Mar 212023

MKZ

  • miles
I purchased this 2017 Lincoln MKZ 2.0L used on 11/26/22 with 72,400 miles. 2/4/23 I started having a misfire on cylinder 2. Past experience with another Ecoboost vehicle I thought was most likely a failing coil pack. I purchased an OEM coil pack and replaced coil pack 2. The car ran fine for several weeks and I thought my issue was fixed. 3/18/23 I left the house and typically before I get to town I-??d have heat in the cabin, that wasn-??t the case. I looked at all gauges and everything is normal no lights & engine temp is fine. Pull over and looked at the coolant reservoir-?? bone dry! I look for external leaks, but there are none. Filled the reservoir and I now have heat again. I got it home and looked all over for a leak again, but nothing. Figured well since I had a misfire and I-??m approaching 80,000 miles maybe I should do the spark plugs. Cylinder 1 came out fine, and cylinder's 2,3,4 all seemed to be seized to the point I didn-??t feel comfortable using more force and risking them breaking. Checked the oil and the oil looks fine. The engine runs rough upon the first start of the day, and white smoke is released from the exhaust while this is happening. Decided to take it to a local Ford garage and have them do the 3 remaining plugs as well as an oil change as I thought maybe it was a spark plug issue. I explained my experience with the vehicle and the service tech stated they won't touch them because this is a known issue. Most likely I would need a new engine. Apparently, with this gen of the Ecoboost 2.0, there is coolant leaking into the cylinders due to a manufacturer design flaw that Ford knows about. This coolant will cause the cylinder head to crack and fill with coolant. Ultimately the engine will self-destruct. My local Ford garage told me to reference TSB 22-2229. If you research this online you will find many complaints as well as fears of continuing to drive the vehicle as this could cause an accident when the engine completely dies.

- Millmont, PA, USA

problem #13

Jan 212023

MKZ

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, and at other various speeds, the check engine warning light remained constantly illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle had been leaking coolant into the engine block. The mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #12

Aug 012022

MKZ

  • miles
I haven-??t had any issues but there are many online that have had to have the engine replaced and charged out of their pocket for the defect the manufacturer KNOWS is their own fault and refuses to do a recall

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #11

May 222022

MKZ 4-cyl

  • miles
I was driving and started smelling toxic fumes come inside my car, steering wheel started jerking. I didn-??t think much of it until my 2 year old daughter in the backseat was looking as if she was about to pass out. Her eyes started rolling and her words were slur, more slur than normal. I immediately pulled over and saw the fumes were coming from my tail pipe. It was a huge cloud of smoke. It was my car that was the problem. I had to leave my car on the side of the road and get someone to take us home. It wasn-??t safe to drive in the condition it was in. The next day I got it towed to the mechanic and he said my car lacked coolant and the engine needs to be replaced. I looked online and saw that this was an ongoing problem for the make and model of my vehicle and Ford is aware of it. The mechanic quoted my thousands of dollars to get it repaired. Ford won-??t help. This incident could-??ve killed my daughter and me. PLEASE HELP MAKE MY CAR A RECALL ON THE ENGINE! I have no transportation.

- Franklinton, NC, USA

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