2017 Lincoln MKZ Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 6, 2026 · 141 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other MKZ years
More complaints than other years 6th of 15 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 141 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Lincoln MKZ. That ranks 6th out of 15 MKZ model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (76 complaints, 54%), typically at around 63,750 miles. Complaints mention 6 crashes, 4 fires, 4 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Lincoln MKZ
Lincoln MKZ II facelift photographed in Harbin , Heilongjiang province, China.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Navigator84, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2017 Lincoln MKZ problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine76 · ~63,750 mi
Power Train24 · ~107,000 mi
Unknown or Other12 · ~51,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling11 · ~75,395 mi
Electrical System10 · ~51,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System9 · ~40,250 mi
Service Brakes8 · ~54,000 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7 · ~71,000 mi
Steering6 · ~15,400 mi
Vehicle Speed Control5 · ~7,800 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine problems7654%63,750“coolant leaking” (18%)$7,950
Power Train2417%107,000——
Unknown or Other129%51,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling118%75,395——
Electrical System107%51,000——
Fuel/propulsion System96%40,250——
Service Brakes86%54,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic75%71,000——
Steering64%15,400——
Vehicle Speed Control54%7,800——
Air Bags43%31,000——
Exterior Lighting43%53,000——
Wheels43%23,000——
Structure21%24,500——
Back Over Prevention11%55,000——
Equipment11%20,000——
Latches/locks/linkages11%15,000——
Parking Brake11%98,989——
Seat Belts11%———
Seats11%31,000——
Suspension11%33,100——
Visibility11%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2025, with 32 complaints
2017: 4201742018: 4201842019: 5201952020: 5202052021: 7202172022: 122022122023: 212023212024: 242024242025: 322025322026: 27202627

n = 141 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2017 Lincoln MKZ recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMar 10, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V162000 · 1,280,726 vehicles

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

Risk: A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.

Power train:automatic transmission:torque converterJun 11, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V390000 · 25 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford Edge and 2017 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.

Risk: If the torque converter weld studs fail, the torque converter will not be connected to the engine flexplate and the vehicle will lose the ability to move, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converters, free of charge. The recall began on July 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S16 (S2). Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 17V-427.

Steering: steering wheel/handle barMar 12, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V167000 · 1,301,986 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.

Risk: A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.

Power train:automatic transmission:torque converterJul 6, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V427000 · 6,026 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Edge and Fusion vehicles. On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.

Risk: If the torque converter weld studs fail, the torque converter will not be connected to the engine flexplate and the vehicle will lose the ability to move, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford or Lincoln will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converters, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S16.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures (RQ22004) — opened Aug 8, 2022, closed Mar 24, 2023, led to recall 23V162000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Safety Recall 22S43 (Shifter Cable Bushing)

Unknown or Other · received Oct 6, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769212

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling or driving there was a misfire. Additionally, while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormally loud whining sound. The contact slowed down to 5 MPH and continued driving. The check engine warning light…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Oct 2, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11768497

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine was faulty due to coolant intrusion and…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Sep 22, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11766190

My 2017 Lincoln MKZ with only 52100 miles started leaking coolant into the engine cylinders which will require a new engine. Ford/Lincoln is aware of this problem with their 2.0 liter Ecoboost engine and has even issued a service bulletin and the necessary engine replacement. I have contacted…

Engine · received Sep 13, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11763897

I purchased a 2017 Lincoln MKZ and began experiencing serious engine problems, including repeated overheating and an engine misfire. The vehicle developed a check-engine light and a P0301 misfire code. I was advised by a repair shop that the vehicle has a serious engine problem and that the engine…

Engine · received Sep 4, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11762139

Other Lincoln MKZ years

← 2016 MKZ · 2018 MKZ →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2020 MKZ21
2019 MKZ211
2018 MKZ352
20171414
2016 MKZ646
2015 MKZ8410
2014 MKZ9713
2013 MKZ10912
2012 MKZ1465
2011 MKZ1455
2010 MKZ1697
2009 MKZ1146
2008 MKZ2814
2007 MKZ2594
2006 MKZ04

See all Lincoln MKZ problems by year, every Lincoln model, or the Lincoln VIN decoder.

Similar Lincoln models

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Lincoln MKZ?

Owners most often report engine, power train, unknown or other problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 76 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2017 Lincoln MKZ?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2017 Lincoln MKZ a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other MKZ model years, the 2017 has more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.