KnownCarProblems2015 Lincoln Mkz Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 84 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Lincoln Mkz, most often about the electrical (19% of complaints, typically around 27,000 miles). It is 10th of 14 Mkz model years by number of complaints and has 10 recalls.
Most common 2015 Lincoln Mkz problems
Electrical
16 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 27,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn.
The rear backup light to less than adiquate. At night when backing up the light is so dim that I'm unsure if there are no obsticles in the way, like people and cars. A brighter light could avoid backing up accidents and injuries and possible deaths.
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln Mkz. The contact stated that over the past year, she had replaced the battery on three separate occasions. The contact stated that on each occurrence, the vehicle failed to start up after multiple attempts and the vehicle had to be jumpstarted. The vehicle was started and driven to the…
Brakes
16 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 84,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln Mkz. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal to the stop the vehicle, the pedal extended to the floor. While inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that brake fluid had leaked from the front driver side wheel. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer hines park…
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln Mkz. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v162000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 - 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately. The…
Backup camera
12 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 84,500 miles. Parts named most often: warnings.
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln Mkz. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v695000 (back over prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera intermittently displayed a distorted image, and the message…
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln Mkz. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rear-view camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rear-view camera image intermittently operated as needed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v695000 (back over prevention); however…
Steering
8 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 88,500 miles.
The contact's husband owns a 2015 Lincoln Mkz. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, a message indicating power steering failure was displayed. The contact drove to the residence and parked and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated while restarting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality.…
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln Mkz. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed into the garage, the steering column made a grinding sound while turning off the vehicle. The contact was unable to adjust the steering wheel up and down into position. An unknown dealer and a secondary dealer, keller…
Engine
7 complaints · 8%In 20k miles entire car stopped working after in garage over weekend and no lights were on, no issue was found initially but battery was changed once in a new car in less than 2 years. Can can shut off in the middle of driving?
Driving home at rush hour and car suddenly lost engine power, no response when pushing accelerator, multiple dash lights came in. Unable to travel more then 5-MPH.happened multiple times in the following hours, towed to dealer.
Other or unspecified
7 complaints · 8%In 20k miles entire car stopped working after in garage over weekend and no lights were on, no issue was found initially but battery was changed once in a new car in less than 2 years. Can can shut off in the middle of driving?
No discerning issues leading up to the tire failure, it's been multiple failures, induces by potholes or road grates you would normally encounter while driving. In 2 incidents the sidewalls of the tires failed completely ripping the tire sidewall open. One simply just flattened the tire, as of now, the shop is closed…
Air bags
7 complaints · 8%4 times since car was brand new I have had to contact dealer and corporate Lincoln about the same very dangerous reoccurring problem. They continue to not be able to fix. The problem happening,and again today is that the airbag warning light goes on and the air conditioning stops working and the power windows won't…
While car is in motion the airbag warning light suddenly goes on at the same time the air conditioning goes off and will not go back on. Simultaneously the radio and power window and power seats and power mirror stop working. To date this has happen approximately eight times.
Visibility and wipers
5 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly.
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln Mkz. While driving at an unknown speed, the panoramic moon roof shattered with a loud noise. The contact stated that several pieces flew off the vehicle, but caused no injuries. The vehicle was taken to Lincoln of troy (1950 w maple rd, troy, mi 48084, ([phone]), but the cause of the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2015 Lincoln Mkz recalls
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on october 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed january 2, 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25sa9. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall bec
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 flex, 2015 explorer, lincoln mkt, lincoln mkz, 2015-2016 c-max, escape, taurus, 2016 fusion, 2018-2019 taurus, 2019 lincoln mkt, fiesta, and 2020 mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 fusion and lincoln mkz vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Brakes: pedals and linkages
Risk: A separated brake pedal bumper can cause the brake lights to illuminate continuously, causing confusion to other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash. On automatic transmission vehicles, a missing brake pedal bumper can allow the driver to shift the vehicle out of the "park" position without depressing the brake, allowing the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake pedal bumpers and clutch pedal bumpers, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on march 4, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on june 13, 2022. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22s02.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and ford or lincoln dealers will replace the side door latches, free of charge. The recall began september 21, 2020. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20s15.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 fiesta, 2014-2016 fusion and lincoln mkz vehicles sold, or ever registered in alabama, arkansas, arizona, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, new mexico, nevada, oklahoma, oregon, south carolina, texas, utah, washington, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands. 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.
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began october 18, 2019. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19s26.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 ford fusion and lincoln mkz, 2015-2016 ford edge, and 2016 lincoln mkx vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
Seat belts: front
Risk: A failed seat belt anchor cable cannot properly restrain the front seat occupants, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable, free of charge. The recall began september 9, 2019. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19s25. Note: this recall is an expansion of a recall 16v-875.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2015 fusion and lincoln mkz vehicles. In the event of a crash, heat from the deployment of a seat belt pretensioner may cause a front seat belt anchor cable to fail.
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: front
Risk: If the driver or front passenger seatbelt cables cannot properly restrain the front seat occupants, they would be at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable, free of charge. The recall began may 16, 2017. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16s42.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 ford fusion vehicles manufactured november 2, 2012, to july 31, 2014, and 2013-2015 lincoln mkz vehicles manufactured november 14, 2012, to july 31, 2014. In the event of a crash, heat from the deployment of a seat belt pretensioner may cause a front seat belt anchor cable to fail.
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist. Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply sealer and replace the steering gear motor bolts as required. If one or more of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on june 24, 2015. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15s14.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 ford fusion and lincoln mkz vehicles manufactured february 3, 2012, to march 20, 2015, and 2015 ford edge vehicles manufactured february 26, 2015, to february 28, 2015, and originally sold, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia. In the affected vehicles, snow or water containing road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
Lights: headlights
Risk: If the light output is excessive, oncoming traffic may be temporarily blinded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will update the lighting control software, free of charge. The recall began on may 8, 2015. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 15c02.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 lincoln mkz vehicles manufactured february 17, 2014, to march 19, 2015, and equipped with daytime running lights (drl). In the affected vehicles, the parking lights do not reduce their light output from a drl level when used in conjunction with the headlights. As such, the light output may exceed the the permissable amount allowed by federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Front brake jounce hose failures
Summary
On august 8, 2022, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation based on 50 vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) alleging front brake jounce hose ruptures on model year (my) 2013-2018 ford fusion and lincoln mkz vehicles. A ruptured front brake hose results in a brake fluid leak. As a result, the driver may experience an increase in pedal travel and a reduction in the rate of deceleration, increasing the risk of a crash. It should be noted that the subject vehicles identified fell outside the scope of NHTSA safety recall 20v-469, which addressed front brake hoses rupturing on certain my 2015-2018 ford edge and 2016-2018 lincoln mkx vehicles. The result causes a brake fl
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Door latch failures
Summary
In december 2019, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation based on 235 vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while driving, on model year (my) 2012-2014 ford fiesta, and 2013-2014 fusion and lincoln mkz. Some voqs reported the failure occurred after the latch had been remedied under a prior recall which involved fracture of the latch pawl spring tab due to thermally induced cyclic fatigue. Other voqs alleged a similar failure in vehicles not previously recalled. A latch with a fractured pawl spring tab typically results in a ?door will not close? Condition, however in certain somewhat rare circu
Questions about the 2015 Lincoln Mkz
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Lincoln Mkz?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (16 complaints, typically around 27,000 miles); brakes (16 complaints, typically around 84,500 miles); backup camera (12 complaints, typically around 84,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2015 Lincoln Mkz have?
- 10 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 13, 2025 (backup camera). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2015 a bad year for the Lincoln Mkz?
- It is 10th of 14 Mkz model years by number of complaints, with 84 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.