Common Problems with a Lincoln MKZ | 2013-2020

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Common Problems With a Lincoln MKZ Part 2:

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200k km Update on my 2015 Lincoln MKZ:

[Nowayjose-zr]

As a former "Lincoln" tech, I can confidently attribute most of the 2.0l issues to improper oil change maintenance. First, use quality oil like mobile 1. Secondly a quality filter. By default most oil change places use a cheap filter not rated for the mileage between oil changes on synthetic oil. Change your oil annually or a little early. If you wait till the car indicates you need an oil change, it's to late.

With any turbo engine, including diesel, it's mandatory to allow the vehicle to warm up and cool down. I would guess about 70% of people I notice in parking lots, turn the car on and before the starter quits winding down already reversing out of the parking spot. Huge issue with not enough oil pressure and flow to the turbo and top of engine. Let it run a full minute or two.

Same when your shutting off the car. Let the turbo spool down and cavities in the head fill up with oil. What happens with a hot turbo is the oil will boil away casuing bearing damage.

Side not, in Japan most cars have a lite to indicate safe to drive and safe to turn off. Why they don't here, no idea.

I've had many a 2.0l and many racers run that motor with out issue. Generally the way it works is many go to some budget oil change place. Get the cheapest one, don't change on time, then blame the manufacturer when it blows up.

Yes, oil change with quality materials can cost $60 -$70, but cheaper then a break down or engine.

[nene]

First off thanks for the video! Thank you for taking your time!

I bought my 2014 Lincoln MKZ with 6000 miles I’m over 306, 000 miles now I am a maintenance freak. I’ve had zero major problems.

However, I did spray on seafoam through the throttlebody, which I think helped tremendously for the turbo. That’s pure assumption if it reached it great if it didn’t well, the turbo still running great.

Transmission oil flushes every 15, 000 miles oil change Mobile one “20, 000 mile oil“ every 10, 000 miles with the mobile one 10, 000 mile oil filter.


The only thing that went out because I didn’t use my EB on a downhill parking, before shifting into park, normally I shift to neutral hit the ER then shift to park. The issue was my gearshifting motor that’s under I mean that’s in the passenger wheel well went bad that very day, so I had to shift the gears manually before I found this part on eBay, yes used it’s working great for years. One radiator hose line. And that is all.

Just like anyone else I’ve owned a bit over half a dozen cars and this is the only one that’s lasted this long still get 33 HWY miles and 26 to 29 miles in the city.


Seafoam in the gas tank four times a year, seafoam in the crank case for bare minimum 200 miles before oil changes, and see foam spray through the throttlebody once a year. Aside from everything else mentioned above.



Hopefully any of this is helpful to anyone.


And again to the YouTuber that posted this, thank you for taking your time and giving us insight into this vehicle.

[quetzcoatl]

Thanks for the heads up! I have one same color and hybrid 2016. It’s been reliable so far. But like every thing in life, with age comes problems.

[zachtravers]

I've had 3 2.0Ts totalling close to 200k with 0 issues. The 6F35 transmission however.. not the best. I had to have one replaced on my 2015 Fusion. I have a 2019 Fusion now but considering going down to a 13-15 MKZ to get rid of a payment.

[flaviog]

I've owned one for 6 yrs now with 150k miles.

[CHIPSIMS-hn]

I have a 2012 with 175K miles. Bought it with 39K on 7 years ago & she’s running like a champ still. Only had to replace the CV axles a couple time

[MrCodypowell]

One additional item I don't see anywhere on here or any of the lincoln mkz facebook groups I'm on is the A/C Evaporator Core going out. That involves removing the dash, console, steering column. Front doors, and make it easy on yourself by taking out the front seats. The cheapest bid I got was $1, 995. The highest $3, 800 from Lincoln. 2016 MKZ Hybrid with 92K miles. Southeast Houston, TX. Bought in 2020 with 52K miles. No problems until now!

[fpaltenhoff]

This is from some of the facebook fusion forums regarding the 2.0t, but seems to apply mainly to the 13-16 model years. From what I’ve understood, for some reason the spanish built 2.0 ecoboost seems to be the least likely to suffer from coolant intrusion, which luckily my 2016 has. That being said, anyone looking at that engine in ANY Ford/Lincoln product should absolutely get an extended warranty in case it does happen. 17-19 is where the original recall happened. 20 seems to have had the issue resolved

[Runner]

2017 MKZ 2.0T, 55K miles owner here. My vehicle experienced coolant intrusion from one of the cylinders and getting a new engine.

[danibee]

Bought my 2013 MKZ Hybrid new from the dealer. I have 70K miles on it and it by far is the most reliable car I’ve owned, and it consistently gets 41 MPG or better. I love this car!

[chrisjenkins]

I’ve got a 2019 MKZ black on black premium package with the glass roof. The car is garage kept and it only has 17K miles on it. Once Lincoln announced that 2020 would be the end of the Z’s I figured I would try to preserve my 2019 the best I could. From what I’ve seen, people are definitely paying a premium for a 19 or 20 Z w/low mileage. I think I’m going to just keep it like this for a few more years and then see what kind of $$ I can get for it. Also, I had taken the factory 19 inch rims off, as soon as I bought the car. I always put custom 20’s on all my new cars. So the factory rims and brand new Michelin tires are still brand new. Those are being stored in a climate controlled storage unit. I fire up the car and drive it for 5-10 miles, about once a week.

Thanks for your thoughts on the car and for making the video.

[patriciakellogg]

Another problem is pin breaking in inside door handles. This is not limited to just the MKZ BUT has only been recalled on the fords, not lincolns

[CheckThisOut]

Bought a surprise Christmas MKZ for my wife last year. 2019 Reserve w/moon roof. 50k miles. $32k. (I only buy used and do not finance). We LOVE the car…no problems.

[BWBParmwrestling]

Had a unicorn 2017 3.0fwd for 3 years and 70k miles until it hit 100k. Other than eating tires for every meal I had no trouble with it and it was an amazing car. Thinking about getting another

[troyandog]

The door rust issue is because seam sealant is applied before the door is painted. To repair, remove the existing sealant, sandblast seam, sand smooth and apply epoxy primer. Re seam seal and finish paint. It will not return. I have owned a 2013 2.0 turbo AWD for 100, 000 miles with no major issues.

[brianriggins]

My 2019 MKZ Rt Headlamp led light bar not working but when I auto start it blinks some but goes out but comes on and stays on the driver's side... Only 34000 miles and have had for about 2 Months ..had a AC compressor went bad after 2 weeks. Dealer where purchased vehicle fixed at no cost.
Vehicle factory warranty is out with no extended warranty but checking in to purchase....ordered a new OEM rt hdlamp which my cost is 1100 and retails for 1600.00
Work at a collision shop so I can send back if it's a cheaper fix...should have Monday and leaving for a 1000 mile trip next Thurs for vacay...Please give me advice/opinion
Just subscribed to your channel and watched parts 1 and 2 but cant find much info
Thanks and Do love this car...I just pray I didn't get a lemon😢

[jhardman]

I wish to add a problem just uncovered with my 2014 MKZ. I purchased this car brand new from my LINCOLN dealer in March of 2014. The car presently has 12, 800 miles on the odometer. A few weeks ago I opened the trunk to remove the jack from the spare tire well and noticed to my surprise that water was laying around the spare tire. A week later I took the car to my dealer for examination, Initially it was determined that the water leak did NOT come from my trunk lid but after inspection by the dealer they notified that the leak came from a water drain problem not visible externally but was caused by an apparent opening to the internal sheet metal structure under the spare tire cover. Further I was told that to repair this leak, they would have to order the parts BUT that they would have to remove most of the rear section of the back of the car to replace the problem area. Since the car is past the warranty period, all costs to eliminate this leak would be borne by me. I suggest those of you with a LINCOLN made in the first several years of this design, open your trunk, raise the spare tire cover and inspect the well where the tire lays for water. I was told the cost will be around $900.00. Out of my pocket.

[THEJavelinX]

9 years, 180k miles. Relatively few major issues but some smaller ones...although I did get a near rear end and battery because I got rear ended... my o2 sensor in the tank has intermittent issues, usually after I fill it up to a full tank..but if I hit a bump with some force the warning light for it goes away (it's the generic engine warning light, but I have a code reader). Has been like that for 4 years or more now, but it's never been a real problem for me, and not worth dropping the tank to fiddle with it....maybe I'll blow up one day.

My rear seatbelts with the airbags built in, the receptacle housing for those fell apart under repeated wreckless use by my kids, so now I have to jam my finger in there to undo the belt when they want out...still works as intended for seat belt purposes, and the dealership wants $500 per seatbelt because they only sell it as a whole assembly (with the airbag belt and all)...not paying $1000 for $1 with of plastic when they still function.

I also had the issue with the roof shade, in mine it's so hot where I am that the glue that connects the metal bands on the side of the shade rod to the cloth...disconnected because they are glued to the cloth. I cut the metal bands off with snips and the whole thing works like a charm again...Definitely have to lubricate all of the parts of the panoramic roof every 6-9 months, or it will start to squeal when you put the glass back.

The plastic cover that covers the rear view mirror components behind the mirror has come loose over time, i need to glue it back in place...again, the heat is special here (Georgia and now Texas for 9 years).

[mcallihan]

I am a big fan of these CD4 platform cars. My personal recommendation would be that if you are in the market for one of these, you should buy either a hybrid or the 3.0T AWD. Maintain these and they are great cars with a great value and nice features! I personally have a Ford Fusion Sport, so on the same platform but looks different. PTU Fluid is definitely an important maintenance item!

[toneburgos]

Here is a simple solution: So just squeeze some brake grease on the track...this grease does not dry up cause its for high heat application and does not run or drip when hot.😉👍