The 2015 Lincoln MKZ shares the Ford Fusion platform and offers five powertrains with widely varying reliability. The 2.0L EcoBoost and 3.7L V6 see frequent catastrophic engine failures, while the hybrid proves more durable but suffers transmission cooler and cooling system issues common to the entire lineup.
Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Sudden coolant loss with no visible leaks, Rough idle and misfires, Milky oil on dipstick, Complete engine seizure in worst cases
Fix: Internal coolant leak through cylinder head or block causes hydrolock and bearing damage. Requires short block or complete engine replacement. 18-24 hours labor for engine R&R plus machine work if salvageable.
Estimated cost: $6,500-12,000
3.7L V6 Timing Chain Failure and Water Pump Issues
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling noise on cold start from front of engine, Coolant leaks from timing cover area, Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes, Engine overheating, Sudden loss of power
Fix: Timing chains stretch and guides fail; internal water pump fails and dumps coolant into oil. Both require timing cover removal. 12-16 hours labor to replace chains, guides, tensioners, and water pump together.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure (All Models)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid leaking near radiator, Overheating transmission, Harsh or delayed shifts, Pink or milky transmission fluid indicating coolant cross-contamination, Sudden transmission failure if coolant mixes
Fix: Factory cooler lines corrode and rupture, or internal cooler fails allowing coolant into transmission. Requires line replacement and often complete transmission fluid flush or rebuild if contamination occurred. 3-5 hours for lines, 20+ hours if transmission damaged.
Symptoms: Complete loss of power steering assist, Steering wheel becomes extremely heavy, Warning messages on instrument cluster, Intermittent assist loss then complete failure, No warning before total failure in some cases
Fix: EPAS motor or control module fails, subject to multiple recalls but issues persist. Requires steering column removal and EPAS unit replacement. 4-6 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800
PTU and Rear Differential Leaks (AWD Models)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Fluid leaks under center or rear of vehicle, Whining or grinding noise during turns, Vibration during acceleration, Binding sensation in tight turns, Burnt fluid smell
Fix: Power transfer unit seals leak, often due to inadequate fluid change intervals (should be every 30k despite 'lifetime fill' claim). Rear diff also seeps. PTU replacement 4-5 hours, rear diff reseal 3-4 hours. Catching leaks early prevents $3k+ PTU replacement.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200 (seal replacement), $2,500-3,500 (PTU replacement if damaged)
Water Pump and Thermostat Housing Leaks (All Engines)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant puddles under vehicle, Sweet smell from engine bay, Low coolant warning light, Engine overheating, Visible coolant weeping from thermostat housing or water pump area
Fix: Plastic thermostat housings crack, water pumps leak from weep holes. 2.0L EcoBoost has external pump (3-4 hours), 3.7L has internal pump requiring timing cover removal (12+ hours with chains). Hybrid has electric pump with different issues (5-6 hours).
Estimated cost: $500-900 (2.0L/Hybrid), $3,000-4,500 (3.7L with timing work)
Door Latch Failures
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Doors will not latch closed, Door ajar warning with doors closed, Doors pop open while driving, Double-pull required to open door, Keyless entry works but door won't secure
Fix: Internal latch mechanism pawl spring fails, subject to recall 15S16 but problems continue. Requires door panel removal and latch replacement per door. 1.5-2 hours per door.
Estimated cost: $350-600 per door
Hybrid Battery Cooling Fan and 12V Battery Failures (Hybrid Only)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Hybrid system warning lights, Reduced electric-only range, Repeated 12V battery failures every 2-3 years, Fan noise from rear seat area, Vehicle won't start despite good 12V battery
Fix: High-voltage battery cooling fan fails causing HVB overheating protection mode. Undersized 12V battery drains quickly from hybrid computer loads. HVB fan replacement 2-3 hours, but catching it early prevents $4k+ HVB replacement. Use Group 96R AGM battery only.
Use only Motorcraft Mercon LV in transmission; aftermarket fluids accelerate cooler line corrosion
Install aftermarket transmission cooler if towing or in hot climates—factory cooler is marginal
Keep records of any EPAS, door latch, or brake line recalls—TSBs and recalls don't always fix root causes
Hard pass on 2.0L EcoBoost; consider hybrid with full service records or 3.7L V6 only if timing work documented and priced $4k under market to offset risk.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Be the first to unlock repairs for the 2015 Lincoln MKZ
Procedures haven't been generated for this vehicle yet. Become the founding sponsor and we'll generate expert-grade, step-by-step repair walkthroughs for every common job on it — free for every mechanic and DIYer who looks it up after, forever.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 25V695000
2025-10-13
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.
Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. 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 became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 23V162000
2023-03-10 · RQ22004
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Consequence: A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES · 22V011000
2022-01-13
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · 20E025000
2020-04-24
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Replacement Headlamps, part number DP5Z-13008-T and DP5Z-13008-V, sold for use with 2013-2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The headlamps may have an improper beam pattern and incorrect horizontal adjustment, the side markers may not illuminate and DOT markings may be missing. As such, these headlamps fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: The incorrect headlamps may reduce the driver's visibility or make the vehicle less visible, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify vehicle manufacturers, and dealers will inspect the headlamps, and replace the headlamps, as necessary, free of charge. Additionally, Ford will instruct dealers to return all improper headlamps and not to install them on any vehicles. The recall began June 3, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C10.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · 20V177000
2020-03-23 · RQ19005
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.
Consequence: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: 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.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · 19V632000
2019-08-29
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT · 19V590000
2019-08-12
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.
Consequence: A failed seat belt anchor cable cannot properly restrain the front seat occupants, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR · 18V167000
2018-03-12 · PE17007
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.
Consequence: A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT · 16V875000
2016-12-05
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.
Consequence: If the driver or front passenger seatbelt cables cannot properly restrain the front seat occupants, they would be at an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · 15V250000
2015-04-28
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · 15V248000
2015-04-27
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."
Consequence: If the light output is excessive, oncoming traffic may be temporarily blinded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 50 requests/day, no card required.