The 2013 Lincoln MKZ is a premium midsize sedan built on Ford's CD4 platform, sharing DNA with the Fusion. The major headaches center on catastrophic 2.0L EcoBoost engine failures, transmission cooling issues, door latch recalls, and electric power steering problems—none trivial.
Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust, especially on cold start, Coolant loss with no visible leaks, Rough idle or misfires, especially cylinder 3 and 4, Milky oil or coolant in oil pan, Hydrolock leading to bent connecting rods
Fix: Root cause is a cracked cylinder head allowing coolant into cylinders, destroying pistons and bearings. Requires complete engine rebuild (pistons, rings, bearings, head gaskets, decking heads) or short-block replacement. 18-24 labor hours for rebuild, 14-18 hours for short-block swap.
Symptoms: Transmission slipping or delayed engagement, Milky or pink transmission fluid, Coolant mixing with ATF in radiator or cooler, Overheating transmission temperatures
Fix: The internal transmission cooler in the radiator fails, allowing coolant and ATF to cross-contaminate. Requires new radiator, complete transmission flush (often multiple flushes), cooler lines, and sometimes full transmission rebuild if contamination circulated long. Flush and cooler: 4-6 hours; if trans rebuild needed, add 12-16 hours.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,500 (cooler/flush) or $3,500-5,500 (with trans rebuild)
Door Latch Failures and Recall (Multiple Recalls)
Common · medium severity
Symptoms: Doors will not latch closed or pop open while driving, Door ajar warning with door fully closed, Inability to open door from inside or outside, Pawl spring or latch mechanism breaking
Fix: Factory door latches fail due to defective pawl springs—covered under multiple recalls (14S22, 15S16, 16S30) but often owners experience issues outside recall windows or on non-covered doors. Replacement latch per door: 1.5-2.5 hours labor each.
Estimated cost: $250-450 per door (if not recall-covered)
Electric Power Steering (EPAS) Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Complete loss of power steering assist while driving, "Steering Assist Fault" warning on dash, Stiff, heavy steering requiring extreme effort, Intermittent assist loss, especially in cold weather
Fix: EPAS module or steering gear motor fails—subject to recall 14S07 and 15S21 for some VINs. Steering column harness connector corrosion is common culprit. Diagnosis: 1 hour; EPAS module replacement: 2-3 hours; full steering gear: 4-6 hours.
Estimated cost: $800-1,500 (module) or $1,800-3,200 (full gear)
Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking during hard acceleration or deceleration, Excessive vibration at idle in Drive, Visible engine/trans movement when revving in Park, Drivetrain shudder during shifts
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount (often called the "roll restrictor") fails, allowing excessive powertrain movement. Replacement requires engine support and subframe access. 2.5-3.5 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Fuel Filter Clogging (EcoBoost and Twin-Turbo V6)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting or extended cranking, Loss of power under load, especially uphill, Rough idle or stumbling acceleration, Check engine light with low fuel pressure codes (P0087, P0191)
Fix: In-tank fuel filter and fuel pump module can clog, especially with contaminated fuel. Requires fuel tank drop and pump/filter assembly replacement. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $600-1,100
Headlight Condensation and LED Failures
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Water or condensation visible inside headlight lens, LED daytime running lights or turn signals flickering or out, Headlight projector fogging reducing nighttime visibility
Fix: Adaptive HID/LED headlight assemblies develop seal failures allowing moisture intrusion. Driver module in headlight can also fail. Full headlight assembly replacement: 1.5-2 hours per side. Recall 14C04 covered some units.
Estimated cost: $800-1,800 per headlight assembly
Owner tips
On 2.0L EcoBoost models, monitor coolant level religiously every 1,000 miles—any unexplained loss is a red flag for head cracks.
Check transmission fluid color and level every oil change; pink or milky fluid means immediate cooler inspection to prevent $4k+ trans rebuild.
Verify all door latch recalls completed (14S22, 15S16, 16S30) before purchase—failed latches are safety-critical.
EPAS recall coverage (14S07, 15S21) is VIN-specific; check with dealer and budget for potential out-of-pocket repair.
Avoid the 2.0L EcoBoost entirely if possible—3.7L V6 is far more reliable, though thirstier.
Hard pass on 2.0L EcoBoost models due to engine grenading risk; 3.7L V6 versions are tolerable if door/steering recalls are done and trans cooler has been addressed, but budget $2-3k reserve for inevitable issues.
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.
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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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · 20V331000
2020-06-08 · RQ19005
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. 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 dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
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.
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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · 17V210000
2017-03-27
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Fiesta, 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. 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 dealers will replace all four door latches, free of charge. The recall began May 1, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.
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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · 15V246000
2015-04-24 · EA15002
Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on April 23, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured July 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013, and 2012-2014 Fiesta vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 119,567 vehicles, including certain model year 2011 Ford Fiestas manufactured from November 11, 2009, to May 31, 2013 and certain model year 2013 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured from February 1, 2012, to June 30, 2012. 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 dealers will replace all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed to owners on June 5, 2015. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.
AIR BAGS · 14V597000
2014-09-26
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured January 19, 2012, to November 21, 2013; Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to August 24, 2013; Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to November 1, 2013; and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to September 30, 2013. The coating on portions of the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may crack, and when exposed to humidity, circuits on the printed circuit board may short.
Consequence: The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on May 26,2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S21.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER · 14V164000
2014-04-02
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured August 15, 2012, through September 10, 2013, 2013-2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured June 5, 2012, through August 12, 2013, and 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured from July 23, 2012, through May 28, 2013. The driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have been produced with sub-standard weld joints used to attach the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat frame. The affected seat backs may have insufficient strength to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
Consequence: The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14C03.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 13V594000
2013-11-25
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid vehicles manufactured April 26, 2012, through September 24, 2013. Due to a manufacturing error, the transmission range sensor may not function properly allowing the affected vehicles to be shifted out of the Park position without first applying the brake pedal. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection."
Consequence: Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park, allowing it to roll which may result in a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new software, free of charge. The recall began on January 2014. Customers may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13C09.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · 13V227000
2013-05-31
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · 13V230000
2013-05-31
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, through March 15, 2013 and equipped with an engine block heater. During use, the engine block heater cords may be bent and in certain temperatures, the wire insulation may crack, exposing the electrical wires.
Consequence: Exposed electrical wires increase the risk of electric shock.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the block heater cord, free of charge. The recall began on June 28, 2013. Ford's recall number is 13S05. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
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