2017 Lincoln MKZ Problems, Recalls & Reliability

182 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2017 Lincoln MKZ, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 69/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 74,745 miles.

182Complaints
69/100Trouble index
4Recalls
51,000Typical trouble mileage

Below average

Where 2017 sits among all MKZ years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Engine 81 complaints (45%) · typically ~74,745 miles
“I took my car for a check engine sensor. Mechanic told me there is coolant leaking into the engine. Bulletin 22-2229”— owner report to NHTSA, 2017 MKZ
Transmission & drivetrain 24 complaints (13%) · typically ~107,000 miles
Brakes & stability 16 complaints (9%) · typically ~75,500 miles
Electrical 14 complaints (8%)
Other 11 complaints (6%)
Fuel system 9 complaints (5%)

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 56 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 51,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 20,000 and 103,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (4)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 23V162000 2023

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

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…

POWER TRAIN 18V390000 2018

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.

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…

STEERING 18V167000 2018

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.

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…

POWER TRAIN 17V427000 2017

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.

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.…

Federal defect investigations

Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures RQ22004 opened 2022, closed 2023

Led to recall campaign 23V162000.

Technical service bulletins

222 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2017 Lincoln MKZ. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2017 MKZ TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2017peak 53 in 20252026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2017 Lincoln MKZ reliable?

The 2017 Lincoln MKZ drew 182 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 69/100, scored against the model's worst year (2007).

What are the most common 2017 Lincoln MKZ problems?

The top reported problems for the 2017 Lincoln MKZ are engine (81 complaints), transmission & drivetrain (24), and brakes & stability (16).

At what mileage do 2017 Lincoln MKZ problems show up?

Owners most often report 2017 Lincoln MKZ problems around 51,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 20,000 and 103,000 miles.

Does the 2017 Lincoln MKZ have recalls?

4 recall campaigns apply to the 2017 Lincoln MKZ. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

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Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.