Is takata air bag inflator recall a known issue with the 2016 Lincoln Mkz?

9 NHTSA complaints have been filed about takata air bag inflator recall on the 2016 Lincoln Mkz (2017-03 → 2019-05). Reported component: AIR BAGS. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #10959933): "SAFETY RECALL NOT COMPLETED I FEAR I WILL GET INTO A CRASH AND BE KILLED FROM FLYING METAL FROM AIR BAG. WHAT IS GOING ON? WHY IS THIS NOT TAKEN CARE OF?" Source: NHTSA.

2016 Lincoln Mkz Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

Q: Is rear-view camera failure or blank display a known issue with the 2016 Lincoln Mkz?

11 NHTSA complaints have been filed about rear-view camera failure or blank display on the 2016 Lincoln Mkz (2025-05 → 2026-05). Reported component: BACK OVER PREVENTION. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11735998): "The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera would display a black screen whenever in reverse. The camera would fail the majority of the time when in reverse. The failure related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over" Source: NHTSA.

Q: Is loss of electric power steering assist a known issue with the 2016 Lincoln Mkz?

11 NHTSA complaints have been filed about loss of electric power steering assist on the 2016 Lincoln Mkz (2018-04 → 2026-03). Reported component: STEERING. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11726289): "The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became loose, and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact stated that the front end made an abnormal humming sound. The vehicle experienced a loss of" Source: NHTSA.

Q: Is front brake hose leak and loss of braking a known issue with the 2016 Lincoln Mkz?

10 NHTSA complaints have been filed about front brake hose leak and loss of braking on the 2016 Lincoln Mkz (2022-07 → 2024-04). Reported component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11476282): "While driving, my passenger front brake line bursted. This is not normal and should not have happened. I had my kids in the car. I was able to coast into a parking lot to get off the road. There was no road hazards either at the time of the incident. There is no know cause to me" Source: NHTSA.

Q: Is engine coolant intrusion requiring engine replacement a known issue with the 2016 Lincoln Mkz?

5 NHTSA complaints have been filed about engine coolant intrusion requiring engine replacement on the 2016 Lincoln Mkz (2023-08 → 2025-06). Reported component: ENGINE. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11666907): "My MKZ started slowly losing coolant and running rough particularly upon starting the engine. Two days later the overheating warning came on and I pulled over and shut off the engine. Sioux Falls Ford has diagnosed it as coolant intrusion in the engine requiring a new engine" Source: NHTSA.

The 2016 Lincoln Mkz carries 7 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering electric power assist system and steering wheel/handle bar. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Rear-view camera failure or blank display.” Lincoln uses Ford's Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor: it tracks how the vehicle is actually driven and calls for oil service when needed — up to 10,000 miles or 12 months on normal duty, much sooner with towing or repeated short trips. EcoBoost-powered Aviators and Nautilus models are turbocharged: heat is their maintenance story, so oil quality and cooling-system health matter more than on the old naturally aspirated V8s. Traditional V8 Navigators and Town Cars are long-interval machines — 100,000-mile plugs — that mostly reward fluid discipline.

7 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Campaign #19V632000 · Aug 29, 2019

Issue: 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.

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.

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Campaign #18V167000 · Dec 3, 2018

Issue: 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.

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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

Campaign #15V618000 · Jan 10, 2015

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 13, 2015, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a fuel tank that may have insufficent wall thickness. As a result, the fuel tanks may crack in the event of a crash and thus the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

Risk: A fuel tank that cracks may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C11.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Campaign #20V177000 · Mar 23, 2020

Issue: 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.

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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Campaign #20E025000 · Apr 24, 2020

Issue: 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."

Risk: The incorrect headlamps may reduce the driver's visibility or make the vehicle less visible, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Campaign #23V162000 · Oct 3, 2023

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

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.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Campaign #23V775000 · Nov 17, 2023

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Fiesta, 2016 Fusion, and 2016 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 inside the door latches may break, which can make it difficult to latch or possibly allow the doors to open while driving.

Risk: Vehicle doors opening unexpectedly while driving can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the door latch date codes and if necessary, replace all four side door latches, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S15. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-177.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2016 Lincoln Mkz.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021
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 200…
View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Rear-view camera failure or blank display

BACK OVER PREVENTION

11 NHTSA complaints · 2025-05 → 2026-05

“The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera would display a black screen whenever in reverse. The camera would fail the majority of the time when in reverse. The failure related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11735998

“I have had this problem now for over a year, the backup camera on my 2016 Lincoln MKZ shows a panoramic view of the rear but things are reversed, left is on the right side and visa versa or the screen goes blank and a message states camera unavailable contact dealership”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11686316

“The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera was inoperable, and the message "Camera Is Unavailable" was displayed. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11674318

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loss of electric power steering assist

STEERING

11 NHTSA complaints · 2018-04 → 2026-03

“The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became loose, and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact stated that the front end made an abnormal humming sound. The vehicle experienced a loss of”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11726289

“Owner of 2016 MKZ Hybrid 65870 miles Loss of electronic power steering and Advance Trac Soon after replacement of Bolt under recall 19R02 I heard friction/grinding when turning steering wheel. Oct 1, 2021 I contacted Parks Lincoln of Tampa for a diagnostic and they told me the”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11443082

“Our power steering went out while driving into town. I'm lucky my husband was driving because it was so hard to turn the car to get to a safe location. Honolulu Ford stated we have a faulty steering rack and there is a recall for this issue 19V632000 but our car is not on the”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11433094

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front brake hose leak and loss of braking

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

10 NHTSA complaints · 2022-07 → 2024-04

“While driving, my passenger front brake line bursted. This is not normal and should not have happened. I had my kids in the car. I was able to coast into a parking lot to get off the road. There was no road hazards either at the time of the incident. There is no know cause to me”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11476282

“Sunday, Sept 11, 2022, 2:55 pm. Was stopped at light at 16/Mound in Warren, MI. My car lurched forward while I had my foot firmly on Brake, the brakes had failed, but no warning lamps were activated till after the crash. I bumped the vehicle in front of me, an older model Jeep”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11485863

“The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11519987

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine coolant intrusion requiring engine replacement

ENGINE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2023-08 → 2025-06

“My MKZ started slowly losing coolant and running rough particularly upon starting the engine. Two days later the overheating warning came on and I pulled over and shut off the engine. Sioux Falls Ford has diagnosed it as coolant intrusion in the engine requiring a new engine”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11666907

“The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated with smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle lost”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11664541

“The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the contact smelled a odor of burning. The contact was able to pull over into a parking lot and examined under the hood and notice that coolant had”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11536595

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata air bag inflator recall

AIR BAGS

9 NHTSA complaints · 2017-03 → 2019-05

“SAFETY RECALL NOT COMPLETED I FEAR I WILL GET INTO A CRASH AND BE KILLED FROM FLYING METAL FROM AIR BAG. WHAT IS GOING ON? WHY IS THIS NOT TAKEN CARE OF?”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10959933

“MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY RESULTING IN ME HAVING LIFE-LONG INJURIES. I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT IN AUGUST 31ST, 2017. I T-BONED A VEHICLE THAT CAME OUT OF A PARKING LOT ILLEGALLY RESULTING IN THE ACCIDENT. MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. IF THEY HAD I WOULD NOT HAVE SUSTAINED THE INJURIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11143881

“TAKATA RECALL-NEED TO REPLACE AIR BAGS BUT NO COMMUNICATION FROM DEALER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11042256

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 2 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil-Life Monitor)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the Oil-Life Monitor calls it — up to 10,000 miles or 12 months. EcoBoost engines (Aviator 3.0T): use the specified synthetic and don't stretch the monitor; turbos cook marginal oil.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles. Heavy Navigators shift a lot of weight — even wear is a ride-quality item, not just a tire-budget item.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil service. Town Car livery duty and Navigator towing both count as severe service for brakes.

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped. (2004-era Town Cars predate cabin filters; modern Lincolns locate it behind the glovebox.)

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement

Every 100,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (OAT) on modern models: first change around 10 years / 200,000 miles per Ford, though shops commonly refresh by 100,000. Older green-coolant V8s: every 5 years. Never mix chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Feature-heavy Lincolns (air suspension compressors, power everything) expose weak batteries as electrical gremlins first.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

21 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

complaints mentioning a crash

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2016 Lincoln Mkz reflects Lincoln's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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