Lincoln MKZ 2
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The MKZ II is Lincoln's attempt at a mid-size luxury sedan built on the Ford Fusion platform. The mechanical kinship is impossible to miss, but Lincoln goes its own way when it comes to styling and interior ambition. A buyer gets a quiet, comfortably tuned sedan with upscale appointments, though there is no getting around the fact that Fusion hardware sits under the sheet metal. That is both a blessing and a curse: parts are widely available and cheaper than what the German premium rivals demand, but the car lacks a truly distinct engineering character of its own.
On the engine front the recommendation is clear. The 3.7L Duratec V6 is the most reliable choice. Without turbo complexity the naturally aspirated engine runs solidly, but it hides one nasty weak spot: the chain-driven water pump sits deep in the valley of the engine, and when it fails the repair requires largely tearing the engine down. That is the most expensive job on the whole car, so its condition and history should be checked before purchase. The 2.0L EcoBoost is the more economical alternative but brings the familiar turbo issues: intake valve carbon buildup from direct injection, wastegate trouble and, far more serious, hairline cracks in the engine block that let coolant escape into the combustion chamber. That block problem is no minor fault and makes the 2.0 the risk candidate of the lineup. The hybrid variant is efficient but has its own trouble spots in the high-voltage electronics.
Among the vehicle-level issues, infotainment comes first. MyLincoln Touch, or SYNC 2, in the 2013 to 2016 cars regularly freezes or goes to a black display, an APIM module fault that is annoying but rarely affects driving. The 6F35 transmission tends toward torque converter shudder at higher mileage, and recall 17S16 for improperly welded converter bolts should be confirmed as complete. Frustrating for a luxury car: the soft-touch surfaces inside peel and delaminate over time, and the door-handle lighting marketed as a signature feature likes to fail early. The aluminum body panels can also develop paint blistering under the clear coat.
Bottom line, the MKZ II is a solid, comfortable luxury car for buyers who want to sidestep German depreciation. Anyone who picks the 3.7 V6 with a documented water pump history, sees all open recalls closed out and can live with the occasional electronic glitch will do just fine. The 2.0 EcoBoost without a complete engine block history is best avoided.
305 PS
MKZ · Benzin
Smooth V6 presence without drama
Fun to Drive!243 PS
2.0L EcoBoost I4 Benzin
8 weaknesses
Stay Away!Engine Overview
The Lincoln MKZ 2 is available with 4 engine variants — from 203 to 305 hp.
The 2.0L EcoBoost I4 in the Nautilus CD539 is derived from the Edge-era EcoBoost-2.0 block with minor output adjustments. The 8F35 transmission shows shift shudder that TSB 25-2154 fixes via PCM reflash in most cases. Coolant loss from hairline block cracks was seen in the MKX predecessor — rare in the CD539 but worth monitoring. Direct injection: check intake valves around 80,000 km.
- !! Low-pressure fuel pump (LPFP) failure from 120,000 km
The in-tank low-pressure fuel pump is a known weak point across all 2.0 EcoBoost engines. A clogged fuel filter increases pump load until failure.
Symptoms: Stumbling and power loss under load, difficult starting, code P0087, sudden engine stall. - !! Hairline cracks in cylinder block (coolant loss) from 120,000 km
Older 2.0 EcoBoost engines show hairline cracks in the open-deck block at high mileages, with coolant ingress. The problem existed until around 2019; the newer block is more robust.
Symptoms: Coolant loss without visible leak, rough cold start, oil-coolant mix. - !! Hairline crack in cylinder block — coolant entering combustion chamber from 60,000 km
A design-series defect up to mid-2019: a hairline crack in the cylinder block between the cylinders allows coolant to enter the combustion chamber. Ford revised the block from mid-2019.
Symptoms: Coolant loss without external leak; rough engine running on cold start; white smoke from the exhaust; milky coolant.
+ 5 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 3.0L TT V6 in the Aviator is a more heavily cooled variant of the Cyclone block with reinforced main bearings. Pre-May 2020 builds had a 10R60 A-clutch snap ring issue — resolved by summer 2020. Recall 24S55 for brittle Silchrome intake valves covers June–October 2021 build dates. The PHEV Grand Touring pairs the V6 with a 47-kWh battery pack and a rear electric axle.
- !! Twin-Turbo System Wear from 140,000 km
The 3.0 EcoBoost V6 BQWA uses two turbochargers that wear quickly in poor oil conditions or at long service intervals. Oil changes every 10,000 km are critical for turbo longevity.
Symptoms: Boost pressure fluctuations, whistling from one or both turbos, bluish smoke - !! Head Gasket Failed — Coolant Loss from 60,000 km
The 1.5 EcoBoost (Focus, Kuga from 2014) shows a concentration of head gasket failures from a design-related weak point: narrow coolant passages between cylinders increase thermal stress on the gasket.
Symptoms: Dropping coolant without visible leak, overpressure in coolant reservoir, white exhaust smoke with coolant smell, temperature gauge spike - !! Timing Chain Rattle from 150,000 km
The 3.0L EcoBoost V6 BQWA (S-Max Vignale, Mondeo Vignale) can develop wear on the timing chain tensioner at high mileages. Rattling on cold start is the typical warning sign.
Symptoms: Metallic rattle on cold start from the timing chain area, stops after warm-up
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 3.7L naturally aspirated V6 in the MKZ II is the more straightforward choice — no turbo complexity, solid long-term durability. The main weakness is the internally mounted chain-driven water pump: failure requires extensive disassembly. Post-2012 redesigned cam phaser sprockets made this engine significantly more reliable. Regular oil and coolant checks are essential.
- !! Cam Phaser Rattle from 80,000 km
The 3.7L Duratec V6 (Mustang S197 V6, Kuga) shows rattle from hydraulic cam phasers at low oil pressure, like the Mustang V6 S197. Oil changes every 8,000 km are mandatory.
Symptoms: Rattle on cold start from the timing drive, sounds like a loose timing chain - !! Water Pump Shaft Seal Failure from 100,000 km
The external water pump on the 3.7L Duratec V6 is prone to shaft seal leaks at mileages over 100,000 km. Coolant loss and overheating damage result.
Symptoms: Coolant leak from the side under the engine, engine temperature rising, warning light - !! Internal Chain-Driven Water Pump Failure from 130,000 km
On the transversely mounted 3.7 V6 the timing chain drives the internal water pump. If the pump fails, coolant enters the crankcase directly — high risk of engine destruction if not stopped immediately.
Symptoms: Coolant loss without external leak, oil discoloured milky, temperature gauge rising.
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 2.5L Atkinson-cycle engine in the Corsair Grand Touring is a naturally aspirated hybrid motor without a turbocharger — it runs the Atkinson cycle for efficiency and relies on electric assist for performance. No belt drive (chain cam). The LG Energy Solution high-voltage battery pack was subject to a fire recall due to folded anode tabs; replacement packs are now in the field. Regenerative braking can feel unusual in cold weather.
- !! NiMH High-Voltage Battery Pack Degradation from 200,000 km
The 30-module NiMH battery pack gradually loses capacity, especially in hot climates. Reduced electric assist leads to increased fuel consumption. Remanufactured packs cost $2,500-$3,500 — significantly less than dealer replacement.
Symptoms: Reduced fuel economy, hybrid system warning lights, vehicle running on gas engine more frequently, loss of electric assist - !! ABS Hydraulic Control Unit Failure from 155,000 km
The integrated ABS/regenerative braking hydraulic control unit fails, causing loss of braking power. Over 129 complaints on CarComplaints.com for the 2008 model alone. Replacement costs $4,500-$7,000 and requires dealer-only parts — no aftermarket alternative exists.
Symptoms: ABS warning light, 'check brake system' message, spongy brake pedal, grinding noise on braking, 'regen brakes disabled' warning, brake pedal to floor - !! Hybrid Electronics Cooling Pump Failure from 100,000 km
The motor electronics cooling (MEC) pump circulates coolant through the hybrid battery and power electronics. When it fails, the vehicle displays 'Stop Safely Now' and shuts down at highway speed — a serious safety hazard.
Symptoms: 'Stop Safely Now' warning at highway speed, complete power loss, triangle exclamation point on dashboard, vehicle restart may work temporarily
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| 6F35 Transmission: Torque Converter Shudder The 6F35 six-speed in the MKZ II develops torque converter shudder in lock-up mode at high mileage. Fluid changes every 60,000 km are recommended as a preventative measure. Symptoms: Vibration or shudder between 40–65 mph, jerky shifts, hesitation pulling away from a stop. from 80,000 km | High |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 31 weaknesses have been documented for the Lincoln MKZ 2 (2013–2020) — 23 engine-related and 8 vehicle-related. 2 problem engines: Duratec25-Atkinson-Escape (2.5L Atkinson PHEV), EcoBoost-2.0-Edge (2.0L EcoBoost I4). Typical issues affect Gearbox, Other, Electronics, Interior.
MKZ (EcoBoost-2.0-Edge, 2013–2020) — Stay Away!: Low-pressure fuel pump (LPFP) failure, Hairline cracks in cylinder block (coolant loss), Hairline crack in cylinder block — coolant entering combustion chamber. Power: 240 PS.
MKZ (Duratec-37, 2013–2016) — Be Careful: Cam Phaser Rattle, Water Pump Shaft Seal Failure, Internal Chain-Driven Water Pump Failure. Power: 305 PS.
MKZ (BQWA, 2017–2020) — Be Careful: Twin-Turbo System Wear, Head Gasket Failed — Coolant Loss, Timing Chain Rattle. Power: 300 PS.
MKZ (Duratec25-Atkinson-Escape, 2013–2020) — Stay Away!: NiMH High-Voltage Battery Pack Degradation, ABS Hydraulic Control Unit Failure, Hybrid Electronics Cooling Pump Failure. Power: 203 PS.
What to watch out for with the Lincoln MKZ? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee