Lincoln Mkz steering problems: 22 NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls across 6 model years (2015–2020).
Across all model years of the Lincoln Mkz, there have been 22 NHTSA complaints specifically related to steering, spanning from 2015–2020. Below is a year-by-year breakdown showing which Mkz model years have the strongest official complaint and recall signal for this component.
| Year | Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2015 Lincoln Mkz | 5 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2016 Lincoln Mkz | 10 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2017 Lincoln Mkz | 3 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2018 Lincoln Mkz | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2019 Lincoln Mkz | 3 | 0 |
| 2020 | 2020 Lincoln Mkz | 1 | 0 |
The steering system translates driver input into directional control, with electric power steering (EPS) units now nearly universal on new vehicles and hydraulic systems still common on older models. Reported issues include EPS module failures producing complete loss of assist, intermittent steering pull, steering-wheel detachment in extreme cases, tie-rod and ball-joint wear, and software-related faults that cause the system to disengage at speed. A steering failure at speed can produce immediate loss of lane-keeping control. Even partial failures (sudden loss of assist) often surprise drivers and contribute to crashes during evasive maneuvers.
Heavy steering effort, vibration through the wheel, audible clunks during low-speed maneuvering, and any steering-related warning light should be addressed before a sudden complete failure occurs.
With 22 lincoln mkz steering complaints reported across 1 model spanning 2015–2020, this combination falls into a moderate signal band. In practice, that means the volume is significant enough to warrant attention but not yet at the threshold that typically triggers regulator-led investigations. Complaint volume is not the only thing that matters — severity (whether the defect caused crashes, fires, or injuries) and consistency (whether multiple owners describe the same failure mode) are equally important when assessing real-world risk.
This breakdown shows how Lincoln Mkz Steering complaints are distributed across model years. A concentration in a particular year usually signals a generation-specific defect that may have been corrected in subsequent model years.
| Model Year | Vehicles | Complaints | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 1 | 3 | |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 1 | 3 | |
| 2016 | 1 | 10 | |
| 2015 | 1 | 5 |
If your vehicle is exhibiting lincoln mkz steering issues that match the patterns described in NHTSA complaints, take these steps in order. First, check your VIN for active recalls using NHTSA's free recall lookup tool — recall remedies are repaired at no cost to the owner regardless of warranty status. Second, document the failure with dated photos or video, and keep copies of any service records, parts replacements, or dealer communications related to the issue. Third, file a complaint with NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/recalls — every complaint contributes to the pattern recognition that triggers investigations and, ultimately, recalls. The complaint should describe what happened, when, the vehicle's mileage at the time, and whether anyone was injured. Fourth, if the issue presents an immediate safety hazard (loss of braking, steering, throttle control, fire, or unintended airbag deployment), discontinue driving and have the vehicle towed to a qualified repair facility rather than risking a crash to reach a dealer.
The data on this page is drawn from three distinct NHTSA sources that owners frequently confuse. Complaints are reports submitted by individual vehicle owners describing a problem they experienced — they are unverified narratives, but in aggregate they reveal patterns. Recalls are formal manufacturer-initiated campaigns to repair a confirmed safety defect on a specified set of VINs; the manufacturer pays for the repair and is required to notify affected owners by mail. Investigations are NHTSA-led inquiries that often start when complaint volume crosses a threshold for a particular component or model — they may conclude with a manufacturer-issued recall, a finding of no defect, or remain open while data accumulates. A high complaint count without a corresponding recall does not mean the issue is unimportant; it sometimes means an investigation is ongoing or that NHTSA has not yet acted. Conversely, a small recall on a low-complaint model means the defect is severe enough that the manufacturer chose to remediate proactively.
This page aggregates lincoln mkz steering safety records published by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Records are matched to make, model, and year using NHTSA's classifications, and complaint counts are deduplicated by ODI number. The dataset includes consumer complaints, manufacturer-issued recalls, Technical Service Bulletins, and crash investigations. Records are refreshed on a rolling basis as new complaints, recalls, and TSBs are published. Counts on this page reflect what is currently in our database; we do not include records flagged as duplicate, withdrawn, or outside the model-year window.
NHTSA's database currently shows 22 lincoln mkz steering complaints across 1 distinct model spanning 2015–2020. Complaint counts grow continuously as new owner reports are filed and processed.
The Mkz, with the top model accounting for 22 reported steering complaints. The complete model breakdown is available in the table on this page.
Among the records on this page, the 2016 model year accounts for the highest steering complaint volume (10 reports). A concentration in a single year often indicates a generation-specific defect; concentrations across consecutive years can suggest an ongoing supplier or design issue.
Recall status varies by VIN. Even when complaint volumes are high, recalls are issued per-defect, not per-component, so some lincoln mkz steering complaints lead to recalls while others remain unaddressed. Check your specific VIN against NHTSA's recall lookup or browse the recall pages linked from each vehicle profile to see which campaigns apply.
Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are formal manufacturer campaigns to repair confirmed defects on specified VINs at no cost to the owner. Complaints often come first and, when patterns emerge, can prompt investigations that lead to recalls. A high complaint count on a vehicle without a recall does not mean the issue is benign — it sometimes means investigation or remedy is still in progress.
It depends on (1) whether the issue is covered by an active recall and the recall has been performed, (2) the severity of the failure modes reported, and (3) whether the specific VIN has a documented service history showing the relevant repairs. A used-vehicle inspection by a qualified mechanic, plus a VIN check against NHTSA's recall database, are the practical minimum steps before purchase.
Submit safety complaints directly to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/recalls — there is no fee, and you do not need to be the original owner. Include the VIN, model year, mileage at time of incident, a description of what happened, and whether anyone was injured. Each complaint contributes to the pattern recognition NHTSA uses to decide whether to open an investigation.