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ProblemsByVin File / 2013-LINCOLN-MKZ NHTSA data synced 7 hours ago
2013 · Lincoln

Lincoln MKZ problems

108 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.8 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
0
Severe
1
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 MKZ?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

steering
16 reports · fails ~64,497 mi · avg $700
moderate
electrical
14 reports · fails ~50,473 mi · avg $850
moderate
powertrain
12 reports · fails ~49,603 mi · avg $2,500
severe
body
10 reports · fails ~71,889 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
engine
9 reports · fails ~53,546 mi · avg $3,100
severe
brakes
6 reports · fails ~88,500 mi · avg $450
moderate
seatbelts
6 reports · fails ~48,825 mi · avg $500
moderate
wheels
5 reports · fails ~35,448 mi · avg $400
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2013 MKZ's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2013 MKZ?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2013 MKZ · steering
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering was vibrating and jiggling. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loosened near the gear housing. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not…
12/16/2024 · at 63,800 mi · NHTSA ODI #11630952.0 · see steering pattern →
2013 MKZ · fuel system Fire
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, he saw smoke entering through the vents. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving the vehicle to a near friend's residence. The contact stated when he open the…
11/30/2022 · at 136,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11495511.0
2013 MKZ · powertrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Lincoln mkz. When the contact parked the vehicle, the gear indicator did not display the park position when the vehicle was shut off. The contact must reshift to the park position several times before it the gear position displayed correctly. The…
11/19/2018 · at 100,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11152385.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2013 MKZ · engine
Catalytic converter, reduced engine power and toxic fumes. I had it inspected and would cost me $1200, I purchased the vehicle from dealership and was not made aware of the recalls and customer satisfaction program that would have covered the catalytic converter under campaign…
View all 108 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2013 Lincoln MKZ? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

moderate NHTSA 13V230000 May 31, 2013

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

Exposed electrical wires increase the risk of electric shock.

Fix: 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.

Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA

EA Air Bags › Frontal · opened September 2021

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →

How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →

Common questions

Is the 2013 Lincoln MKZ reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Lincoln MKZ is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2013 Lincoln MKZ?

On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Lincoln MKZ does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2013 Lincoln MKZ?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 16 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 64,497 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 64,497 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Lincoln MKZ has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Lincoln MKZ?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 108 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 7 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Lincoln/MKZ. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Lincoln. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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