For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a module from a vehicle or ordering a module using a different vehicle/VIN can cause ineffective repairs and additional vehicle down time. Make sure all appropriate Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures are followed when diagnosing the condition prior to all module replacements and only order modules using
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Lincoln MKZ body problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Lincoln MKZ have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the body at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 MKZ | 4 |
| 2011 MKZ | 7 |
| 2012 MKZ | 7 |
| 2013 MKZ (this page) | 10 |
| 2014 MKZ | 6 |
| 2015 MKZ | 4 |
When does it fail?
Of the 10 body complaints filed for the 2013 Lincoln MKZ, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 8 model years of Lincoln MKZ we track for body problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 10.
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2020 Escape/Fusion/MKZ, 2015-2018 Focus,2015-2019 MKC, 2015-2020 Edge/F150/Mustang, 2016-2018 MKX, 2016-2019 Explorer, 2017-2020 F-Super Duty, 2018-2020 EcoSport/Expedition, 2019-2020 Ranger/Nautilus vehicles may experience seat pan looseness, lateral movement, or a clunk/thump noise on turns. This may be due to the seat pan track. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to install a reinforcement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The most consistent complaint involves passenger and driver door latches failing to close, latch, or lock. Doors won't stay shut, bounce back open after closure attempts, or refuse to engage the lock mechanism. This creates a genuine safety hazard—owners describe having to manually hold doors shut while driving in traffic, on expressways, and in poor weather. Multiple owners cite NHTSA recall 15V246 from 2015, yet failures occur both after that recall was supposedly completed and on vehicles the dealer's system shows as not matching the recall profile. One owner reports the replacement latch lasted only 20 months. Cold temperatures appear to trigger failures in at least one case.
Water intrusion into the trunk is traced to failed factory welds along body seams and rear pillars. Two owners report this issue; dealers initially blamed the trunk lid and gaskets, but ASE-certified inspection confirmed the real culprit as defective factory welds. Mold and mildew develop as a result. Lincoln declined coverage claiming insufficient complaints and warranty expiration.
One owner reports hood rust and paint failure on a vehicle under 10 years old, despite the car never being exposed to salt roads or coastal conditions. Repairs typically run $200–$652 per door at dealers. Lincoln's response has been to cite recall eligibility gaps, warranty expiration, and low complaint volume—leaving owners with unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
Failure modes owners describe
Door latch failure—passenger and driver doors
Door latches fail to close, latch, or lock; doors bounce open after closure attempts or won't stay shut. Multiple narratives reference a 2015 recall for the same defect (NHTSA 15V246), yet failures occur post-recall repair or on vehicles the system shows as unrecalled. One owner reports the replacement latch lasted only 20 months after recall work.
When: At various mileage and usage levels; post-recall failures reported within 20 months of recall repair; also occurs in freezing temperatures
Symptoms owners cite: Door won't close; Door won't latch; Door won't lock; Door bounces open after closure attempt; Door handle sits flush with body; Failure in freezing temperatures
Repairs/costs cited: $200–$652 per door at dealership; owners cite replacement latch, door handle adjustment. One owner was refunded $284 of $420 repair cost by Ford after arguing warranty limits; another paid $460 for one door while prior recall replaced all four free.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 15V246 (2015); Lincoln refused coverage on post-recall failures citing 12-month warranty expiration or insufficient complaint volume. VIN searches by dealers showed some affected vehicles not listed under recall database.
Trunk water leaks—assembly line welds
Water enters trunk due to failed factory welds at body seams, particularly between body and rear pillars. Two separate owners reported this issue; dealers initially misdiagnosed as trunk lid gasket failure. ASE-certified mechanic confirmed weld failure in one case.
When: At 87,000 miles noted in one complaint; timing otherwise not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaking into trunk; Mold and mildew growth inside trunk; Failed welds visible between body and rear pillars
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid for trunk lid and gaskets replacement without solving issue; ASE mechanic then identified actual cause as factory welds. Dealer estimated repair costs not provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Lincoln refused coverage citing insufficient complaints and vehicle out of warranty.
Hood rust and paint failure
Hood surface shows rust and paint chipping on the edge near the grille on a vehicle less than 10 years old and never exposed to salt spray or harsh road conditions.
When: Under 10 years from model year 2013
Symptoms owners cite: Rust forming on hood; Paint chipping at hood edge near grille
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
On my way to work on 10/03/2017 @ around 7am in rush hour traffic my left passenger front door swung up. I had to swerve out of traffic to miss from hitting a vehicle next to mine. I was able to safely arrive at a rite aid parking lot. I have researched and found that my model car was under a recall for faulty door latch. My car was taken to my local Ford dealership where they are stating it…
Door latch broke it is under recall with some 2013 lincolns not all it was in our driveway
Had body trouble with your 2013 Lincoln MKZ?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2013 Lincoln MKZ?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 71,889 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Lincoln/MKZ.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.