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 #20m01. When I became aware of the program it was too late by a couple of months, there was no prior symptoms prior to…
2013 Lincoln MKZ engine problems
severe 9 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 9 engine complaints filed for the 2013 Lincoln MKZ, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Among the 9 model years of Lincoln MKZ in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Driving time 11:00am to 11:45am, round trip 3.5 miles, side road, in motion, sunny 66. 3 times the motor dropped power, car could not move. Motor was still running, shaking and like it was not getting air. Had to stop in traffic and turn off vehicle and restart. This thing is a death trap. This is the third time I reported this problem.
On 9/28/20 traveling at 40 MPH on a 2 lane side road the motor cut out or shut down and lost all power. This is the second time. The last time was on 2/7/20. I took the car to my Ford dealer and they found nothing. I did not take it this time.
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2013 Lincoln MKZ?
It's a meaningful issue. 9 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 9 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 53,546 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.