Some 2013-2020 Fusion, MKZ and 2013-2018 C-Max vehicles equipped with an HF35 transmission may exhibit a thumping/rubbing or grinding noise coming from the transmission. The noise may be present in all gear ranges including neutral when the vehicle is moving but will not be present when the vehicle is stationary or in park.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Lincoln MKZ powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Lincoln MKZ have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 30,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 MKZ | 4 |
| 2010 MKZ | 4 |
| 2011 MKZ | 3 |
| 2013 MKZ (this page) | 12 |
| 2014 MKZ | 9 |
| 2015 MKZ | 3 |
| 2017 MKZ | 20 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 12 powertrain complaints filed for the 2013 Lincoln MKZ, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 10 model years of Lincoln MKZ in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 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 powertrain 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.
Some 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2020 Fusion/MKZ, 2020-2022 Escape, 2021-2022 Corsair, 2022 Maverick vehicles equipped with HF35/HF45 hybrid transmissions can now be disassembled to repair and clean any contamination that may have been the result of a differential or transfer shaft bearing failure and the transmission can be overhauled/rebuilt. Service tools and service parts are now available. Refer to the Workshop Manual, Section 307-01.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2016 Fusion/MKZ/C-MAX vehicles equipped with an HF35 transmission and built on or before 15-Aug-2015 may exhibit a thumping/rubbing or grinding noise coming from the transmission. The noise may be present in all gear ranges including neutral when the vehicle is moving but will not be present when the vehicle is stationary or in park. This may be due to the differential side bearings and/or the transfer shaft and housing. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to install either a transfer shaft kit or a remanufactured transmission assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2016 Fusion, MKZ and C-MAX vehicles equipped with an HF35 transmission and built on or before 15-Aug-2015 may exhibit a thumping/rubbing or grinding noise coming from the transmission. The noise may be present in all gear ranges including neutral when the vehicle is moving but will not be present when the vehicle is stationary or in park. This may be due to the differential side bearings and/or the transfer shaft and housing. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to install either a transfer shaft kit or a remanufactured transmission assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2015 Fusion/MKZ/Escape/MKC with a 1.6L GTDI, 1.5L GTDI, or 2.0L GTDI may exhibit a lack of power, loss of power, or stall when placed in gear with DTCs P00C6, P0087, P008A, P008B, P018C, or P018D. If normal diagnosis leads to a biased or failed Fuel Low Pressure (FLP) sensor, the sensor is available without the need to order the entire fuel line assembly. The FLP sensor, located on the fuel supply line to the high pressure pump, provides the low side fuel pressure input to the PCM so the Fuel Driver Module can be controlled accordingly. The FLP PID can be viewed in the Datalogger and then compared to a manual pressure gauge per pinpoint test HC in the PCED to validate the sensor is
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 MKZ powertrain complaints center on transmission behavior and shifter function. Owners describe hard shifts from Park to Drive at startup and during acceleration at highway speeds, along with erratic downshifts and hesitation that create safety concerns—especially when the car unexpectedly shifts from Drive into Neutral, Low, or Park while in motion. Multiple owners report needing several restart or shift-lever attempts to move the vehicle out of Park.
A recurring complaint involves the pushbutton shifter failing to engage properly or the vehicle lurching forward after being placed in Park; one owner's MKZ rolled into a canal. Owners note that a transmission range sensor issue and shift modulator repair appear in past recalls for 2013 MKZ Hybrids, but dealerships have not confirmed recall applicability to standard (non-hybrid) models. Diagnostic codes include P0171 (MAF sensor), transmission-specific fault codes, transmission range sensor faults, and powertrain/AWD warnings signaled by dashboard wrench icons.
Dealership repairs have been inconsistent: one shop added transmission fluid and cleared codes, only for the failure to recur. Another dealership could not reproduce the issue during a test drive and did not diagnose it. One owner reports a shift modulator repair was attempted but failed because of additional undiagnosed computer issues. One severe case involved complete engine stall and inability to restart for over a minute.
Failure modes owners describe
Hard shifts and rough transmission behavior
Transmission exhibits hard or abrupt shifts between gears, especially from Park to Drive when stationary or during acceleration at highway speeds (35–55 mph). Owners report hesitation, slowing, and erratic shifting between Drive and lower gears (S1, S2, S3, S4).
When: At startup (Park to Drive) and during city and highway driving; one owner reported issues around 103,270 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hard shift from Park to Drive while stationary; Hard shift around 35–55 mph during acceleration; Hesitation and slowing when vehicle shifts from Drive to lower gears; Vehicle sputtering and not shifting properly after 5 miles of driving
Codes mentioned: P0171 (MAF sensor), Transmission codes for 5th and 4th gear ratio, Shifter system failure warning
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had transmission fluid added; transmission was cleared but failure recurred. Dealership could not reproduce or diagnose issue during test drive. One owner reports dealership mentioned 'shift modulator' repair but noted additional computer issues.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in at least one case; no recalls confirmed by dealers contacted
Unintended gear shifts during driving (Drive to Neutral, Drive to Low, Reverse to Park)
Vehicle unexpectedly shifts out of intended gear while in motion—from Drive to Neutral, Drive to Low, or Reverse to Park—without driver input. Occurs multiple times and has nearly caused accidents.
When: While driving, multiple occurrences per owner; one owner notes this is a recurring daily issue
Symptoms owners cite: Shifts from Drive to Neutral while driving; Shifts from Drive to Low while driving; Shifts from Reverse to Park while driving; Near-accident situations due to sudden unintended shifts
Codes mentioned: Transmission range sensor issue (mentioned by owners referencing past recalls)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership took vehicle for repairs; owner notes dealership did not seem surprised. One owner mentions shift modulator repair attempted but vehicle did not accept repair due to additional computer issues.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners reference a recall related to shift modulator; one owner states the car 'did not accept the repair' despite the fix. No official notification mentioned.
Failure to shift or inability to shift from Park
Vehicle refuses to shift into Drive or Reverse, or gear indicator does not display Park position correctly even after the vehicle is shut off. Requires multiple restart attempts or reshift to correct display.
When: At startup/shutdown and after shifting into Park; one instance at 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to shift into Drive after turning on; Gear indicator does not display Park position on shutdown; Locked out of ability to shift from Park to Reverse; Requires multiple restart or reshift attempts over 20 minutes to achieve proper shift; Cannot shift from Park without pressing brake pedal (related to pushbutton shifter design)
Codes mentioned: Transmission range sensor fault, Powertrain fault warning, AWD fault warning
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported that transmission fluid was added and transmission was cleared, but failure recurred. Vehicles were not diagnosed or repaired at dealerships.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships informed owners no recall applies. Manufacturer aware of at least one failure. Owners reference transmission range sensor as issue in past recalls.
Unintended forward lurching from Park
Vehicle lurches forward unexpectedly when placed in Park using the pushbutton shifter, resulting in property damage. Owner notes a recall exists for the same problem on 2013 MKZ Hybrids but states their non-hybrid model was not covered.
When: Immediately upon shifting to Park via pushbutton
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lurches forward after being placed in Park; Complete forward motion into obstacle (canal) despite being in Park
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 18S20 exists for 2013 MKZ Hybrids with similar symptoms. Owner reports non-hybrid model not included in recall; another owner suggests 2013 MKZ should be included in recall 18S20.
Complete stalling and loss of power
Engine stalls completely while driving and display shows 'RUN POWER ACTIVE' message. Vehicle becomes immobile and cannot be restarted for extended period.
When: While driving
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine stall; Vehicle immobile; Failure to restart for over one minute; 'RUN POWER ACTIVE' warning message
Wrench warning light and powertrain/AWD fault alerts
Wrench icon appears on steering wheel dashboard with powertrain or AWD fault warnings. Owners correlate this warning to transmission range sensor issues from past recalls and unintended gear shifts.
When: Intermittent during operation
Symptoms owners cite: Wrench icon on dashboard; Powertrain fault warning; AWD fault warning; Message to contact dealership
Codes mentioned: Powertrain fault code, AWD fault code, Transmission range sensor fault (referenced in narrative)
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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 contact called napleton's river oaks Lincoln, llc (1777 river oaks dr, calumet city, il 60409, (708) 891-5400) and was…
The car was pulled into a parking space (space in front of a canal) and pushed buttoned into park and the car then lurched forward, going into the canal (front half only, the back half was stopped by the sea wall). We see there was a recall for the same problem for 2013 Lincoln mkz hybrids (ours is not a hybrid). *tr
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2013 Lincoln MKZ?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 5,550 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 30,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,550; a quarter make it past 100,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.