Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Lincoln MKZ electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Lincoln MKZ have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 29,236 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 MKZ | 9 |
| 2012 MKZ | 7 |
| 2013 MKZ | 14 |
| 2014 MKZ | 14 |
| 2015 MKZ (this page) | 13 |
| 2016 MKZ | 9 |
| 2017 MKZ | 10 |
| 2019 MKZ | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 13 electrical complaints filed for the 2015 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 12 model years of Lincoln MKZ in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA electrical 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 electrical 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.
Certain 2014-2020 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines 3G Telematics Control Unit to 4G Upgrade Kit REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT Program Terms & Urgency / Expiration Date: Program extension until July 31, 2023. Service Action: o IDS level 128 or higher is now required to address various programming issues encountered. o C-MAX Energi vehicles are now serviceable with new software and hardware. Labor Allowances: C-MAX labor has been updated. Parts Requirements / Ordering Information: o The C-MAX 4G Upgrade Kit is now orderable at this time with a new part number. o MKX Rear seat backrest nut claim quantity updated. Technical Information updates: o Ensure IDS level 128 or higher is used. o Toggling
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2014 - 2015 Model Year, Fusion and MKZ and 2015 Model Year Mustang Vehicles Brake Stop Lamps Remain On REF: Safety Recall 22S02 Certain 2014 - 2015 Model Year, Fusion and MKZ and 2015 Model Year Mustang Vehicles Brake Stop Lamps Remain On Submitting Owner Letters and Tech Bulletin
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2017 C-MAX Energi, 2013-2018 Focus battery electric vehicle (BEV), 2013-2020 Fusion plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), 2015-2017 MKZ/MKZ Hybrid/MKC, 2016-2017 MKX and 2017 Continental vehicles equipped with SYNC screens 8 inch or larger may be unable to complete modem authorization after 3G to 4G modem upgrade was performed. No Authorization Popup will be displayed on SYNC infotainment screen during the Authorization process. The vehicle may also not have proper functionality of remote app features such as remote start, and return odometer and fuel information to the app. This may be due to the SYNC software. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to toggle Val
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2023 Ford or Lincoln vehicles with modems activated through FordPass or LincolnWay may experience 12 volt battery drain symptoms when the customer uses non-Ford/Lincoln phone applications as an alternate channel to access vehicle commands such as door lock/unlock, remote start, vehicle location, etc. The battery drain may be caused by excessive calls for data through the vehicle network keeping it in an activated state. Recommend that the customer uninstall the app to ensure this is not contributing to battery symptoms experienced. Advise the customer that unaffiliated third-party app developers do not work directly with Ford to adhere to security, vehicle communication, and privac
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a constellation of intermittent electrical failures in the 2015 Lincoln MKZ. The most serious involve sudden power loss while driving—one owner lost all power at 30 mph while entering a freeway with a "Power Accessory" warning light; another experienced complete shutdown at low speed after months of strange humming near the fuel tank. Multiple owners describe simultaneous failures of the airbag warning light illuminating, AC shutting off, power windows and seats freezing or moving on their own, and radio cutting out—some report this occurring eight times or more. Seat memory functions have failed to engage properly, leaving seats reclined and steering wheels raised, impairing pedal and steering access. Battery problems span repeated failures within short ownership windows: one owner replaced the battery three times; another four times in under 50k miles, though dealers attributed each to bad batteries rather than parasitic drain. Horn failures are intermittent, working inconsistently; seatbelt warning sensors fail to trigger when occupied or unbelted. One owner's brake pedal went to the floor coinciding with dashboard lights flashing and clicking noises. A faulty electrical harness was diagnosed in one case. Repair attempts have been ineffective or inconclusive, with dealers unable to identify root causes despite multiple service visits and warranty coverage still active.
Same Lincoln MKZ electrical reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Complete power loss while driving
Vehicle loses all electrical power and stalls while in motion, creating immediate safety hazard on roadways.
When: 30 mph entering freeway; low speed after humming noise; during normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off completely while driving; Power Accessory warning light illuminates; Loss of steering assist and braking assist; Vehicle requires towing to dealer
Repairs/costs cited: No resolution documented; fuel pump replaced ($700) in one case but issue recurred; vehicle towed for service
Simultaneous multi-system electrical failures
Airbag light, AC, power windows, radio, power seats, and power mirrors fail at the same time, often while driving.
When: Since July 2015; occurred approximately 8 times in one vehicle; October 2020
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates; AC stops working and will not restart; Power windows inoperable (passenger side noted); Radio stops working; Power driver seat moves back and forth on its own while driving; Power mirrors inoperable
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer and corporate unable to fix despite multiple service visits; warranty coverage active
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer referred customer to NHTSA Hotline for assistance; manufacturer unable to guarantee repair
Seat and steering wheel memory malfunction
Driver seat and steering wheel position memory fails to engage after ignition on, leaving seat reclined and steering wheel raised, obstructing pedal and steering wheel access.
When: Twice within first 16 months; at low mileage (14k miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Seat remains reclined after ignition on; Steering wheel remains raised after ignition on; Manual adjustment controls also non-responsive; Impaired ability to reach pedals and see over steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle driven manually to dealer with reduced pedal access and impaired vision
Repeated battery failure
Battery fails or discharges completely multiple times over short ownership periods despite being replaced; underlying electrical drain unconfirmed.
When: Within first 2 years; 3 replacements in 16 months; 4 replacements in under 50k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to start after sitting idle; Requires jumpstart to start; Frequent battery replacement needed; Complete power loss after weekend garage storage; Dealer reports common problem
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced multiple times; SSM rear gate trunk module identified as causing intermittent parasitic drain in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnosed SSM rear gate trunk module malfunction causing battery drain but could not guarantee repair would resolve issue
Horn intermittent failure
Horn stops working intermittently, particularly when urgently needed; works inconsistently or requires excessive pressure on steering wheel activator.
When: During emergency and non-emergency situations; recurring issue
Symptoms owners cite: Horn does not sound during sudden emergency situations; Horn functions inconsistently when tested later; Horn button requires excessive pressure to activate; Side horn activator not sensitive enough
Seatbelt warning sensor failure
Seatbelt warning indicator and chime fail to activate when seats are occupied or when seatbelts are unbuckled.
When: Concurrent with horn failures; observed repeatedly by owners
Symptoms owners cite: Seatbelt indicator does not illuminate when seat occupied; Seatbelt chime does not sound; Indicator does not activate when seatbelt unbuckled; Occurs intermittently or consistently
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to identify root cause (module or seat sensor suspected)
Faulty electrical harness
Defective electrical harness causes starting and drivability issues requiring replacement.
When: At 62,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; Rough driving after battery charge; Improper acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Electrical harness replacement recommended; repair not yet completed at time of report
Brake pedal and dashboard electrical anomaly
Brake pedal goes to floor coinciding with dashboard warning lights flashing and clicking noises; lights and radio still functional.
When: 2 days after fuel pump replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal sinks to floor; Dashboard lights flash erratically; Clicking noises from dashboard; Lights and radio still work
Repairs/costs cited: Owner planned battery replacement and dealer visit; followed fuel pump replacement service
Dim rear backup light
Backup light is too dim at night to safely assess obstacles when reversing.
When: During normal operation at night
Symptoms owners cite: Backup light insufficient brightness at night; Difficulty determining if obstacles are behind vehicle
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
It started months ago with a strange humming noise coming from the back of the car on the right side ,where the gas tank is. It would come and go very couple of weeks. My mechanic checked it out and found nothing. One day, with the humming sound very loud , the car lost power while driving, almost crashed. Had it towed back to the mechanic ,who I trust and again could find nothing. I called a…
In under 4 years/50k miles battery has been changed 4 times. Every time the cause is a bad battery and not a draw. There is an underlying issue with the mkz electrical architecture. Dealer says this is a common problem.
This vehicle has been in service 14 times in 16 months for various intermittent electrical and sensor problems. It was purchased new in june 2015 and currently has 14k miles. It has several major issues but the two safety risks are: 1) the driver seat is supposed to automatically recline and the steering wheel adjusts upward to allow the driver to exit the vehicle when the ignition is turned off.…
The problem happening,and again today is that the airbag warning light goes on and the air conditioning stops working and the power windows won't open on passenger side and the radio won't go on and power drivers seat move back and forth on its own while driving!!!! Problems happen both while driving and in stationary position. This has happened oct 25. 2020. I found out ll this after starting…
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that over the past year, she had replaced the battery on three separate occasions. The contact stated that on each occurrence, the vehicle failed to start up after multiple attempts and the vehicle had to be jumpstarted. The vehicle was started and driven to the dealer for the battery to be replaced. Recently, the contact was informed that…
Had electrical trouble with your 2015 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 electrical problem on the 2015 Lincoln MKZ?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 20,978 and 48,989 miles, with the median around 29,236. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,978; a quarter make it past 48,989. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2015/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.