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 powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Lincoln MKZ have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 MKZ | 3 |
| 2013 MKZ | 12 |
| 2014 MKZ | 9 |
| 2015 MKZ (this page) | 3 |
| 2017 MKZ | 21 |
| 2018 MKZ | 9 |
When does it fail?
Of the 3 powertrain 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
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 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.
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. Incorrect torque may allow the bolt to loosen resulting in the timing gear breaking and engine damage. Replacement of the bolt is critical to the repair and accurately following the installation procedure in the Workshop Manual (WSM) Section, 303-01 is extremely important. The bolt torque procedure can be found in the crankshaft front seal removal and installation procedure or in the engine assembly procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Some 2015-2018 Fusion/MKZ vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a rattle noise from the transmission bellhousing area. This may be more noticeable at idle. This may be due to a flexplate crack around the mounting area. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the flexplate, transmission fluid pump, and torque converter.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2016 vehicles equipped with 6F50/6F55 transmission and built on 2-Nov-2015 and through 1-Feb-2016 may exhibit no reverse, 3rd and 5th gear with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0715,P0717,P0756 and/or P2701. This may be caused by the direct clutch cylinder/tone wheel (7F283) inadvertently forcing the snap ring out of position resulting in damage to the direct clutch hub (7G384). Service part (7J250) complete rotating 3-5-R clutch module is now available. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 307-01. For claiming, use causal part 7F283 and applicable labor operations in Section 7 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) manual.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Transmission makes unusually loud revving noise when the gas engine takes over for the electric motor. If you are on an entrance ramp to a freeway and apply 1/2 peddle or more to merge onto freeway, it has a very noisy rev (trans) noise. I have been appraising cars for 25yrs in the retail auto business and I have driven other mkz hybrids and they don't make as much noise as this car makes
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2015 Lincoln MKZ?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 44,000 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 $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/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.