Some 2013-2020 MKZ vehicles may need the exterior rear view mirror replaced. The replacement exterior mirror will have different wiring than the originally equipped mirror. Follow the Service Procedure steps below to modify the vehicle-side wiring harness to accept the replacement mirror wiring.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Lincoln MKZ visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Lincoln MKZ have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the visibility at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 4 visibility 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 visibility 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 visibility 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 2013-2020 MKZ vehicles may need the exterior rear view mirror replaced. The replacement exterior mirror will have different wiring than the originally equipped mirror. Follow the Service Procedure steps below to modify the vehicle-side wiring harness to accept the replacement mirror wiring.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This article supersedes 17-2225 to update the vehicle model years affected and Service Procedure. Some 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2020 MKZ vehicles may exhibit unintended exterior mirror movement in wet weather conditions. This may be due to water intrusion into the exterior mirror connector. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to remove the 16 pin connector and install two weather tight 8 pin connectors.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning agent. Hydrofluoric acid can attack the glass and cause visual distortion and/or discoloration on the outer surface which cannot be removed by further cleaning. If this type of distortion is found, inspect the area of the glass that is covered by the cowl and/or molding. The portion of glass that is covered by the cowl or molding will not be affected by the acid. Hydrofluoric acid damage is not a defect in material or workmanship and is not a warrantable condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2018 MKZ vehicles may exhibit unintended exterior mirror movement in wet weather conditions due to moisture in the exterior mirror connector. 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.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Lincoln mkz. While driving at an unknown speed, the panoramic moon roof shattered with a loud noise. The contact stated that several pieces flew off the vehicle, but caused no injuries. The vehicle was taken to Lincoln of troy (1950 w maple rd, troy, mi 48084, (248) 643-6600), but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The dealer informed him that an object…
Had visibility 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 visibility problem on the 2015 Lincoln MKZ?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 40,000 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 $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.