I’ve had my car for 7 months and the power steering went out. Not able drive until repaired for $2000.
2016 Lincoln MKZ electrical problems
severe 9 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 9 electrical complaints filed for the 2016 Lincoln MKZ, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 owners are reporting 5 most recent
Heated seat module programming put out too much current and melted wiring harness under the seat. Luckily it didn't start a fire. The calibration firmware has an update to fix this problem, but I was unaware because there is no recall or service warning. If they have a fix for it, why not notify folks. The vehicle was in motion when I smelled burning. A video from the dealer can be seen here:…
The back up camera mostly is blank and doesn’t warn me of a vehicle coming from either side resulting in almost getting hit several times
Rear camera malfunction in that the image is reversed and the reference lines are missing, fertile lines also appear obstructing view
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost automotive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Prior to the failure, the vehicle had been taken to a local dealer on several occasions for a START/STOP repair, and other unknown repairs; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the same local…
Had electrical trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Lincoln MKZ?
It's a meaningful issue. 9 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 9 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 47,500 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 $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/2016/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.