So I bought this car in February of last year. Since I've had it june I had to do a head gasket. Another time the high speed fuel pump had bolt come loose and oil went everywhere causing a fire. Had transmission intercooler line do the same thing. Additional fire. And just recently I problem that was supposedly fixed already wasn't and flywheel broke leaving me stranding in a parking lot for…
2017 Lincoln MKZ engine problems
severe 57 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
57
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 57 engine complaints filed for the 2017 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
Of the 9 model years of Lincoln MKZ we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 57.
Engine accounts for 46% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 5 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Do not buy a 2017 Lincoln MKZ with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine unless you can verify the long block was already replaced under warranty or TSB work. The water jacket design flaw causing coolant to seep into cylinders is documented in multiple Ford TSBs but is not subject to a full recall; engine replacement ($6,500–$15,000 out of pocket) is the only fix, and most owners fall outside warranty when symptoms appear.
The 2017 Lincoln MKZ 2.0L EcoBoost engine has a documented coolant intrusion defect that repeatedly shows up across these complaints. Owners report low coolant levels without warning lights, white exhaust smoke on cold startup, rough idle and misfire—usually in cylinder 2 or 3—and check engine codes like P0300, P0301-P0304, P0302, P0303, P0316, and P0217. Coolant seeps into the cylinders because of a design flaw in the water jacket and cylinder head where slotted coolant passages exist between cylinders; Ford has issued multiple TSBs (22-2229, 22-2133, 19-2243, 19-2172, 19-2346) confirming the problem. Once coolant reaches the cylinders, it dilutes engine oil, causes loss of compression, and can trigger complete engine failure. Some owners report the issue appearing as early as 32,000 miles; others at 50,000 to 85,000 miles. Most repairs occur outside the powertrain warranty window (typically 6 years or 100,000 miles). Owners cite Ford replacement-engine costs between $6,550 and $15,000. One owner reports a torque converter weld failure (recall 17V-427/18V-390) also causing engine damage. A separate oil-pan leak affecting these engines requires new pans, valve covers, and gaskets—a roughly four-times-normal repair cost. Ford and Lincoln have refused most warranty claims for out-of-warranty vehicles despite acknowledging the defect in TSBs, arguing VINs don't match bulletin parameters or warranty has expired.
Failure modes owners describe
Coolant intrusion into cylinders
Water jacket design flaw allows coolant to seep into engine cylinders, diluting oil and destroying compression. Occurs due to slotted coolant passages between cylinders leaking coolant into cylinder 2, 3, or 4 depending on the engine. Eventually forces complete engine replacement.
When: Typically 32,000 to 85,000 miles, with symptoms often appearing 2,700 miles past powertrain warranty expiration (e.g., 72,737 miles on 75,437-mile warranty)
Symptoms owners cite: Low coolant level in reservoir with no external leaks; White or blue exhaust smoke, especially on cold startup; Rough idle and misfire, particularly cylinder 2 or 3; Check engine light (may come on intermittently or stay constant); Loss of cabin heat due to coolant depletion; Engine overheating warning; Loss of power or hesitation during acceleration; Steering wheel jerking or vibration; Abnormal antifreeze odor from exhaust
Codes mentioned: P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0316, P0217, P1285, P1299
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine long block replacement required; owner costs reported as $6,550–$15,000 plus parts and labor. Some owners report partial head gasket repairs failing within weeks, requiring full engine replacement regardless. One owner replaced engine themselves for $2,618.67 parts cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford/Lincoln issued TSB 22-2229, 22-2133, 19-2243, 19-2172, 19-2346 acknowledging the defect. Recommended remedy is long block replacement. Refused warranty coverage on most out-of-warranty vehicles. One owner (complaint #6) cited recall 17V-427/18V-390 (torque converter weld defect) but dealership denied coverage. No full recall issued for coolant intrusion despite class-action lawsuits mentioned by owners.
Oil pan leak with multiple component replacements
Oil seeps from redesigned oil pan area, requiring replacement of oil pan, valve covers, and gaskets. Ford designed new parts to remedy the issue but does not replace them on warranty-expired vehicles.
When: Discovered during routine maintenance or state inspection; unknown onset mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Oil spot on garage floor (fist-sized reported); Oil smell after short drives
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost approximately 4 times a normal oil pan gasket replacement. Owner reported it was a known issue since 2015 but received no recall or proactive replacement program.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Lincoln designed new oil pan, valve covers, and gaskets to fix the leak but does not replace them at no cost on out-of-warranty vehicles. No recall issued.
Repeated coil pack and spark plug failures
Coil packs and spark plugs fail repeatedly, often multiple times within months. Some cases are secondary to coolant intrusion damaging plugs; others appear to be independent electrical issues.
When: Variable; one owner replaced coils/plugs 4 times in 6–8 months; another had plugs seize at cylinder head
Symptoms owners cite: Misfire code (P0302, P0303 most common); Check engine light (intermittent or constant); Rough running, especially at idle; Failed or corroded spark plugs; Seized spark plugs (difficult to remove without risk of breakage)
Codes mentioned: P0302, P0303
Repairs/costs cited: Initial replacement of coils and plugs ($100–$300 estimated) often fails to resolve the issue if coolant intrusion is the root cause. Multiple repeat failures reported before underlying coolant leak identified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No mention of TSB or recall for coil/plug failures specifically. Dealers initially misdiagnose as coil/plug issue and do not investigate coolant intrusion until engine has deteriorated.
Engine overheating and power loss
Coolant loss (due to intrusion) and overheating cause sudden loss of power while driving, sometimes on highways at highway speeds. Creates serious safety risk.
When: Variable; one owner at 78,000 miles; another at undisclosed mileage on highway at 65+ mph
Symptoms owners cite: Temperature gauge rising to hot (H); Loss of power upon acceleration or during highway driving; Engine stalling while moving; Check engine light illuminated; White smoke from exhaust
Codes mentioned: P0302, P0303
Repairs/costs cited: Underlying cause is coolant intrusion; full engine replacement required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford referenced TSB 19-2243 for one case involving 3.0L engine (different displacement but same issue family). No recall issued for power-loss safety events.
Transmission cooler line rupture
Transmission cooler line ruptures, spilling transmission fluid and rendering vehicle immobile with no warning. Unrelated to coolant intrusion but reported in one complaint.
When: Occurred while driving on highway in commuter traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission stops working while driving; Vehicle bucking then stopping; Large amount of transmission fluid on ground; No warning lamps or messages before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Lincoln dealer replaced transmission cooler line tube assembly and all cooler lines; total cost $1,029.72.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No TSB or recall referenced; repaired as customer expense outside warranty.
Carbon buildup and cracked spark plugs
Heavy carbon buildup in valves and a cracked spark plug in cylinder 1 cause power loss during hard acceleration.
When: At undisclosed mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Significant power loss when accelerating hard at 65+ mph; Vehicle 'limps' until turned off and restarted; Check engine light (referenced but not explicitly stated for this complaint)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner did not report repair completion or cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented.
Oil consumption and rough idle
Engine consumes oil abnormally, associated with rough idle, misfire, and white or blue exhaust smoke. Referenced in TSB 19-2243 for 3.0L engines; may also affect 2.0L.
When: Vehicles built between 1-Apr-2016 and 1-Jan-2017
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle; Misfire; White or blue exhaust smoke; High oil consumption
Codes mentioned: P0524, P06DD
Repairs/costs cited: TSB 19-2243 recommends new cylinder head; one owner paid $3,126.58 for cylinder head and parts/labor.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 19-2243 issued but limited warranty coverage; only applies to vehicles within certain warranty periods and mileage bands.
Synthesized from 57 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ The contact stated while driving 35MPH, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that coolant was in the number two cylinder and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 19-2172 (Coolant In Cylinders, White Exhaust…
Head gasket failure. coolant leak into engine block. Replaced engine at a cost of $3900
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak and engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was…
Coolant leaked into cylinders causing my engine to regularly overheat, forcing me to replace the engine at about 78,000 miles. Although I didn't realize it at the time, the first indication of a problem was at 72,737 miles (just 2,737 miles out of warranty), which is when I had the first overheating incident. According to my research, Ford has known about this problem for many years, and it…
Coil head caked in oil causing misfire due to valve guideseals in left side cylinder head leaking see attached documentation
Total engine failure due to coolant leaking into it. 2023 investigation on this same situation, whats the outcome
I haven’t had any issues but there are many online that have had to have the engine replaced and charged out of their pocket for the defect the manufacturer KNOWS is their own fault and refuses to do a recall on
Had engine trouble with your 2017 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 engine problem on the 2017 Lincoln MKZ?
It's a meaningful issue. 57 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 50,000 and 107,500 miles, with the median around 77,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 107,500. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2017/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.