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Lincoln Car Guide: Common Problems, Maintenance & Best Used Models

What Lincoln owners report most, model by model, drawn from 4,515 complaints filed with the U.S. safety regulator. Plus recalls, a service schedule and the model years to check carefully.

Data as of 2010 to 2026 model years

Quick facts

Lincoln

Origin
American
Status
Sold new in the U.S.
Most complaints
MKZ (1,011)
Most-reported area
Engine
Busiest model year
2017 (510 complaints)
owner complaints on file with NHTSA
4,515
models with at least one complaint
16
of complaints mention engine
20%
recall campaigns covering the MKZ
35

01Common problems by model

Lincoln Common Problems by Model

The 8 Lincoln models with the most owner complaints, and the part of the car each complaint was about.

Lincoln models with the most NHTSA complaints, 2010 to 2026 model years
ModelComplaintsMost-reported areasModel year with the mostRecalls
MKZ1,011Airbags and engine2010 (169)35
MKX800Brakes and electrical system2013 (163)20
MKC600Engine and electrical system2017 (191)14
Navigator403Powertrain and electrical system2019 (83)49
MKS317Steering and electrical system2013 (141)11
MKT295Steering and body structure2013 (70)14
Aviator245Electrical system and powertrain2020 (109)50
Nautilus233Powertrain and electrical system2019 (102)23
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases, read on October 12, 2026. Complaints are reports filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each model were sold, so best-selling models appear higher.

The MKZ leads with 1,011 complaints, most of them about airbags and engine. That does not make it the worst Lincoln. A model that sells in large numbers collects more reports, and these counts are not adjusted for sales.

Use the table to know where to look. If you own or are buying one of these models, ask about the area in the third column first, and price the repair with the repair cost estimator.

02Problem areas

Where Lincoln Problems Concentrate

Every Lincoln complaint names the part of the vehicle involved. These are the areas named most often across all 16 models.

By part of the vehicle

  1. Engine884 · 20%
  2. Electrical system726 · 16%
  3. Brakes543 · 12%
  4. Powertrain479 · 11%
  5. Steering460 · 10%
  6. Airbags417 · 9%

One complaint can name more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

By model year

  1. 2010425
  2. 2011412
  3. 2012345
  4. 2013509
  5. 2014275
  6. 2015308
  7. 2016343
  8. 2017510
  9. 2018224
  10. 2019378
  11. 2020256
  12. 2021145
  13. 2022153
  14. 202367
  15. 202482
  16. 202567
  17. 202616

Recent model years have had less time to gather complaints, so a short bar at the bottom is not yet good news.

03Best and worst used models

Lincoln Model Years to Check Carefully

The model years of each popular model that drew the most complaints. Start your questions there when you shop used.

How to choose a used car

  • 1,011 complaints

    Lincoln MKZ

    1. 2010169 complaints
      9 recalls
    2. 2012146 complaints
      6 recalls
    3. 2011145 complaints
      7 recalls

    Mostly about airbags and engine.

  • 800 complaints

    Lincoln MKX

    1. 2013163 complaints
      1 recall
    2. 2016156 complaints
      7 recalls
    3. 2011149 complaints
      3 recalls

    Mostly about brakes and electrical system.

  • 600 complaints

    Lincoln MKC

    1. 2017191 complaints
      3 recalls
    2. 2015131 complaints
      12 recalls
    3. 2019122 complaints
      3 recalls

    Mostly about engine and electrical system.

  • 403 complaints

    Lincoln Navigator

    1. 201983 complaints
      10 recalls
    2. 201852 complaints
      12 recalls
    3. 202133 complaints
      12 recalls

    Mostly about powertrain and electrical system.

A year with many complaints is one to inspect closely, not one to rule out. The fault may have been fixed under recall, and a well-maintained car from a busy year can be a better buy than a neglected one from a quiet year.

Before you buy any used Lincoln, decode the VIN, check it for open recalls and follow the inspection checklist. A complaint count cannot tell you about the one car in front of you.

04Recalls

Lincoln Recalls by Model

The number of safety recall campaigns that cover each model, with the most recent ones listed.

  • Lincoln MKZ recalls

    35

    recall campaigns, 2010 to 2020 model years

    1. Oct 13, 2025Backup camera system: sensing system25V695000
    2. Jun 27, 2025Backup camera system: software25V442000
    3. Nov 17, 2023Latches or locks: doors23V775000
    4. Mar 10, 2023Hydraulic brakes: foundation components23V162000
    5. Jan 13, 2022Hydraulic brakes: pedals and linkages22V011000

  • Lincoln MKX recalls

    20

    recall campaigns, 2010 to 2018 model years

    1. Aug 22, 2025Hydraulic brakes: foundation components25V544000
    2. Mar 10, 2021Airbags: frontal21V158000
    3. Feb 16, 2021Airbags: frontal21E013000
    4. Feb 16, 2021Airbags: frontal21V081000
    5. Aug 10, 2020Brakes20V469000

  • Lincoln MKC recalls

    14

    recall campaigns, 2015 to 2019 model years

    1. Jan 15, 2026Equipment: electrical26V011000
    2. Oct 10, 2025Equipment: electrical25V685000
    3. Sep 4, 2025Backup camera system: sensing system25V572000
    4. Apr 23, 2025Backup camera system: sensing system25V270000
    5. May 26, 2023Engine23V378000

  • Lincoln Navigator recalls

    49

    recall campaigns, 2010 to 2025 model years

    1. Jun 24, 2026Powertrain: automatic transmission26V402000
    2. Jun 9, 2026Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel26V372000
    3. May 27, 2026Seat belts: pretensioner26V344000
    4. Mar 31, 2026Visibility: windshield wiper/washer26V204000
    5. Mar 19, 2026Backup camera system: software26V165000
Check your VIN at NHTSA

A recall is free to have repaired at a Lincoln dealer. The lookup shows only the recalls still open on your vehicle.

05Maintenance schedule

Lincoln Maintenance Schedule

Typical service intervals for a gasoline Lincoln. Your owner’s manual has the exact figures for your engine.

Build a schedule for your mileage
Typical maintenance intervals for a Lincoln
ServiceTypical intervalGood to know
Engine oil and filter5,000 to 10,000 milesFull synthetic sits at the long end. Short trips and towing shorten it.
Tire rotation5,000 to 8,000 milesEasiest to do at every oil change.
Cabin air filter15,000 to 30,000 milesSooner in dusty or high-pollen areas.
Engine air filter15,000 to 30,000 milesInspect at every oil change and replace when dirty.
Brake fluidEvery 2 years or 30,000 milesIt absorbs moisture with age, whatever the mileage.
Transmission fluid30,000 to 60,000 milesVaries widely, and some manuals allow longer. Use only the specified fluid.
Engine coolant30,000 to 60,000 milesLong-life coolants can go further. Never mix types.
Drive belt inspection60,000 to 100,000 milesReplace at the first cracks, fraying or squeal.
Timing belt, if fitted60,000 to 100,000 milesEngines with a timing chain do not have this service.
Spark plugs30,000 to 100,000 milesCopper plugs wear fastest. Iridium and platinum last longest.
Typical intervals drawn from AAA's maintenance guidance, not Lincoln's own schedule. Follow the schedule in your owner's manual, and use its severe-service intervals if you tow, make short trips or drive in extreme heat or cold.
Maintenance by mileageOil change calculatorWhat each service costs

06Manufacturer OBD2 codes

Lincoln OBD2 Codes

How to read the codes a Lincoln stores, and why some of them mean something different on another make.

A Lincoln stores two kinds of trouble code. Generic codes, which have 0 as their second character, mean the same thing on every make: P0420 is a catalyst efficiency fault on a Lincoln exactly as it is on any other car. Manufacturer-specific codes, which have 1 as their second character, are defined by Lincoln and can mean something different elsewhere.

We do not publish a list of Lincoln’s own P1 codes, because we could not verify one against Lincoln’s service information. For a P1 code, use a scanner that reads Lincoln codes, or ask a Lincoln dealer to look it up.

Free toolLook up a generic codeMeaning, common causes and whether it is safe to keep driving.
How OBD2 code types work

07Related guides and tools

Next steps for Lincoln owners and buyers.

Guides

Free tools

All car brandsUsed car buying guide

08Questions

Lincoln: common questions.

What are the most common Lincoln problems?

Among 2010 to 2026 model-year Lincoln vehicles, the areas owners report most often to NHTSA are engine (20% of complaints), electrical system (16% of complaints) and brakes (12% of complaints). A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect.

Which Lincoln model has the most complaints?

The MKZ, with 1,011 complaints on file for 2010 to 2026 model years. Its 2010 model year has the most, at 169. Popular models attract more complaints simply because more of them are on the road.

How do I check a Lincoln for recalls?

Enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows safety recalls that have not been repaired on that exact vehicle, and recall repairs are carried out by the manufacturer's dealers at no charge.

How often does a Lincoln need servicing?

Most gasoline cars need an oil change and tire rotation every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, filters every 15,000 to 30,000 miles and brake fluid every two years. Your Lincoln owner's manual gives the exact schedule for your engine.

09About this guide

Where the figures come from.

Every count on this page comes from records published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and was read on . We count the records. We do not reproduce owners’ statements, and we do not rate or rank models ourselves.

CarTipsMentor is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Lincoln. The Lincoln name and logo belong to their owner and are used only to identify the make. Full disclaimer.

Sources

  1. [1]National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Vehicle owner complaints database
  2. [2]National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Safety recalls by vehicle
  3. [3]AAA Automotive, Time-Stamped Car Maintenance Checklist

Complaint counts cover 2010 to 2026 model years. Each complaint is counted once and assigned to the model named in the complaint. Counts change as new complaints are filed.