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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2013 Lincoln MKZ Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
14%of 109 total for the year
Median mileage
30,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 Lincoln MKZ, 14% of the 109 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Noted a natural gas smell in my car only when heat on in car and not constent, just in spirts I would get a strong smell. Then last week my car started making a weird whinning noise that has gotten louder and more consistent over the past week. I noted the 2013 MKZ had recalls for issues like this before. I just purchased this car used 3 months ago.”

NHTSA complaint #11397342, filed 2021-02, 38,000 miles

“The car shifts from drive to neutral when driving. The car shifts from drive to low while driving. The car shifts from reverse to park while driving. This has happened multiple times a few time it almost resulted in a accident. I finally took it to a dealership for repairs and will wait and see if it continues to happen. This is a situation that could and will likely result in a death if this continues to happen. The dealership did not seem surprise about what was happening. There is a recall about the repair but I was never notified of the recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #10572944, filed 2014-03, 5,550 miles

“When driving the car it will shift from drive to s1, s2, s3, s4, it will decrease in speed, like a hesitation and slowing down. I am afraid if this constantly happens some one will hit me in the rear., causing a serious accident. We have taken this car in twice for repairs, still isn't fixed. First, oh its need to be put on the computer and recalibrated. Second, after test driving the dealership service department couldn't assess the cause and it didn't occur while they did a test drive. This is a serious defect and danger to me, my family and others on the highway. …”

NHTSA complaint #10614566, filed 2014-07, 30,000 miles

“The car was pulled into a parking space (space in front of a canal) and pushed buttoned into park and the car then lurched forward, going into the canal (front half only, the back half was stopped by the sea wall). We see there was a recall for the same problem for 2013 Lincoln MKZ hybrids (ours is not a hybrid).”

NHTSA complaint #10643296, filed 2014-10, 16,420 miles

“Came to a stop at stop sign. Made a left hand turn at approx. 7 MPH. While the car was moving at went from drive to neutral and then into park. This is the 3rd time it has happened. Car was taken back to dealer on 4/14 for repairs. This is also the 3rd electrical system malfunction.”

NHTSA complaint #10579667, filed 2014-04, 4,500 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2019210%
2018925%
20172417%
201612%
201545%
201499%
20131514%
201243%
201143%
201042%
200954%
200862%
200773%

Other parts of the 2013 Lincoln MKZ

Electrical system
17 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
8 complaintsWheels
7 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Lincoln MKZ

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology