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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2015 Lincoln MKZ Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
5%of 84 total for the year
Median mileage
49,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2015 Lincoln MKZ, 5% of the 84 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

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

“Transmission makes unusually loud revving noise when the gas engine takes over for the electric motor. If you are on an entrance ramp to a freeway and apply 1/2 peddle or more to merge onto freeway, it has a very noisy rev (trans) noise. I have been appraising cars for 25yrs in the retail auto business and I have driven other MKZ hybrids and they don't make as much noise as this car makes”

NHTSA complaint #11364514, filed 2020-10, 49,000 miles

“Shifting from gears 1-2 and 3-4 are hard and/or delayed. Shifting from 1-2 is so hard that you have to stiffen your neck muscles to prevent an uncomfortable head and neck movement. The only time this isn't experienced is with 80% or more throttle applied. The dealer has rebuilt the transmission, replaced solenoid assemblies, etc and the problem comes back. The dealer has looked at it one more time and says they find no issue that Lincoln's warranty parameters will allow them to fix.”

NHTSA complaint #11351135, filed 2020-08, 59,000 miles

“Transmission hard shift from 1-2 and 3-4, started experiencing problem approximately 24,000 mi have taken to dealership twice(once in feb for 4 days) and second time in mar for 7 days), first time said it was leaking fluid and replaced o ring. A couple of weeks later in march returned, was getting worse, said they rebuilt the transmission. Shifts as if someone hit me in rear when increasing speed pulling away from traffic light on a city street or merging onto highway. Now makes a whining noise when accelerating from traffic light of merging, anytime shifting gears in general.”

NHTSA complaint #10983889, filed 2017-05, 24,000 miles

“After reading about the numerous complaints about this vehicles transmission issues I have decided to come here. The PCM and TCM need to be changed in the vehicle. Causing rough shifts from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th which essentially will cause you to replace the transmission because of the damage it causes. Also constantly having drive control malfunction, check headlamp system messages popping up. There is also horrendous noise from the rear suspension any time you go over any type of anomaly in the road.”

NHTSA complaint #11654602, filed 2025-04

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 2015 Lincoln MKZ

Brakes
16 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
12 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2015 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