2017 Lincoln MKZ Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2017 MKZ most often report engine trouble, especially coolant getting into the cylinders on 2.0L EcoBoost cars, which dealers typically diagnose as needing a replacement engine. Transmission and torque converter complaints (including a rattling or rumbling noise) and front brake hose failures that leak fluid and lengthen stopping distance are the next most common themes. Reports are spread from very low mileage up into six figures, and many owners say repairs came at their own expense.

1. 1
   Engine

   Coolant leaking into cylinders / engine replacement

   • 67 complaints (48%)
   • median 75,489 mi at 7.6 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $7,103 (median of 13 quotes)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe a check engine light, rough idle, misfire, white smoke or a sweet antifreeze smell from the exhaust, and coolant that keeps dropping without a visible leak. Dealers commonly diagnose coolant intrusion into a cylinder and tell owners the engine (or long block) needs replacing, with quotes in the several-thousand-dollar range. Many say the repair was not covered because the vehicle was out of warranty, and some link the symptom to a published service bulletin on 2.0L EcoBoost coolant intrusion. Reported from roughly 7,500 to 134,000 miles, with many complaints clustering between about 47,000 and 80,000 miles, often after a cold start or during normal driving.

   7 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the engine has been replaced or repaired for coolant intrusion and request service records; check the coolant reservoir level and look for white residue around the expansion tank, and watch for white smoke or a sweet smell at the cold-start exhaust.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Purchased cpo with 38k miles on it. A week after owning smoke emitted from exhaust, check engine light came on and car was rough to start, idling hard. Car melted strongly of antifreeze but no visible leaks. Lincoln did inspection and says needs a new engine due to coolant leaking into cylinders and pistons failing. Engine is on backorder for two months. This seems to be a known problem. We are extremely unhappy. Haven't even had the car two weeks before this started happening. We want out of this car!”

   NHTSA complaint #11353095, filed 2020-09, 38,500 miles

   “I am paying on a 2017 Lincoln MKZ with total engine failure due to coolant leaking into it. I am aware that NHTSA in early October 2023 there was an investigation into more than 700000 late model Ford due to catastrophic engine failure. Why was people not informed on this matter, or a recall established.”

   NHTSA complaint #11697281, filed 2025-11
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission / torque converter rattle or shudder

   • 17 complaints (12%)
   • median 115,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Complaints describe a rattling, rumbling or whining noise from the transmission or bellhousing area, sometimes along with vibration and harsh or delayed shifting. Several owners say a dealer or mechanic diagnosed a failed torque converter, flex plate or transmission fluid pump and recommended replacement; some mention a warranty extension that did not cover their vehicle. Mostly reported between about 100,000 and 127,000 miles, with a few at much lower mileage, and the noise is often noted at idle or while moving at steady speeds.

   Recall 18V390000Recall 17V4270003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for a rattle or rumble from under the car at idle and on a test drive, and ask whether the torque converter or flex plate has been replaced, plus whether the vehicle was covered by the torque converter campaigns.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a whining sound coming from under the hood. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that on the following day, the vehicle was started; however, while driving 30 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The vehicle was driven to the place of employment. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11622794, filed 2024-10, 127,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at speeds above 30 MPH, there was a rumbling sound and vibration coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who informed the contact that the transmission torque converter was inoperable and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V390000 (POWER TRAIN). …”

   NHTSA complaint #11730791, filed 2026-04, 107,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Front brake hose leak / long brake pedal

   • 7 complaints (5%)
   • median 94,000 mi at 7.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners report the brake pedal sinking toward the floor, extended stopping distance and a low brake fluid or brake warning message, sometimes with fluid visible on a wheel or on the ground. Shops and dealers have identified a split or rusted front brake hose (and in a few cases rear lines) as the source of the leak, and some complaints reference the front brake hose recall. Reported from about 47,000 up to 153,000 miles, often appearing without much warning while driving at ordinary speeds.

   Recall 23V1620003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect the flexible brake hoses at each wheel for cracking, swelling or rust, check the fluid level, and confirm with a dealer whether the front brake hose recall has already been performed on the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On Jan. 10, 2025 all the brake fluid leaked out of my MKZ. Fortunately, this occurred a few miles from my home and was able to get the car into the drive. I was first alerted of the problem by the low brake fluid message on the dash panel and virtually no braking power. On 1/13/25 I had the car towed to a local Ford Dealer and was informed that the brake lines to both rear wheels were indeed severely rusted thru and had to be replaced. (Approx. 117K mi) (The front hoses were also replaced as per a recall notice on 9/26/23.)”

   NHTSA complaint #11636641, filed 2025-01, 117,000 miles

   “While driving, my brakes failed. I was at a low rate of speed and was able to stop if pressing pedal all the way to floor. There was no warning prior to incident. When i was able to put car in park i got a brake fluid low warning. After inspection, brake line burst and brake fluid was visible on front passenger wheel and car.”

   NHTSA complaint #11510318, filed 2023-03
4. 4
   Engine

   Limp mode, loss of power and stalling

   • 10 complaints (7%)
   • median 77,500 mi at 3.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Complaints describe sudden loss of power or the car dropping into limp mode while accelerating or at highway speed, sometimes followed by a stall and a warning message on the instrument panel. Owners report that the car often restarts and drives normally afterward, which makes it hard for dealers to reproduce, and some mention valve carbon buildup or a cracked spark plug being found. Spread from about 3,000 to 102,000 miles, with several reports at low mileage during hard acceleration or in traffic.

   Recall 18V390000Recall 17V4270001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask if the car has ever stalled or gone into limp mode and whether any stored codes were diagnosed; a scan for powertrain and camshaft-related codes before purchase can show pending history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Power loss when accelerating hard on the freeway (65mph+). Power is significantly reduced, making me a hazard on the road! The vehicle continues to 'limp' until car is turned off and restarted. When I took it to the garage, the valves were found to have major carbon buildup and the #1 cylinder had a cracked spark plug.”

   NHTSA complaint #11259092, filed 2019-09, 15,000 miles

   “Vehicle stalls/loses power once fuel reaches below half tank of gas. Ford has issued TSB's on this very issue on many of their other engines, but I've been unable to find a TSB for this issue for my vehicle specifically. Here is the TSB for ford focus's with this issue: ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 ford focus vehicles with a 2.0l gdi or 2.0l gtdi engine. The canister purge valve (cpv) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system. Tsb # 18s32. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11230663, filed 2019-07, 77,500 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Overheating, low coolant and no heat

   • 23 complaints (16%)
   • median 103,000 mi at 7.6 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $8,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe the temperature gauge climbing, the cabin heater blowing cold, coolant loss with no puddle underneath, and in some cases an overheating warning leading to a dealer diagnosis of a failed engine. Several say the car was towed, and a few note a replacement engine later developed an oil leak. Reported from roughly 74,000 to 112,000 miles, typically noticed first as poor heater performance or a rising temperature gauge.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue at the reservoir and hose joints, run the heater on a cold start to confirm it warms up, and ask whether any coolant loss or overheating diagnosis has been recorded.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My engine is overheating, causing my steering wheel to jerk while on the highway. Took to dealership and they said loss of coolant and could potentially cause a fire if not treated. Looked online and saw that Ford is aware of the problem but will not correct it. The dealership is asking me to pay $8,000 to fix it for Ford initially putting in a faulty engine. I had to stop my car because smoke was coming out the tailpipe. The car isn’t safe to drive.”

   NHTSA complaint #11484039, filed 2022-09

   “I have a 2017 Lincoln MKZ with the 2.0T Ecoboost engine and have approximately 74,000 miles on the car. I have been receiving a check engine light which indicates a Missfire on Cylinder 2 when scanned. Additionally I have noticed low coolant levels in the reservoir. I have had a loss of heat in the winter which lead to the initial discovery of low coolant. No indicator light came on when the coolant was low. I replaced the spark plugs in all 4 cylinders which has not solved the issue. Additionally, I still experience coolant loss. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11522454, filed 2023-05

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the engine for coolant intrusion and on the brake hoses, and get service records showing whether engine or transmission work has been done. Confirm that open recalls have been completed and ask about any warranty coverage still in effect on the powertrain.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.