What 54 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Lincoln Mkz Hev

I brought my 2016 MKZ in for a Safety Recall on front brake hoses. I was told that the lug nuts were swollen and would have to be replaced and would cost 166.27. Had to do it to have the brake hoses replaced. They were replaced with the same type of aluminum lug nuts. This defective type lug nut has been a problem for over 10 years yet nothing has been done to change it. Luckily I didn’t have a flat tire I couldn’t have changed.

NHTSA ODI 11567022

When I was at the dealership today, I was informed the lug nuts on my car have swollen and that if they are not replaced I probably will not be able to change a spare tire alongside the road if needed. I was informed that there is a manufacturing defect that Ford is aware of, but has not recalled yet.

NHTSA ODI 11471197

THE 2016 MKZ HYBRID DOES NOT COME WITH A SPARE TIRE. THIS WAS NOT TOLD TO ME WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. THE ABSENCE OF A SPARE TIRE PUTS ONE IN DANGER. THIS SHOULD BE WELL DOCUMENTED AT TIME OF PURCHASE. THEY PROVIDE A SPRAY CAN OF JUNK THAT IS USELESS UNLESS YOU HAVE A PIN IN YOUR TIRE. ANY DAMAGE TO THE TIRE AND YOU ARE STRANDED UNTIL YOU CAN GET TO A TIRE OUTLET THAT HAS THE TIRE YOU NEED. IT IS A DISGRACE THAT ON A LUXURY VEHICLE THIS ABSENCE PUTS YOU AT RISK. CAN YOU IMAGINE BEING STRANDED ON OPEN HIGHWAY AT 2 IN THE MORNING. IF TRIPLE AAA COMES YOU NEED TO BE PUT ON A FLATBED BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE A TIRE TO CHANGE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS MATTER THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY LINCOLN MOTOR COMPANY.

NHTSA ODI 11093240

AT 10,740 MILES, WE REPLACED TWO TIRES ALREADY DUE TO BULGES IN THE TIRE SIDEWALL. LINCOLN IS NOT ADDRESSING THIS SERIOUS DEFECT OF LOW TIRE PRESSURE AND AIR LEAKS IN THE TIRES. THIS IS AN ELEVATED SAFETY RISK AS VEHICLE BECOMES UNSTABLE AND HARD TO CONTROL AT LOW AIR PRESSURE. A NEW CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM, BUT SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WERE NOTED ONLINE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS SAFETY HAZARD AS MICHELIN SAYS IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM AND LINCOLN BLAMES THE CUSTOMER HITTING POTHOLES WHICH WE DON'T EVEN RECALL HAPPENING. A VIDEO ONLINE ILLUSTRATES HOW TIRE SIDEWALL BULGES CAN OCCUR EASILY WITH UNDER INFLATED TIRES IF THE CAR RUNS OVER A CURB OR HITS A POTHOLE. WE ARE SENIOR CITIZENS, 72 AND 67, AND DRIVE CAREFULLY, TYPICALLY BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT. WE HAVE NEVER HAD THIS EXPERIENCE WITH ANY CARS DURING OUR LIFETIME. PLEASE PERFORM AN INVESTIGATION TO HALT THIS SERIOUS DEFECT THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE. LIVES ARE IN DANGER DUE TO DIFFICULTY IN CONTROL AND AN UNSTABLE VEHICLE WITH UNDER INFLATED TIRES. A BLOWOUT COULD BE FATAL.

NHTSA ODI 11019460