Home · 2017 Lincoln Mkz Hev · Complaints

What 115 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Lincoln Mkz Hev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (115)Crash / fire / injury (6)Engine (50)Brakes (17)Transmission & drivetrain (16)Engine & cooling (11)Steering (8)Electrical system (7)Wheels (6)Airbags (4)Fuel system (4)Lights (4)

17 of 115 complaints match · Brakes · clear filters

Jan 17, 2025Brakes

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 ODI 11636641

Jul 3, 2024Brakes

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11598621

Mar 12, 2024Brakes

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ODI 11576846

Aug 31, 2023Brakes

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11541872

Aug 30, 2023Brakes

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond immediately. The contact stated that the vehicle responded when the brake pedal was depressed down to the floorboard. The contact stated that as she continued driving, the message "Brake Fluid" was displayed. The contact drove to the residence, where she noticed that brake fluid was leaking onto the ground. The contact later became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and a second dealer Ford of Latham (637 Columbia St Ext, Latham, NY 12110) were contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11541617

Aug 24, 2023Brakes

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal made an abnormal squeaking sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the brakes had failed. The contact stated that the brakes had been replaced twice, including the rotors; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the independent mechanic several times for repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11540511

Jun 8, 2023Brakes

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11525959

May 17, 2023Brakes

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the brake warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle stalled and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11522495

Apr 19, 2023Brakes

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11517805

Apr 17, 2023Brakes

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to complete the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer has exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11517461

Mar 6, 2023Brakes

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 ODI 11510318

Sep 9, 2022Brakes

On Tuesday, March 1 2022, as I was attempting to stop at a stop sign, I noticed loss of pressure on the brake pedal. As I accelerated and applied my brakes again there was no pressure feedback on the brake pedal and my vehicle took a prolonged time and distance to stop. After a few minutes, a warning message appeared on the dashboard to let me know of low brake fluid. After I got the vehicle home, I noticed a lot of brake fluid in the driver's front wheel well. Upon further inspection, a rupture in the line at the metal crimping was evident. The event happened as I was coming home from ice hockey practice with my 5 yr old and 8 yr old in the vehicle. The roadway that the failure occurred at was a service road to I-35E in Farmers Branch which at that time of day has moderate traffic moving at high speed. Had the brake blown out a few minutes later, I would have been on I-35E with my children. The speed limit on that road is 70 MPH and it was the tail end of rush hour which means a mix of slow traffic and high speed traffic requiring the ability to brake at a moments notice. I still have the faulty brake line in case anyone needs it for inspection.

NHTSA ODI 11483739

Aug 11, 2022Brakes

Front left brake hose had an immediate large leak during driving causing vehicle to lose all braking during driving. There was no warning prior to this or during the failure, no lights on dashboard, brake pedal went all the way to the floor. Placed flashers on, and rolled to a stop. Vehicle needed to be towed. Vehicle is on the way (today August 11) to Apple Ford in Shakopee, MN to be fixed on August 16th.

NHTSA ODI 11478729

Mar 10, 2022Brakes

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The contact stated the braking distance was extended due to the failure. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who stated that the failure was caused by the front driver’s side brake rubber hydraulic line that needed to be replaced due to damage. The contact stated that the vehicle was currently at the dealer for the repair. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V469000 (Service Brakes, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.

NHTSA ODI 11456065

Sep 21, 2020Brakes

COLLISION MITIGATING BRAKING DOES NOT ENGAGE THE BRAKES. WHEN A TRUCK SUDDENLY CUT ME OFF, THE AUDIBLE AND VISUAL WARNING INDICATE OBJECT IN THE WAT BUT NO BRAKING OCCURS. BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT PUMP UP (AS IT DOES WHEN THE RADAR CRUISE CONTROL SLOWS THE CAR). CAN REPRODUCE BY FOLLOWING TURNING VEHICLE TOO CLOSELY.

NHTSA ODI 11360197

Jan 9, 2018BrakesFuel system

1-CAR STALLED AND DIED TURNING FROM PARKING LOT ONTO STREET. BARELY AVOIDING COLLISION. 1/6/2018. DEFECT IN FUEL DELIVERY. STILL IN SHOP. 2- ODD NOISE AND SMELL WHILE BACKING UP DUE TO CRACKS IN BRAKE PAD . 1/17/17 REPLACED 01/17/17 ( HAVE REPAIR INVOICE, NOT SURE HOW TO UPLOAD)

NHTSA ODI 11061424

May 25, 2017Electrical systemBrakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. AFTER IT RAINED OR AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED OVERNIGHT, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (STUART POWELL FORD LINCOLN MAZDA LOCATED AT 225 S DANVILLE BYPASS, DANVILLE, KENTUCKY), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEIR ENGINEERS WERE LOOKING INTO THE FAILURE. THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION UNDER NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10095821 (SERVICE BRAKES/ELECTRIC), WHICH STATED THAT NO REPAIRS SHOULD BE DONE AT THE TIME AND TO MONITOR OASIS FOR FUTURE UPDATES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10991673

Working with the data? Download all 115 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 21, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2017 Lincoln Mkz Hev verdict →