Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Lincoln MKZ, and it carries 14 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 20 | 21% |
| Power train | 7 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 5% |
| Engine | 5 | 5% |
| Structure | 4 | 4% |
| Back over prevention | 3 | 3% |
| Wheels | 3 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owned a 2014 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while idle at a stop sign, a nearby aggressive driver had lost control attempting to pass another nearby vehicle; however, lost control and T-boned the front
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Back up camera freezes or goes blacks in the middle of use. In the middle of backing up, it goes out or does not even turn on when put in reverse. When it doesnt come on, it has an error message or just goes black.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The transmission is slipping my car is only has 53,000 miles on it, the radio doesn’t work I had to pay over $1000 to fix the trunk latch and my brakes are fine but not working properly
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
STEERING GEAR STOPPED WORKING, CAUSED THE CAR TO LOCK UP STEERING WHILE DRIVING SIMALAR AS RECALL 19S26. WE FEEL THIS CAR SHOULD ADDED TO THE CURRENT RECALLS FOR THIS SAME MATTER.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Rear backup camera works intermittently. Can be backing up and viewing screen goes dark. Original equipment, no damage to automobile. Has been malfunctioning for several months now.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a flipped image while reversing. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the V
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
Rear view camera failure. When the vehicle is put in reverse, the rear view camera does not come on creating a safety hazard while backing up since you don't always have a line of sight due to other vehicles parked next
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
A light came on for steering loss, stop safely and lock down my car. We are unable to drive it. The issue is the same to the recall number 19526 and possibly number 18508. Which my car is listed. The steering becsme diff
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the 2014 Lincoln MKZ. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Min
Risk: If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increa
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear w
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured November 2, 2012, to July 31, 2014, and 2013-2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 14, 2012, to July 31, 2014. In the event of a crash, heat from the deployment of a seat belt pretensione
Risk: If the driver or front passenger seatbelt cables cannot properly restrain the front seat occupants, they would be at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable, free of charge. The recall began May 16, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.
Risk: A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this reca
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Fiesta, 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, i
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches, free of charge. The recall began May 1, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for
| Reliability raw | 58 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 67 | good |
| Maintenance | 61 | average |
| Depreciation | 74 | good |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 20 of them (21%). There are 14 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 58/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 67/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2014 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.