2017 Lincoln Mkz

I purchased a 2017 Lincoln MKZ and began experiencing serious engine problems, including repeated overheating and an engine misfire. The vehicle developed a check-engine light and a P0301 misfire code. I was advised by a repair shop that the vehicle has a serious engine problem and that the engine needs to be replaced. I am concerned that the overheating and engine problems could cause the vehicle to suddenly lose power or suffer complete engine failure while I am driving. If the engine loses power unexpectedly while I am traveling in traffic, I could be unable to accelerate or safely move out of the way of other vehicles, creating a serious safety hazard for me, my passengers, and other motorists. I contacted Lincoln regarding these problems and asked the manufacturer for assistance, but Lincoln refused to provide assistance with the issue. I am now left responsible for addressing a potentially serious engine and safety problem. I am requesting that NHTSA document and investigate these engine, misfire, and overheating problems to determine whether they may be related to a safety defect affecting other 2017 Lincoln MKZ vehicles.

My 2017 Lincoln MKZ experienced a sudden and severe engine failure consistent with the known Ford/Lincoln coolant intrusion defect affecting 1.5L, 1.6L, and 2.0L EcoBoost engines. While driving, the vehicle began losing coolant with no visible external leak, followed by rough running, misfires, and complete engine shutdown. The vehicle became inoperable and had to be towed to a Ford dealership. At the dealership, technicians were unable to start the vehicle at all, and could not even pull it into the service bay to perform diagnostics. The service department told us the symptoms match the known coolant‑intrusion issue documented in Ford’s Technical Service Bulletin 19‑2346, which applies to 2017–2019 2.0L EcoBoost engines. They advised us not to pay for diagnostic testing, because the failure pattern is already known and documented by Ford, but not covered under any recall. They referred us to Lincoln corporate. Lincoln corporate then informed us that they have no programs available to assist with this defect, even though it is a known issue. They stated that even if a program existed, they “wouldn’t be able to assist with even half the cost.” They also suggested that we consider installing a junkyard engine as a more cost‑effective option. This was their only recommendation for a catastrophic engine failure caused by a known defect. This is extremely concerning for a safety‑related failure. The symptoms match Ford’s documented defect exactly: • Coolant loss with no external leak • White smoke prior to failure • Engine misfires and rough running • Overheating • Engine unable to start • Potential for engine seizure or fire This is the same failure pattern described in recall 25V685 and the January 2026 recall, which involve coolant intrusion, overheating, and fire risk in similar Ford/Lincoln engines. My VIN is not included, but the failure mode is identical. My vehicle is now completely disabled due to this defect, and Lincoln has refused any assistance.

At any given time without warning the car will down shift into 4, 3, 2, or 1. It is intermittent but in the last 3 weeks has become very frequent. I have taken it to the dealership. They state that it is the internal clock spring in the the steering column. They have told me that my power train warranty and/or technology extended warranty will honor the replacement, so I looked up possible recalls on this model vehicle and found there is in fact a recall on the steering column internal clock spring but the concern was on the airbag. The issue I am having with the downshifting is going to cause someone to rear end me. There is no pre-warning. I have driven on service roads, the interstate, my neighborhood streets, and on highway. It seems to happen more as I am following the curve of the road, or when I am turning or changing lanes/merging onto interstate. If I am at a complete stop and turn either left or right it will downshift to 1. I am also concerned to the extent of damage this may be doing to my transmission and engine, as it happens during speeds of 45 to 75 mph on the highways and interstate. I do have video on my phone of this behavior and I can send it to you if I have an email address you have access to. I have placed the most current date of this behavior in the incident box, however this has happened numerous times over the past few months, It just wouldn't give a code to any dealerships for diagnosis.

I purchased this vehicle on November 11, 2024. About one month later, I began experiencing severe problems. The engine started overheating, which marked the beginning of a downward spiral of issues. To address the overheating, a new engine was installed by Murgado Lincoln dealership, which took approximately 48 days to complete. While the new engine resolved the overheating, a serious transmission problem has persisted and worsened. Since I purchased the car, the transmission has been slipping constantly, shifting gears on its own unpredictably, making loud noises under the hood and throughout the entire vehicle. These issues create a major safety hazard, putting me and others at significant risk. On June 25, 2025, I was involved in a hit-and-run incident that likely worsened the vehicle’s condition. During this incident, the side airbags on both sides of my vehicle deployed, but the front airbag did not deploy at all, which is highly concerning and increased the danger during the impact. Additionally, the car has a cracked shock absorber head, likely from the accident, which has led to instability and potential fishtailing. I am now afraid to drive the vehicle due to unpredictable handling and further mechanical failure. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. These problems have been confirmed and partially addressed by the dealer when the engine was replaced, but the transmission issues have never been fully resolved. There were no specific warning lamps for the transmission before the failure, but the slipping and erratic gear changes started about one month after purchase and have become progressively worse.

I was driving from my house to work and got about a mile and a half when all of a sudden the panoramic sunroof exploded around the edges. Nothing in the middle of the sunroof was broken. Nothing hit the sunroof…it just shattered. I got it back to my house and had it towed to the dealership. They told me that there was no way nothing didn’t hit the sunroof. Calling me a liar. I was in the car driving to work. Not going any faster than 40-45 mph on an outer road. Nothing above me…no overpass nothing. And it just happened. Scared me because at first I had no idea what the heck happened. Even the guy who towed my car to dealership told me he had never seen that before. The guy in the service department said the same thing. Something caused my sunroof to shatter and it wasn’t because it was hit by something.

2017 Lincoln MKZ had the "Auto Hold" on and the car came to a complete stop at an intersection with a red traffic light. One other vehicle was in front of me and we had been stopped for at least 30 seconds. Without notice the Lincoln MKZ quickly lunged forward and struck the vehicle in front of me. I kept applying the brake but the car would not stop, it kept hitting the car in front 3 times before it stopped. Auto Hold button was still illuminated. The car was then turned off. The person in the car in front of me stated that they thought I was hit from behind and pushed into their car. I also thought that I was hit from behind and pushed into the car in front. There were no injuries. If I would have been the first car at the light, chances are my car would have been T-boned. I have not driven the car since the incident. No warning signals were given prior to the incident. I would like to have the EDR , black box, evaluated to determine why the Auto Hold malfunctioned. Air bags did NOT deploy. The car is scheduled for service on January 10, 2022.

1) Every used miz I test drove had a super hard jerk out of first gear including the one I purchased, I was told it was fine, went to another dealership and was told the transmission clutch was gone, repaired under warranty. 2) Gas tank door spring failed, saw its a common problem with Ford Lincoln vehicles, dealer replaced entire door housing sleeve, not covered under warranty, had to be installed twice after coming out after incorrectly installed. 3) Front headlights lens spider web cracking. When purchased I saw small stress cracks at top by hood 3 to 7 months later entire lens/globe housing look like shattered glass but still in tacted, not covered under warranty, now passenger light starting to look the same. Only had the car 13 months. Dealer service rep ask do I drive car alot or drive in the rain, I was shocked. 4) Rear trunk tail light across entire back end full of moisture. Not covered under warranty. Every since 2007 this seem to be a common problem with every car I had to poor designed product that consumer have to pay for and shouldn't. It will cost thousands of dollars to replace.