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2014 Lincoln MKZ problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

NO ELEVATED SIGNAL
22%
26 of 124 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2014 Lincoln MKZ. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 22% of relevant complaints.

Better than 84% of the 1,789 model years we track (2010–2023).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026
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Does the 2014 Lincoln MKZ have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 26 of 124 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2014 Lincoln MKZ concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (22%). For comparison, the 2013 scores 27% and the 2015 scores 17%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
26
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
124
this model year
Fires reported
0
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
14
13 crashes · 8 injuries

Complaints by component

STEERING26 · 21%
SERVICE BRAKES22 · 18%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM18 · 15%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER13 · 10%
HYDRAULIC12 · 10%
ENGINE10 · 8%

The years either side

2010
16%
10 of 169
2011
18%
18 of 185
2012
15%
17 of 205
2013
27%
29 of 121
2014
22%
26 of 124
2015
17%
14 of 95
2016
18%
10 of 70
2017
71%
106 of 155
2018
65%
22 of 37
2019
too few complaints
2020
too few complaints
2021
no data
2022
no data
2023
no data

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

What owners reported

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE04/18/2023CRASH1 INJURED
The contact's friend owned a 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while she was driving at approximately 43 MPH, a loud bang was heard coming from near the front passenger area, and then the tires and brakes seized, causing the vehicle to swerve and the contact then crashed into a guard rail. The check engi…
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM08/15/2023
I push my start button and it makes the starting nose and after a few minutes it starts and when I go to move it stalls out and then won't start again or starts and stalls again. But the next day drives fine. And it has been happening now for months even after we fixed the high rich codes it was giving out but now ther…
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM10/11/2022
The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln Mkz. The contact stated while reversing out of his parking lot, the vehicle stalled and the contact felt the vehicle lose power and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact had to restart the vehicle several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they stated tha…

Three of 26 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on the 2014 Lincoln MKZ (14)

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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 reg…
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
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 vehicl…
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
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 t…

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2014 Lincoln MKZ

Questions people ask about the 2014 Lincoln MKZ

Does the 2014 Lincoln MKZ have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 26 of 124 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2014 Lincoln MKZ concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (22%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2014 Lincoln MKZ?

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns on the 2014 Lincoln MKZ. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which Lincoln MKZ years are better?

Among the Lincoln MKZ years we track, the 2012 (15%), the 2010 (16%) and the 2015 (17%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2014 (22%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.

Should I buy a 2014 Lincoln MKZ?

That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2014 Lincoln MKZ shows no elevated engine or transmission pattern in owner complaints, which is a good starting point. It is still one car with its own history, so get an independent pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you commit.

Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 2 body styles NHTSA files separately.