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BMW 328I vs Lincoln MKZ: reliability compared

From 2007 to 2016, owners filed an average of 229 complaints per model year about the BMW 328I and 147 about the Lincoln MKZ.

Side by side

BMW 328ILincoln MKZ
Model years compared2007-20162007-2016
Owner complaints2,2881,471
Complaints per model year229147
Recalls1729
Years to avoid2007201120072008
Best years2012201520162016
Most common problemEngineAirbags
Crash rating5 2015No data
Fuel economy26-27 mpg combined (2016)20-40 mpg combined (2016)

A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.

Complaints per model year

2007 BMW 328I: 3992007 Lincoln MKZ: 25920072008 BMW 328I: 2392008 Lincoln MKZ: 28120082009 BMW 328I: 1932009 Lincoln MKZ: 11420092010 BMW 328I: 1552010 Lincoln MKZ: 17020102011 BMW 328I: 5802011 Lincoln MKZ: 14520112012 BMW 328I: 1302012 Lincoln MKZ: 14620122013 BMW 328I: 2582013 Lincoln MKZ: 10920132014 BMW 328I: 1522014 Lincoln MKZ: 9820142015 BMW 328I: 1252015 Lincoln MKZ: 8420152016 BMW 328I: 572016 Lincoln MKZ: 652016
BMW 328ILincoln MKZ

Problems compared

328IMKZ
Engine1,05675
Electrical657106
Airbags469669
Fuel system14233
Transmission12459
Steering102107
Brakes96266
Wheels2176

Questions about the BMW 328I vs Lincoln MKZ

Which is more reliable, the BMW 328I or the Lincoln MKZ?

Between 2007 and 2016, the BMW 328I has 2 years to avoid and the Lincoln MKZ 2. Both are about equally consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Lincoln MKZ drew fewer complaints per model year (147 vs 229), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the BMW 328I or the Lincoln MKZ?

From 2007 to 2016, the BMW 328I was covered by 17 recalls and the Lincoln MKZ by 29.

What years of the BMW 328I and Lincoln MKZ should you avoid?

BMW 328I: 2007 and 2011. Lincoln MKZ: 2007 and 2008.

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