Vehicle: Lincoln MKZ 2013 Dealer: Auto Quest Inc. Description of the Safety Issue: I am submitting this report regarding a vehicle safety concern involving a 2013 Lincoln MKZ that I purchased from Auto Quest Inc. in Renton, Washington. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, within the first few days of ownership, the vehicle began experiencing significant mechanical problems including transmission issues and persistent brake noise that required multiple repair attempts. These problems appeared almost immediately after the purchase, which raises concerns that the vehicle may have had pre-existing mechanical or safety-related defects that were not disclosed at the time of sale. Since purchasing the vehicle I have had to spend thousands of dollars on repairs in order to keep the vehicle operational. Despite these repairs, the brake system has continued to produce abnormal noise and the vehicle has experienced ongoing mechanical issues. These types of issues may represent potential safety risks to drivers and passengers if the braking system or transmission were to fail while the vehicle is in operation. I am reporting this issue so that the federal safety agency can evaluate whether this may represent a broader safety defect affecting this vehicle model or vehicles sold under similar circumstances.
2013 Lincoln MKZ transmission problems
15 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 30,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 15
- of this car's complaints
- 14%
- typical mileage
- 30,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Lincoln MKZ transmission problems in other years
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid vehicles manufactured April 26, 2012, through September 24, 2013. Due to a manufacturing error, the transmission range sensor may not function properly allowing the affected vehicles to be shifted out of the Park position without first applying the brake pedal. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection."
- Risk
- Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park, allowing it to roll which may result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new software, free of charge. The recall began on January 2014. Customers may contact Ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13C09.
Recall number 13V594000 · Recall details
What 2013 Lincoln MKZ owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Noted a natural gas smell in my car only when heat on in car and not constent, just in spirts I would get a strong smell. Then last week my car started making a weird whinning noise that has gotten louder and more consistent over the past week. I noted the 2013 mkz had recalls for issues like this before. I just purchased this car used 3 months ago.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 lincoln mkz. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have transmission fluid added to the transmission and have the vehicle examined. The contact stated that the transmission was cleared however, the next day when the vehicle was turned on and attempted to shift the vehicle into drive, the vehicle failed to shift into the drive. A warning light stated that a shifter system failure had occurred and to check the owners manual. The contact contacted west herr ford lincoln service (10 campbell blvd, getzville, ny 14068, (716) 688-5464) who informed the contact that there was no recall on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 103,270.
Mkz 2013 lincoln with same symptoms and required component (bushing) change as safety recall 18s20. Please include the mkz 2013 lincoln series in the recall 18s20 (view attached)
While stationary after turning on the vehicle there is a hard shift in gears from park to drive. While vehicle is in motion on the city street there is a hard shift around 35 MPH to 55 MPH. While driving on the city street after 5 miles the vehicle start sputtering and not shifting gears properly then there isn't any acceleration from a traffic light stop and go. And then it picks back up and drive high RPM sound. Or high rev sounds. In addition the gas cap unit is faulty I replaced it before and now it appears it has to be replaced again because it won't close properly. A p0171 code maf sensor came up along with transmission codes for the 5th and 4th gear ratio according to the diagnostics reported from the ob reading and some additional codes that I can't even describe. For the most part the vehicle stalls while driving city and highway which makes it very dangerous to drive
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 lincoln mkz. When the contact parked the vehicle, the gear indicator did not display the park position when the vehicle was shut off. The contact must reshift to the park position several times before it the gear position displayed correctly. The contact called napleton's river oaks lincoln, llc (1777 river oaks dr, calumet city, il 60409, (708) 891-5400) and was advised to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Car complete stalls and says "run power active". Very unsafe situation. Car was not able to be moved. Was not able to be started again for over a minute
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 lincoln mkz. While driving approximately 30 MPH during inclement weather conditions, the windshield wipers failed to properly adjust to the desired speed level. In addition, the brake peal traveled abnormally to the floorboard when depressed and the steering wheel required excessive force in order to maneuver the vehicle. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to shift gears properly and failed to drive over 35 MPH. The speedometer failed to read properly the accurate reading levels. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but the failure was unable to be replicated. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 15v250000 (steering) and 13v594000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 lincoln mkz. The contact stated that the part for the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v597000 (air bags, seat belts) was not available to repair the vehicle. The recall report date was september 26, 2014 and the recall remedy was still not available in february of 2015. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact did not disclose if a failure occurred. Updated 4/6/15*cn the consumer stated two days after having the vehicle serviced at the dealer for recalls, the steering wheel would not turn.
The car was pulled into a parking space (space in front of a canal) and pushed buttoned into park and the car then lurched forward, going into the canal (front half only, the back half was stopped by the sea wall). We see there was a recall for the same problem for 2013 lincoln mkz hybrids (ours is not a hybrid).
Questions about the 2013 Lincoln MKZ transmission
Does the 2013 Lincoln MKZ have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 15 complaints about the transmission of the 2013 Lincoln MKZ, 14% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2013 Lincoln MKZ transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 30,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Lincoln MKZ transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 13V594000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Lincoln MKZ have bad transmission?
The Lincoln MKZ model years with the most transmission complaints are 2017 (24 complaints) and 2013 (15 complaints).
Other 2013 Lincoln MKZ problems
Electrical 17Steering 16Body 12Seat belts 12Engine 11Brakes 8Fuel system 8Locks 8Wheels 7Driver assistance 6Airbags 4Seats 4Acceleration 2Lights 1Suspension 1Visibility 1
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