Lincoln MKZ transmission failure problems

Filed Jan 14, 2026 · Transmission · FL

The car had an internal transmission failure and caused most of the transmission fluid to leak out between inspections. Upon removing the cv axle on driver’s side, the seal was fine and replaced along with cv axle. The fluid drained and was only about half a liter (needs about 4.5L normally). After servicing the transmission fluid, the dealership did their assessment and came to the following conclusion. “ Good Afternoon Sir We found the transmission system requires replacement due to an internal fault, including damage to the transfer shaft and bearings, with potential additional internal damage. Replacing the transmission can help restore smooth gear shifting and overall drivetrain functionality. To replace the transmission, you are looking at $9000.00 out the door. My apology on taking much longer to diagnose this properly. If you have any other questions please let me know. ” The drastic transmission failure which makes noises and engages and disengages while on cruise control shows the failure internally. Many metal pieces were found among the fluid when drained. This could and still can easily leave someone on the middle of the road with no time to drive to the shoulder. Car still has less than 100k miles with the severe transmission failure and the fluid leak which occurred prior to the transmission making noise. Essentially, the internal components caused the leak which the caused even more damage. I’m quoted $9,000 for the repair which occurred really early in the car’s life. I do a lot of longer trips away from home and can easily be left stranded in the middle of nowhere or even cause huge accidents when in heavy fast moving traffic if I lose drivability or if metal components fly off. The cv axle moves in and out of the transaxle side meaning the shaft can pop off as well.

Filed Dec 28, 2025 · Transmission · FL

Car only has 97K miles and the transmission fluid has been leaking for some time causing loud noises from the transmission which took time to locate. The transmission leaked fluid and only had about half a liter of fluid when it should be around 4.5 liters. The fluid leaked from the transmission on the driver cv axle seal. The car shows no lights on dash of any kind. I discovered the leak after the noises were really bad while driving one day. I put the car on my ramps and got under and discovered the driver cv axle damaged and looked like electrical tape was jammed in the cv axle near the transfer case/transmission. Upon closer inspection the leak of transmission fluid was even more obvious. There is no dip stick for the transmission so I decided to drain and see and there is evidence of only about half a liter of fluid. The fluid is black and full of metal particles. This is concerning because the depth of damage is unknown until the car is repaired; this repair would include a new seal, cv axle and fluid replacement. There is no way to know what internal damage was done and this was such a short period of time. Periodic inspections are conducted on the vehicle when oil changed are completed. This can easily lead to transmission failure and the risk is exponential due to it happening regardless of where you are on the road with the unknown weather and road conditions. Miles reflected is when the leak was discovered after the noises. 97,839 miles.

Filed Jul 15, 2025 · Airbags, Engine · IL · crash

I purchased my 2017 Lincoln MKZ Select on November 11, 2024. The vehicle was determined to need a new engine, per Murgado Lincoln of Chicago. They had my car for over 48 days while putting in a new engine. After this was completed the car had to be sent back due to a mistake the mechanics made by not attaching a gasket properly. After this, I began experiencing odd noises underneath the hood and throughout the vehicle; delayed timing belt in both acceleration and deceleration, and so forth. I was then involved in a hit-and-run car accident (not my fault). All side airbags deployed and my passenger side rear wheel is destroyed. I had this car assessed just a few days ago by a certified Auto Care Company who said I needed a completely new transmission and that this car is not street legal at the moment... insurance is not helping me at all.

Filed Apr 14, 2025 · Electrical, Suspension · MN

After reading about the numerous complaints about this vehicles transmission issues I have decided to come here. The PCM and TCM need to be changed in the vehicle. Causing rough shifts from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th which essentially will cause you to replace the transmission because of the damage it causes. Also constantly having drive control malfunction, check headlamp system messages popping up. There is also horrendous noise from the rear suspension any time you go over any type of anomaly in the road.

Filed Apr 17, 2020 · Brakes, Transmission · 60,000 miles · MI

After repairing brakes at my cost many times now they are recalled. I had to replace the lincoln wheels at my cost after researching that many problems were reported. Also with only 65,000 miles on my car my transmission is out. I have had many electrical issues. It is clear that major issues is on the this model year. While driving my transmission failed. I towed the car to dealership and they want to now charge 4400.00 for the transmission. I am out of money with this vehicle and it was clearly poorly manufactured.

Filed Oct 30, 2019 · Acceleration, Wheels · IL

Carvana states "thank you for taking the time to email us about your recent vehicle purchase! Carvana takes pride in the vehicles that we provide and sell to every customer. Per our standards, we complete a 150 point inspection of every vehicle however this was not the case. I had so many issues from transmission failure, speakers not working, speed issues with car not accelerating to tires not being the correct ones so I would slide on raining days and almost crash on 3 occasions.

Filed Oct 11, 2019 · Transmission · 69,000 miles · VA

At 69,000 miles the transmission in my 2012 lincoln mkz failed due to defects in materials and workmanship, according to my lincoln/ford dealer. When accelerating into overdrive, the transmission would shudder and experience shifting problems, usually around 40 MPH. The shifting issue occurred whether driving on city streets or on the highway. Upon inspection, the dealer determined the transmission was damaged beyond repair due an excessive amount of metal shavings left behind in the manufacturing and assembly processes. The unremoved shavings had acted as an abrasive causing excessive wear and tear on transmission's components. This condition resulted transmission failure. The only remedy--replace the transmission. The repair was done at the dealership but since the powertrain was out of warranty I had to bear the total cost of the repair. This defect is very serious because the powertrain could malfunction at any time and without any warning resulting in serious injury and/or death.

Filed Jun 5, 2019 · Transmission · 3,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 lincoln mkz. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The contact switched gears and the vehicle decelerated. The vehicle rolled and stopped in the middle of the road. The contact restarted the engine and the vehicle was able to drive off. The vehicle was taken to olathe ford lincoln (1845 e santa fe st, olathe, ks 66062) where they diagnosed the vehicle, but could not duplicate the failure. The mechanic stated that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,000.

Filed Oct 31, 2017 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · TN

Outer bearing failure in transmission resulting in metal-to-metal bearing destruction and according to ford technicians once complete failure occurs would cause the vehicle to abruptly stop when driving. Ford-lincoln issued a technical service bulletin for this issue but there has been no customer notification or voluntary recall for my specific vehicle VIN but it is my understanding that there was a recall for this issue for other ford and lincolns for this problem to replace the transmission. The only resolution is a complete replacement of the transmission as the transmission can not be repaired. The old core transmission was required to be sent back to ford-lincoln. The factory transmission is warrantied for 60,000 miles and in my specific case the vehicle had 110,000 miles. The replacement transmission is believed to have engineering changes to preclude this bearing failure and has a warranty of 100,000 miles. The chief concern is that ford-lincoln is well aware of the pending transmission failure so much that they issued an internal tsb addressing the issue, but not so concerned to send any correspondence to owners of vehicles containing this transmission and the potential consequences should it fail, which apparently could be catastrophic and life-threatening to occupants and potentially other vehicles driving in close proximity. Also, in speaking to a customer service representative on their national call line for concerns, the agent was certain I did not have a transmission subject to failure, even though there was the tsb in effect which I mentioned above. She indicated that did not relate to my vehicle when I questioned her further. Both ford mechanic and a certified mechanic not associated with ford both indicated the transmission in my lincoln was associated with the tsb for transmission failure. Photo info on defective transmission attached.

Filed Sep 21, 2015 · Transmission · 164,000 miles · MA

While entering access ramp to highway, at approx 30 MPH, the transmission shifted hard and I noticed the tachometer rise to 4000rpm and stay at that level. The vehicle would not shift. I did manage to enter the highway but the highest speed I could garner was 55mph all the while the tach stayed at 4-5000 RPM and continued to race. Since that time, I have noticed leaking fluids from the transmission and informed that I need a new transmission.