The Worst Problems for Every Lincoln Model and Generation

A large pile of crushed cars

Car problems happen. But there's something we can do about it.

By matching owner complaints with recall, investigation and technical service bulletin data we've come up with a list of the most common Lincoln problems for every model and generation. We've even ranked vehicles by their reliability.

Trending Problems

A few problems that keep popping up. There's plenty more where that came from.

  1. Door Ajar Light

    Lincoln owners are dealing with a door ajar warning lights that won’t shut off. 2011-2013 Lincoln MKX and 2013 MKT owners are having this problem in record numbers. The problem happens just outside the car’s standard warranty and has prompt…

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  2. Lincoln Vehicles with Recalled Takata Airbags

    Parts supplier, Takata, manufactured defective, shrapnel-hurling airbag inflators that need to be recalled. The issue affects 34 million+ vehicles spread out across 24 brands, making it one of the largest (and most dangerous) recalls in aut…

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  3. Aviator Cracked Rear Panel

    Own a 2003–2005 Aviator? Chances are your lift-gate is cracked. Complaints about cracked rear panels in that generation of Ford SUV’s including the Aviator, Ford Explorer, and Mercury Mountaineer is one of the most commonly issues reported …

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All Problems

What Owners Complain About the Most

Sorting out which topics, problems, and model years have the most overall complaints from owners on CarComplaints.com.

Worst Issues (see all)

What Breaks (see all)

Years to Avoid (see all)

The Least Reliable Lincoln Models

Some models just can't seem to get out of their own way. We've created a list of the least reliable GMC models using data such as complaint volume, average cost of repairs, age of the car when it breaks down, and recall frequency.

All Models

  1. Lincoln Zephyr

    Reliability
    15th of 15
    PainRank™
    18.68
    Complaints
    60
    Continue

  2. Lincoln MKZ

    Reliability
    14th of 15
    PainRank™
    12.47
    Complaints
    195
    Continue Front 3/4 view of a

  3. Lincoln MKX

    Reliability
    13th of 15
    PainRank™
    10.65
    Complaints
    201
    Continue Front 3/4 view of a

  4. Lincoln Aviator

    Reliability
    12th of 15
    PainRank™
    9.99
    Complaints
    119
    Continue Front 3/4 view of a

Key Numbers

  1. 16 models

    Each with their own trim levels, bodystyles, and special blend of headaches.

  2. 27 generations

    A group of years for a specific model with the same design, features, and problems.

  3. 30 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  4. 1,187 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  5. 3,362 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  6. 191 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Worst Generations

A generation is a group of model years where little, if any, changes were made. They tend to have the same problems and some generations have horrible reputations for reliability. Here's a handful you should avoid.

See All Generations

  1. 1st Generation Zephyr

    Years
    2006–2006
    Reliability
    24th of 24
    PainRank™
    18.68
    Complaints
    60
    Continue

  2. 1st Generation MKZ

    Years
    2007–2012
    Reliability
    23rd of 24
    PainRank™
    11.2
    Complaints
    152
    Continue Front 3/4 view of a MKZ

  3. 1st Generation Aviator

    Years
    2003–2005
    Reliability
    22nd of 24
    PainRank™
    9.7
    Complaints
    119
    Continue

  4. 1st Generation MKX

    Years
    2007–2015
    Reliability
    21st of 24
    PainRank™
    6.95
    Complaints
    156
    Continue Front 3/4 view of a MKX

Recent Lincoln News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. The 2020-2021 Aviator's backup camera works most of the time.

    But that's not good enough for customers or federal regulators. Lincoln says every so often after the driver shifts into reverse an error in the system's image processing module interupts the video feed. It's something they hope can be fixed with a recall and a software update.…

    keep reading

  2. The 2021 Aviator SUV has been recalled to fix or replace steering knuckles that can fracture due to defects during manufacturing.

    If the steering knuckle fails you won't get very far considering it's what essentially holds the front wheels in place. The knuckle is a chunky piece of metal that is the critical connection between the steering and suspension systems.

    Without it, you can't turn so it's pretty darn important.

    Lincoln expects to send out recall notices to roughly 700 owners this month. You can also call 866-436-7332 and ask about campaign number 20S69.

    keep reading

  3. Ford needs to repair 18 driveshafts that they believe have fractures along the weld seams.

    Only trouble is they'll have to recall a heck of a lot of vehicles to find them. The affected vehicles are all 2020 Lincoln Aviators and Ford Explorers built in Chicago between 08/24/2019 and 09/30/2019. That's roughly 12,200 vehicles.…

    keep reading

  6. There’s an issue with the system that alerts drivers to keep their dang hands on the steering wheel while driving the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus.

    About 2,276 of the vehicles are located in the U.S. and another 371 are recalled in Canada, and all were built from September 5, 2018, to November 19, 2018.

    Automakers need to install these monitors because people are confusing driver-assist technologies, like lane-centering and adaptive front steering, with driver-replacement technologies.

    Don’t be that person.

    keep reading

See More News

Have a complaint about your vehicle?

The best way to find out what's wrong with a vehicle is from the people who drive them. Not only do owner complaints help us rank vehicles by reliability, but they're often used to spark class-action lawsuits and warranty extensions. Plus, they're a great way to vent.

Add a complaint