The Lincoln MKZ is a midsize car built from 2007 to 2020 over 2 generations. Most were assembled in Mexico — 99.1% of those on record. Between 2007 and 2020 it grew 9 cm longer and gained 173 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl, Hybrid, V6. Worth buying? It holds up well, with the usual caveat about model years at 4.0/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the MKZ is
The Lincoln MKZ is a midsize car that Lincoln built from 2007 to 2020 — 14 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2013. It has been offered with 4-cyl, Hybrid, V6 power. Its closest siblings in the Lincoln range: Mark, LS, Zephyr.
Where the MKZ is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 1,592 MKZs on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 3LN | 2007-2020 | |
| Canada | 2LM | 2007-2018 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a Lincoln VIN decide which of these 2 lines your MKZ belongs to. What every character in a MKZ VIN means →
Got the full 17 characters? A free VIN check on a Lincoln MKZ adds what the decoder can't see: open recalls, theft and total-loss records, and the safety ratings for that exact build.
MKZ generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the MKZ's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the MKZ that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-2012 | 484 cm | 273 cm | 1603 kg | - | - |
| 2013-2020 | 493 cm | 285 cm | 1776 kg | +9 cm | +173 kg |
Between 2007 and 2020 the MKZ gained 9 cm in length (+1.9%) and 173 kg in weight (+10.8%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the MKZ that is 173 kg against 9 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Lincoln MKZ tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment MKZ owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Lincoln MKZ have? Power & range
The Lincoln MKZ is offered with 3 powertrains — 3L 6-cyl, 2L 4-cyl, 2L 4-cyl Hybrid. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 3 for the Lincoln MKZ, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | FWD | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | FWD | Regular |
| Hybrid | 2.0L · 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The MKZ by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Lincoln MKZ. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | MKZ | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 97 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 1,693 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.0 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Crash safety | ★★★★★ NHTSA | Frontal, side, rollover |
| Insurance | $1,441/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 620 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Lincoln MKZ?
The MKZ is a midsize car, built from 2007 to 2020 across 2 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl, Hybrid, V6.
Where is the Lincoln MKZ made?
Across 1,592 cars in our records the split is: Mexico (99.1%), Canada (0.9%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the MKZ have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2013. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the MKZ grew 9 cm longer and gained 173 kg.
What is the Lincoln MKZ warranty?
New models carry 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 4 years / 50,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the MKZ reliable?
It scores 4.0/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific MKZ?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Lincoln
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Navigator | 1998–2026 | 155 | 19 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Lincoln Continental | 1981–2026 | 80 | 24 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Lincoln Aviator | 2003–2026 | 127 | 23 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Lincoln Nautilus | 2019–2026 | 35 | 30 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Lincoln Mark | 1981–1998 | 27 | 24 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Lincoln Town Car | 1981–2011 | 128 | 20 mpg | 3.5/5 |
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