VehicleVerdict

2016 Lincoln MKT problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 10 complaints on file for the 2016 Lincoln MKT — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

10

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other MKT years?

MKT NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted92 complaints2010: 92 complaints2011: 26 complaints2012: 33 complaints2013: 90 complaints2014: 79 complaints2015: 27 complaints2016: 10 complaints2017: 3 complaints2018: 10 complaints2019: 12 complaints
MKT NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all MKT years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Lincoln MKT problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other220%
Body & Structure220%
Engine110%
Steering110%
Suspension110%
Driver Assistance110%
Visibility & Wipers110%
Electrical System110%

Does the 2016 Lincoln MKT have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V827000Body & StructureDecember 1, 2025 · 11,852 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKT vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.

Consequence

Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will repair the B-pillar trim, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 23, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in July 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD5. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 2, 2025.

20V072000SuspensionFebruary 10, 2020 · 211,207 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

Consequence

A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.

16V925000EngineDecember 22, 2016 · 1,163 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.

Consequence

An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S46.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MY MOONROOF SHATTERED WITH NO REASON AS I WAS PULL FROM MY DRIVEWAY. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE 28 DEGREES NOT EVEN COLD FOR A CHICAGO. I WAS DRIVING NO MORE THAN 15 MILES AND NO HARD BRAKES OR BUMPS JUST SUDDENLY CRACKED ALL OVER.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 12, 2018

“WHILE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, THE MOONROOF ON MY VEHICLE EXPLODED (SOUNDED LIKE A .38 GOING OFF). I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED (THINKING MAYBE IT WAS A BLOWN TIRE) ONLY TO FIND THAT THE MOONROOF HAD COMPLETELY SHATTERED (SEE ATTACHED PICTURES). I HAD TWO OTHER PEOPLE IN MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 28, 2018

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LINCOLN MKT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V072000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NEITHER THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 1, 2020

“The engine light continues to come on and the only reading it gives off is that the engine is running lean. Nothing seems to be smoking or wrong with the vehicle. It continues to drive well. Then the backup cameras started to go on a blink. It comes off and on intermittently sometimes on while…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 11, 2025

“The engine light continues to come on and the only reading it gives off is that the engine is running lean. Nothing seems to be smoking or wrong with the vehicle. It continues to drive well. Then the backup cameras started to go on a blink. It comes off and on intermittently sometimes on while…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 11, 2025

2016 Lincoln MKT — common questions

Is the 2016 Lincoln MKT reliable?

The record is thin — 10 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2016 MKT problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (2 complaints), body & structure (2 complaints), engine (1 complaints).

Does the 2016 Lincoln MKT have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Lincoln MKT. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lincoln MKT years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the MKT years to avoid are 2010, 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among MKT years belongs to 2017.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.