AI Damage2016 Lincoln MKT: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Lincoln MKT filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure and backover prevention. The maker issued 60 service bulletins for this year. We found 4 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 9
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 60
- YouTube repair videos
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 33% of all complaints
- 2 Backover prevention 22% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 11% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 11% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 11% of all complaints
- Structure: 3 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Backover prevention: 2 complaints (22% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 22.
- Engine: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Steering: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 3.5 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- 3.7 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 9 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Backover prevention | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 22 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Lane departure | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V827000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the passenger's side B-pillar trim had partially detached.
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 driving forward and less frequently on when in reverse.
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.
While making a turn onto highway my electric power steering completely went out with cars turning next to me. It yanked the wheel out of my hand almost causing a crash. Then a window appears in ly car saying your steering has failed pull over safely . Little late for that.
I have owned this car for less than a year and the moonroof has shattered on me twice already. The front one to be exact, both times it was raining but normal rain, I live in northen california. No objects hit my car and no accident.
Rear window spontaneously shattered. Daylight hours, approximately 70 degrees fahrenheit, dry weather conditions, parked in shaded area. Driver walked to vehicle, sat in driver seat, closed driver-side door, and started vehicle uneventfully. Less than one minute later the rear window spontaneously shattered.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,524 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 27% least complained about).
On average one model year of the MKT has 10 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 9, about average.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Backover prevention. Rear camera and parking sensors after a rear impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogramming
- NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 25E08 – Supplement #1 Certain 2016 – 2019 Model Year Lincoln…
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 25E08 – Supplement #1 Certain 2016 – 2019 Model Year Lincoln MKT, 2016 Model Year MKS, and 2017 - 2020 Model Year Continental Vehicles with 3.7L Engines Powertrain Control…
- Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines…
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns …
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes…
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in…
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal…
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some…
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019…
- For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an…
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford…
- During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper,…
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. Incorrect torque may allow the bolt to…
- For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely…
For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a…
- Some 2015-2016 vehicles equipped with 6F50/6F55 transmission and built on 2-Nov-2015 and through…
Some 2015-2016 vehicles equipped with 6F50/6F55 transmission and built on 2-Nov-2015 and through 1-Feb-2016 may exhibit no reverse, 3rd and 5th gear with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0715,P0717,P0756 and/or P2701…
- Some 2016-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit a condition where the navigation…
Some 2016-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit a condition where the navigation voice prompts are inoperative after a SYNC map update. This may be due to an incomplete installation of the…
NHTSA lists 60 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Lincoln MKT?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: structure, backover prevention, electrical system. Total complaints: 9. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (67%), rear-view camera (11%), smoke, burning smell, fire (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Lincoln MKT?
NHTSA lists 60 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Lincoln MKT from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.