LincolnMKZ2013Overview/lincoln/mkz/2013/base/

2013 Lincoln MKZ

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 MKZ.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2013 Lincoln MKZ is a passenger car whose routine maintenance calls for 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil, slotting into a model line whose documented owner complaints span 2006 through 2020. This model year carries 108 total owner complaints alongside 13 recalls, with steering standing out as the top complaint area. Measured against that full history, those figures place the 2013 well below the 2008 peak of 281 complaints but considerably above the 2020 low of just 2—putting it in the middle tier of the MKZ's reliability record, where steering concerns and a substantial recall count warrant attention without marking this year as the model's worst.

Model year202020192018201720162015201420132012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 67R · 390 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 67R · 390 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTAILOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-45R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Cabin air filterDG9Z19N619D

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length194.1 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height58.3 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Curb weight3827 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the MKZ of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.3–9.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.30 sec — 2013 3.7 Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20133.7 Sedan 3.7L V66.30 sec14.80 sec300 hpAWD
20133.7 Sedan 3.7L V66.40 sec14.70 sec300 hpAWD
2013EcoBoost Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.60 sec15.00 sec240 hpAWD
2013EcoBoost Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-47.20 sec15.50 sec240 hpAWD
2013EcoBoost Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-47.70 sec15.90 sec240 hpAWD
2013Hybrid Sedan 2.0L I-4 + Elec8.80 sec16.70 sec188 hpFWD
2013Hybrid Sedan 2.0L I-4 + Elec9.40 sec17.20 sec188 hpFWD
20143.7 Sedan 3.7L V66.50 sec14.80 sec300 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.0-6.0
Brake FluidDOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.5 Pints
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13.3 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 8.8 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug14.75 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub148 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub148 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque9.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.90 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25 lbs
Oil Capacity4.90 oz
RefrigerantR134a

Service checks

Pressure Test14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Pressure Test19 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature175-182 °F
Pressure Test21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180-202 °F
RPM55-72 @ Idle rpm
RPM51-62 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs / 21 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle111 ft-lbs / 66 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.043 in / 0.374 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Tighten all bolts to finger tight. Step 25 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 9074 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 4: 37 ft. lbs., step 5: 9089 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Coat bolts with engine oil. Do not reuse old bolts. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

15.17 ft. lbs.5.17 ft. lbs
211.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
341.0 ft. lbs.41 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59 ft. lbs., Step 3: 83 ft. lbs., Step 4: 9037 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Install 7 new exhaust manifold stud12.5 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18 ft. lbs., Step 3: 604 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 157 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miAir Conditioning Refrigerant Line (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 20,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2013 Lincoln MKZ represents a dramatic shift in the model's federal record, transitioning from the previous generation's high-complaint era—which peaked at 281 complaints in 2008—into a new design arc defined by lower complaint volumes but substantial manufacturer interventions. Although 2013 complaints fell to 108, the target year saw recalls spike to 13 (up from 6 in 2012) and technical service bulletins surge to 159 (up from 38 the prior year), signaling extensive early-production corrections. The primary complaint categories for 2013 are Steering (11), Structure (10), Electrical System (9), and Latches/Locks/Linkages (8), though the data does not specify the root causes for these issues or the reported 4 crashes and 2 fires. Positioned at the beginning of this new generational arc, the 2013 model clearly suffers from first-year growing pains, with the following year peaking at 14 recalls before a gradual stabilization. Because this redesign year carries an unusually high burden of recalls and technical service bulletins, a used 2013 MKZ is a risky purchase unless you can definitively verify that all 13 recalls and the myriad TSB-related repairs have been properly addressed.

13
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
159
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
108
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 108 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering11
Structure10
Electrical System9
Latches/Locks/Linkages8
Unknown Or Other7
Seat Belts6
Engine5
Wheels5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 13 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V632000Steering:Electric Power Assist SystemReported 29/08/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a…

16V875000Seat Belts:FrontReported 05/12/2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured November 2, 2012, to July 31, 2014, and 2013-2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 14, 2012, to July 31… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable, free of charge. The recall began May 16, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 159 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 530402024-10-10Unknown Or OtherWhile performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a…
SSM 515362023-04-04StructureFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis…
SSM 512612022-12-16Service BrakesSome Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When…
SSM 511812022-11-04Service BrakesSome 2013-2016 Escape/Fusion/MKZ vehicles may display an error message when updating the…
TSB 22-23962022-10-25Power TrainSome 2013-2020 Fusion, MKZ and 2013-2018 C-Max vehicles equipped with an HF35…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific MKZ. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 MKZ take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 MKZ have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.