LincolnMKZ2015Overview/lincoln/mkz/2015/base/

2015 Lincoln MKZ

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 MKZ.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2015 Lincoln MKZ is a midsize passenger car that requires 5.7 quarts of 5W-30 engine oil for maintenance service, a specification that reflects its standard four-cylinder and available hybrid powertrain offerings. During its model year, this generation accumulated 76 documented owner complaints with steering emerging as the most frequently reported concern, alongside 11 total recall campaigns addressing various equipment and safety matters. Relative to the MKZ's broader complaint history spanning 2006 through 2020, the 2015 model year falls well below the peak of 281 complaints recorded in 2008 while exceeding the lowest point of just 2 complaints logged in 2020, positioning it within a middle range that suggests moderate but not exceptional reliability performance across the model's lifecycle.

Model year202020192018201720162015201420132012

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · 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
Tire sizeP245/45R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

BatteryBAGM48H6760
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.

4.8–9.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.80 sec — 2017 Reserve 3.0T Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20143.7 Sedan 3.7L V66.50 sec14.80 sec300 hpAWD
2014EcoBoost Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-47.40 sec15.80 sec240 hpAWD
2014Hybrid Sedan 2.0L I-4 + Elec8.80 sec16.70 sec188 hpFWD
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

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.7 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, SAE 80W in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque 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 Fluid Capacity11.0
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.71
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.4-9.0
Brake FluidDOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilSAE 80W
Engine Coolant Capacity8.9
Engine Coolant Capacity9.7

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13.3
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts1st step:
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 1st; Lower: 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

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission52.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts111.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug14.75 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub148 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub Bearing Housing BoltsInstall a new nut.
Rear Wheel Hub148 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub Bearing Housing BoltsInstall a new nut.
Front Wheel Hub148 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.035 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.051 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity20.0-24.0 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeYN-12-D
Oil Capacity4.0 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity20 lbs
Oil TypeYN-32

Service checks

Pressure Test18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature175-182 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)51-65 engine running psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)55-73 engine running psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)46-80 engine on
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)51-65 engine running psi
Intake Valve Lash0.007-0.012 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 22; Rear: 21 /; Front: 22; Rear: 21
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 111; Rear: 66 /; Front: 111; Rear: 66
ABS Sensor Torque7.5 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.043; Rear: .374
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat bolt threads with clean engine oil. · Bolts 1-8

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
226.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees90 degrees
545 degrees; Bolt 945 degrees
17.4 ft. lbs.7.4 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 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
Every 100,000 miSpark 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 2015 Lincoln MKZ sits in the second generation (2013 onward) where federal complaint volumes dropped sharply from the 2013–2014 launch peak of 108 and 97 complaints to 76 in 2015, with recalls also declining from 13–14 to 11. Technical service bulletins remained elevated at 139, down from 159 in 2013 and 142 in 2014 but still far above first-generation levels, indicating ongoing service activity despite fewer owner complaints. The 2016 model year improved further to 63 complaints and 7 recalls, suggesting 2015 was a transitional year in the quality curve. The data shows steering and service brakes each drawing 7 complaints, followed by back-over prevention and hydraulic brakes at 5 each, with four crash-related complaints and no fire reports; the data does not specify root causes for these issues. This pattern positions the 2015 MKZ as an improvement over the troubled launch years but not yet at the lower complaint floor seen in 2016. For a used buyer, 2015 is a reasonable choice if the specific steering and brake bulletins have been addressed, but 2016 offers a cleaner federal record.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
139
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
76
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 0 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 76 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering7
Service Brakes7
Back Over Prevention5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Engine4
Unknown Or Other4
Structure4
Electrical System4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 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…

19V590000Seat Belts:FrontReported 12/08/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. In the event of a crash, heat from the deployment of a seat belt pretensioner may cause a front seat belt anchor cable to fail. Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 139 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 543662025-11-11Power TrainSome 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic…
SSM 530402024-10-10Unknown Or OtherWhile performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a…
20R01 S12024-08-08Unknown Or OtherCertain 2014-2015 Model Year Fiesta, 2014-2016 Model Year Fusion, MKZ and 2014-2016 Model…
SSM 523352024-03-06Engine And Engine CoolingFor 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer…
SSM 523142024-03-01Power TrainDuring service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or…

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 2015 MKZ take?

5.7 qt of Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil; Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Super Premium Motor Oil XO-5W30-QSP; CXO-5W30-LSP12; or equivalent, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 MKZ have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.