LincolnMKZ2016Overview/lincoln/mkz/2016/base/

2016 Lincoln MKZ

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 MKZ.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2016 Lincoln MKZ is a passenger car equipped with a 5W-20 engine oil requiring 6.0 quarts, and it stands out in the model’s reliability record for having 63 total owner complaints—with steering as the top problem area—alongside 7 recalls. Within the model’s complaint history spanning 2006 to 2020, the 2016 year sits well below the peak of 281 complaints seen in 2008 but remains notably higher than the 2 complaints recorded for the 2020 model, indicating a mid-range reliability position that researchers should weigh against the steering-related issues and recall frequency.

Model year202020192018201720162015201420132012

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20OEM · 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
2017Reserve 3.0T Sedan 3.0L Twin-Turbo V64.80 sec13.40 sec400 hpAWD
2017Reserve 3.0T Sedan 3.0L Twin-Turbo V65.20 sec13.70 sec400 hpAWD
2017Hybrid Reserve 2.0H Sedan 2.0L I-4 + Elec8.70 sec16.60 sec188 hpFWD
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

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 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 Capacity4.0-6.0
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.43 qt
Engine CoolantUse
Engine Coolant Capacity7.4 qt
Engine CoolantUse
Engine Coolant Capacity8.8 qt

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
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 148.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 148.0 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 Capacity1.25-1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.70 oz
Standard BCI Group Number67R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance390 cca
Standard BCI Group Number90

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 Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (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 federal record shows owner complaints crested early in this model run at 259 in 2007 and 281 in 2008, trended downward through 2015, and hit 63 in 2016—the lowest annual count since 2006 and well below the adjacent 2015 and 2017 figures of 76 and 129. Recalls also eased in 2016 to 7, down sharply from the double-digit peaks of 2013 through 2015, while investigations held steady at 3. Technical service bulletins, however, remained elevated at 143, consistent with the high 2013–2015 range, though the data does not specify what drives that continued volume. For 2016 specifically, the leading complaint areas are steering, service brakes, air bags, and electrical system, accompanied by 8 crash-related complaints and zero fire-related complaints. Falling at the bottom of the complaint-and-recall arc just before 2017’s rebound, 2016 represents a comparatively quiet interval in this vehicle’s federal history. As a result, the 2016 MKZ stands out as a favorable year to buy within this record, provided prospective buyers ensure any outstanding TSB-related service has been performed.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
143
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
63
Owner complaints
8 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 63 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering8
Service Brakes7
Air Bags6
Electrical System5
Unknown Or Other5
Engine5
Back Over Prevention4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 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…

18V167000Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle BarReported 12/03/2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving. Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 143 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25N172026-03-25Unknown Or OtherAdvance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year…
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…

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 2016 MKZ take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C946-A or equivalent., per the factory manual.

Does the 2016 MKZ have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.