LincolnMKZ2020Overview/lincoln/mkz/2020/base/

2020 Lincoln MKZ

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 MKZ.

The 2020 Lincoln MKZ, requiring 5.7 quarts of 5W-30 engine oil, recorded only two owner complaints and a single recall, with the top complaint area listed as "Unknown Or Other." This places the 2020 model year as the lowest in complaints across the MKZ's production run from 2006 to 2020, a stark contrast to the 2008 peak of 281 complaints. Consequently, the 2020 MKZ represents the most reliable iteration of the model, offering a trouble-free ownership experience based on owner-reported data.

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
Lug nut torque150.0 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 90 · 590 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 90 · 590 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size245/45R18/XL 100WOEM · 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 weight3909 lb
Track (front / rear)62.6 / 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 5.7 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, SAE 80W in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 155.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidMERCON® LV Automatic Transmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.0
Automatic Transmission FluidMERCON® LV Automatic Transmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.76
Brake FluidDOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilSAE 80W
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.58 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)4.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs11.08 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)8.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Driveshaft Flange to Transmission26.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts150.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts155.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts111.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts111.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug13.24 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Type12405
Spark Plug Gap0.030 in
Spark Plug Torque8.8 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.375 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeYN-35
Oil Capacity5.24 oz
RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.125 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

RPM46.4–79.8 Engine running rpm
RPM46.4–79.8 Engine running rpm
RPM50.8–65.3 psi Engine running rpm
Engine Oil Pressure29–60 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPMhot @ 2,000 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure RPM21
Engine Oil Pressure29-60 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPMhot @ 2,000 rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 22; Rear: 21
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 111; Rear: 66
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.6; Rear: 6.6
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 22; Rear: 21
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 111; Rear: 66
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.6; Rear: 6.6
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 41.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 21.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 111.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 66.0 ft-lbs

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
15.1 ft. lbs. Step 2: 11.85.1 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
15.1 ft.lbs. Step 2: 11.85.1 ft.lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
160°
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 360° Step 3: 37.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 90°30 ft. lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
160°
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs. Step 2: 21.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 90°7.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 180° Step 3: 24.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 90°24 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs. Step 2: 21.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 90°7.4 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Center Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
190
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Center Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1166.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 360° Step 3: 26.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 270°166 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Center Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
190
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1166.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: -360°, Step 3: 26.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 270°166 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
15.1 ft. lbs. Step 2: 11.8 ft. lbs. Step 3: 41.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 90° Step 5: 90°5.1 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.75 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 2 turns Step 3: 37.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 180°14.75 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
15.1 ft. lbs. Step 2: 11.8 ft. lbs. Step 3: 33.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 90° Step 5: 90°5.1 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-814.8 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 59.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 83.037 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 59.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 83.037 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 59.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 83.037 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.6 ft. lbs. Step 2: 18.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 90°3.6 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 360° Step 3: 26.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 180°30 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.6 ft. lbs. Step 2: 18.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 90°3.6 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.5 ft. lbs. Step 2: 7.42.5 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs. Step 2: 14.757.4 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs. Step 2: 45°7.4 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs. Step 2: 14.757.4 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 40,000 miFuel Filter (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 2020 Lincoln MKZ closes the federal record at the lowest ebb of the model’s documented lifecycle, recording just 2 complaints, 1 recall, and 0 investigations compared with the 2008 complaint peak of 281 and the elevated recall and TSB counts of the mid-generation years. Against its immediate predecessor, the 2020 model improved on the 2019 tally of 17 complaints and 127 TSBs, dropping to 2 complaints and 82 TSBs while matching the prior year’s single recall and zero investigations. The two complaints consist of one steering-related report and one listed as unknown or other, with zero crash or fire complaints; the data does not specify root causes. This places the 2020 model at the quietest endpoint of an arc that included early complaint peaks and elevated mid-generation recall and TSB activity. With the second-lowest complaint count in the record, zero investigations, and minimal federal flags overall, the 2020 MKZ stands out as a strong used-car buy.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
82
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2
Owner complaints
0 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 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Unknown Or Other1
Steering1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

25V442000Back Over Prevention:SoftwareReported 27/06/2025

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022… Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 82 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 545892026-02-17Electrical SystemSome 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various…
SSM 543662025-11-11Power TrainSome 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic…
SSM 541162025-08-07Electrical SystemVarious 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a…
24B47 S12025-05-10Unknown Or OtherCERTAIN 2018-2024 MODEL YEAR VARIOUS VEHICLES — UPDATE SYNC SOFTWARE
24B47 S12024-12-03Unknown Or OtherCertain 2018 - 2024 Model Year Various Vehicles Update SYNC Software

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 2020 MKZ take?

5.7 qt of SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil, per the factory manual.

Does the 2020 MKZ have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.