LincolnMKT2015Overview/lincoln/mkt/2015/base/

2015 Lincoln MKT

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

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2015 Lincoln MKT is an SUV that employs a conventional automatic (S6) transmission and carries a 5.7‑quart oil capacity with 5W‑30 viscosity. Its EPA‑rated fuel economy of 16 city, 22 highway and 18 combined mpg highlights the efficiency of its powerplant. In the model’s 2010‑2019 complaint history the 2015 version logged 22 owner complaints and six recalls, placing it between the peak 69 complaints of 2013 and the low 3 of 2017. Consequently, 2015 represents a moderate reliability point in the MKT’s lineage, neither as problematic as its worst year nor as dependable as its best.

Model year201920182017201620152014201320122011

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI NS · 650 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 NS · 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/55R19OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length207.5 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase117.7 in
Curb weight4938 lb
Track (front / rear)65.7 / 65.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 22 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

6.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.10 sec — 2010 EcoBoost Wagon
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2010EcoBoost Wagon 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.10 sec14.60 sec355 hpAWD
2010EcoBoost Wagon 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.10 sec14.60 sec355 hpAWD
2010EcoBoost Wagon 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.10 sec14.70 sec355 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 · 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

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilSAE 80W · SAE 80W
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.43 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity11.3
Engine Coolant Capacity13.6
Engine OilSAE 5W · Synthetic · SAE 5W
Engine Oil Capacity5.7 qt
Engine OilSAE 5W · Synthetic · SAE 5W

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14.7 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsInstall new studs: 12.5 ft/lbs; 2nd step:
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsInstall new studs: 8.8 ft/lbs; 2nd 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

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0
Front Wheel Hub258 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub258 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub258 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub258
Front Wheel Hub258

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 Capacity37-40 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeYN-12-D
Oil Capacity7.44 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity39.0 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

Pressure Test14 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature175-182 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55
Intake Valve Lash0.007-0.012 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.012-0.017 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 53; Rear: 26 /; Front: 53; Rear: 24
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 122; Rear: 111 /
ABS Sensor Torque6.6 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 13; Front: 14; Rear: 13; Rear: 13.5
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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
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) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
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 MKT represents a significant decline in owner complaints compared to the generation's mid-cycle peak, dropping to 22 complaints from 54 in 2014 and 69 in 2013, though remaining above the single-digit levels seen in 2016 through 2019. While complaint volume decreased sharply, recalls remained elevated at six units—exceeding 2014's four and representing the second-highest count in the dataset after 2013's eight—before falling to three in 2016, indicating continued manufacturer-initiated corrections as the model line matured. This positions 2015 at a transitional inflection point where field reports improved substantially but recall exposure persisted, unlike later years that combined low complaints with fewer safety campaigns. The specific complaint profile for 2015 includes seven entries categorized as "Unknown Or Other" and five related to back-over prevention systems, alongside two crash complaints and zero fire incidents. Given the marked reduction in owner-reported issues compared to 2013-2014, the 2015 model offers a more reliable profile than the troubled middle years, provided prospective buyers verify completion of all six recall campaigns.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
62
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
22
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 22 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other7
Back Over Prevention5
Structure3
Structure,Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Steering,Electrical System1
Suspension1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Power Train,Electrical System,Exterior Lighting1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V172000Electrical SystemReported 24/03/2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Lincoln MKT vehicles with a limousine or hearse preparation package, manufactured March 6, 2012, to March 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vacuum pump relay with a new electro-mechanical relay, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact…

16V621000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 25/08/2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 62 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…
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…
SSM 515362023-04-04StructureFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis…

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 MKT. 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 MKT take?

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

Does the 2015 MKT have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the MKT get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.