Recall 15V618 covers 658 2016 Lincoln Mkz and Fusion vehicles for fuel tanks with insufficient wall thickness. Repair is free at any franchised Lincoln dealer.
Lincoln is recalling 658 2016 Mkz and Fusion vehicles because the fuel tank was built with insufficient wall thickness. In a crash, the tank can crack, leak fuel, and increase fire risk; Lincoln dealers will replace the tank free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The fuel tank on the 2016 Lincoln Mkz and Fusion stores gasoline and keeps it contained while the vehicle is driven, parked, and refueled. It also has mounting points and retention clips on top of the tank, including a clip used to hold a wire harness in place. The tank wall has to stay strong enough around those attachment points to hold fuel safely.
On affected vehicles, the tank wall was made too thin in the area where that wire harness retention clip is welded to the top of the tank. Ford traced the problem to an equipment and operator issue during tank manufacturing. If the vehicle is in a crash, that thinner section can crack, allowing fuel to leak from the tank.
Owners can notice a fuel odor or an active fuel leak. Treat either sign as a reason to stop driving and contact a Lincoln dealer for recall guidance.
Who's affected?
Covers the Mkz and Fusion sedans under the same fuel-system component.
| 2016 Lincoln Mkz | fuel system |
|---|---|
| 2016 Ford Fusion | fuel system |
| Units affected | 658 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
A cracked fuel tank can leak fuel and increase the risk of a fire. Treat fuel odor or any visible fuel leak as a reason to stop using the vehicle and contact the dealer for guidance. Repair is free at any franchised Lincoln dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Lincoln Mkz or Fusion is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Lincoln dealer to schedule the free fuel-tank replacement for the tank-wall defect that can lead to a fuel leak after a crash.
- Bring the recall notice if Lincoln has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V618 when you call.
- Drive with added caution until the repair is complete. Avoid fuel odors, visible fuel leaks, and unnecessary trips.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Lincoln technician replaces the fuel tank covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free now because the remedy is available. Repairs already paid out of pocket are handled through the original warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the warranty provides a free repair for this concern. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| September 30, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
| October 1, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 19, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 19, 2015 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| October 19, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V618?
Recall 15V618 covers 658 2016 Lincoln Mkz and Fusion vehicles with fuel tanks that have insufficient wall thickness. In a crash, the tank can crack and leak fuel, increasing fire risk. Lincoln dealers will replace the fuel tank for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Lincoln Mkz or Fusion is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V618. If it is, contact a franchised Lincoln dealer to schedule the fuel tank replacement. Reference recall number 15V618 and Ford recall number 15C11 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy for recall 15V618 is a free fuel tank replacement at a franchised Lincoln dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fuel leakage after a crash. The affected fuel tanks have insufficient wall thickness, so the tank can crack in a crash and leak fuel. Leaking fuel increases the risk of a fire.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2016 Lincoln Mkz or Fusion is included, then call a franchised Lincoln dealer with recall number 15V618.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V618000 |
|---|---|
| Lincoln customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V618 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V618000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →