Letter From Lincoln About Flex Plate on 2020 MKZ

Not a recall letter. It reads more like an extension on the warranty covering only the flex plate and attached components. I once owned a 2012 Ford Focus with the infamous dual clutch transmission problem and received a letter something like this for that problem. To Ford's credit they stepped up to the plate (no pun intended) for that and it seems they are doing the same for this. However, after the Focus fiasco I said I would never own another FoMoCo product. This is my wife's car and I could not talk her out of it. If we ever suffer this problem I will let her take care of it.

Transmissions have not been Ford`s, or other manufacturers, strong point lately, at least to me. While I understand the need for better fuel economy, but the 8, 10 speed auto and CVTs from most have had their issues. My 2020 Edge is always acting like it's searching for the right gear in constant under 35 mph steady driving, I hate it, doesn't bother wife so all is well in the world.
Give me my C4 or C6 tranny back and I'll be happy. Hopefully you'll never have an issue.

I am thinking the cracked flex plate on the MKZ may not be very common, yet. I also belong to the Lincoln MKZ Enthusiast page on FB. I can't find any mention of this letter there. Time will tell.

I currently drive a 2015 GMC Canyon with a 6 speed automatic. I am familiar with the feeling of transmission searching for the right gear. Mine was at about 40 - 45 mph and light throttle. Put it in trailer tow mode and the problem went away. 2016 and later have 8 speed automatics and suffer the same problem. At 70K miles I took it in for the 75K service that included a transmission fluid flush. The new specified fluid and a program update for the TCM fixed that problem.

I think Ford eventually found the solution for the Focus DCT transmission. The part about the transmission that really pissed me off was that Ford knew it was defective before they built the first car. Rather than delay production they just built them and pushed the problem down to the dealers and customers.

KSKS said:

Car is a 2020 MKZ 2 liter turbo. Has anyone else received a letter from Lincoln about the flex plate cracking? So far the car is not exhibiting any of the symptoms mentioned in the letter. I am just wondering how common is this problem and what was your first symptom. Ken

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Yes I have a 2019 and right after I received letter a noise like they described started. Long story short dealer had car for a month but now seems ok

KSKS said:

Car is a 2020 MKZ 2 liter turbo.

Has anyone else received a letter from Lincoln about the flex plate cracking? So far the car is not exhibiting any of the symptoms mentioned in the letter. I am just wondering how common is this problem and what was your first symptom.

Ken

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I just purchased a 2019 MKZ with 14,500 miles. On day two of ownership I started to here a rattling in the engine compartment. I first thought it was related to the air conditioning unit but then I began to think the sound was the same as the flywheel issue I had on a 2013 Jetta. Sure enough the dealership confirmed the cracked flywheel. It was then I was told of the known issue of the Lincoln flywheel recall. I asked them why nobody mentioned the recall when I bought the car, in fact they said there were no recall issues. The good news is the warranty covers the cost of replacement, but I wonder what the genesis of the problem might be and could it happen again. Good luck!