2012 Lincoln MKZ

Do not drive

Owners filed 146 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the airbags. It has been recalled 6 times.

Not among the Lincoln MKZ years to avoid. Which Lincoln MKZ years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
54,000 milesMedian miles at failure

74 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 50,000–60,000 miles.

Most common 2012 Lincoln MKZ problems

68 of the 146 complaints (47%) are about the airbags.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags · airbags68
404
Unknown or Other16
111
Service Brakes · brakes16
100
Steering15
202
Structure › Body · body and frame9
010
Exterior Lighting · headlights3
000
Engine3
000
Electrical System3
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · brakes2
000

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module21V158000
Filed Mar 10, 20212,602,668 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module21E013000
Filed Feb 16, 2021249 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module19V001000Do not drive
Filed Jan 7, 2019782,384 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module18V775000
Filed Nov 1, 2018215 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ vehicles that previously received a replacement passenger air bag under recall 16V-384, 17V-024 or 18V-046. In the event of a crash requiring deployment of the passenger air bag, the bracket that secures the air bag inflator to the module housing may deform, allowing the gas that inflates the air bag to leak out.

Risk. If the air bag does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S34.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module17V024000Do not drive
Filed Jan 10, 2017654,695 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

Steering › Electric Power Assist System15V340000
Filed Jun 2, 2015393,623 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.

Risk. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.

All 6 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed Nov 6, 2025135,000 milesNY

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to steer in either direction. No warning light was illuminated. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had progressed over time. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it remained for further investigation; however, the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

Steering
Filed Jun 15, 2025TN

My car has lost powering steering three times now. I have replaced the rack and pinion module twice and I’m fixing to a third time. This has happened all within the last 3.5 years

Electrical System
Filed May 3, 2024CA

I became the owner of a 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid in 2016. At first there was no issues. Roughly a couple of months later, there was a power steering issue- so the car was driven to Ford with great difficulty where they reset the sensor or something and the power steering was working again. Now a couple of years later, the problem occurred again. The power steering chime came on, the car read “service advancetrac” in yellow and “power steering assist fault” in read, accompanied by the wheel stiffening. I pulled over turned the car off and back on, and the problem went away. It occurred several more times and turning the car off and back on remedied the problem. It would only occur every couple of months, but more recently it started happening every couple of weeks and now- the last ten days it has happened every time I drive. Each of those times, with the exception of the most recent occurrence, turning the car off and letting it sit for a couple of minutes, followed by turning it back on, solved the problem. The most recent time, I was traveling on the highway going 60 mph when the messages appeared and my wheel stiffened. It terrified me as I was moving fast on a Southern California highway where there are hundreds of cars. I was on my way to take a final exam, that I could not miss, so I kept driving. Steering was near impossible at low speeds. I went in to take my final and three hours later, when I turned the car back on, the power steering still was not working. After hou

Steering
Filed Apr 5, 2024TX

Power steering control module stop working. Ford is aware of this issue and refusing to classify it as a recall. Vehicle inoperable at 83k miles.

Steering
Filed Jan 30, 2024OH

While driving I noticed that at times my steering wheel would be difficult to turn. At first, the problem seemed small until I was trying to make a left turn on a very busy 4-lane road, and without warning the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. I narrowly avoided being hit and ever since then, the steering has not been the same. I sought help at my nearest Ford dealership and after they inspected the car they determined that there was a problem with the steering assist and possibly the rack and pinion. We then discovered that the very same parts were recalled in 2011 for the same make and model car. I was never notified of any recalls and I asked why I was never contacted. The Ford dealership did not know why. According to them the vehicles that were recalled were vehicles that were made at the same facility as mine. They pointed out that normally my car would have been included in the recall and they did not know why I was excluded. I have attached the documentation they provided me proving that my car was built in a factory that had other cars recalled for the same reason. Currently, they are telling me that they cannot honor this recall because my car is not in the system as one that should be included in this recall. Due to the near misses that I have had I believe that this is a serious safety issue and should not be something that I pay over 2000 dollars to repair. Especially since all the other vehicles that had the same problem were recalled and repaired fo

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 17, 2024138,000 milesMI

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he observed abnormal soft feedback from the brake pedal and that the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard before bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a possible brake fluid leak with the brake master cylinder or hydraulic control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 138,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 17, 2024MN

My brakes stopped working with no warning while driving. All of the brake related lights came on and the pedal went to the floor and I was unable to stop the car. This is a safety issue for the driver and everyone else because there seems to be no warning that the brakes will stop working. I brought the vehicle into a repair shop and they could not find anything wrong with the brakes, however there are multiple reports on this website of the very same issue that I dealt with. When attempting to report this to the ford/lincoln manufacturing, they stated that their system was down and they had no way of taking a report. This is very dangerous and needs to be addressed.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 13, 2023CT

I cannot open the front drivers side door from the inside... it is as if the latch became disconnected

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 12, 2023IL

I was driving and all of a sudden break light came on service break system came on all at one time I never had a problem with this never got a warning before hand , I couldn’t stop the car, break pedal literally on the floor, almost hit 2 cars trying to stop the vehicle, I have brand new break pads, break fluid was checked, had to get the car towed back home because its no longer drivable

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 26, 2023NY

Breaks suddenly stopped working. Lights on dash including ABS came on. Car would not stop until pedal pressed almost to floor. Almost as quickly it started working again and our mechanic can not reproduce it. There a number (17) of other complaints describing the problem with more drama. (See [XXX] for one) Incident happened three times, twice going forward and once backing up. Please recall this quickly before someone is killed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 19, 2023NJ

There have been several occasions now where I go to brake and there is no brake! My foot goes all the way down to the floor. This can happen at a steady speak of 50 or at 10 miles an hour. It is very scary and very dangerous. I have had to use my emergency brake to stop the car. I have had my brakes changed and "bled" several times. I am concerned this is going to cause a catastrophic accident. In researching this issue, I have seen that this is a common issue with the Lincoln MKZ. In fact prior years have already had a recall. Please, remedy this issue.

Unknown or OtherFire
Filed Jun 6, 2023CA

On August 30, 2022, upon traveling home from Palm Springs airport, I stopped at a restaurant in Morongo Valley. As I was eating, someone said that a car was on fire under the hood. The fire department jawed up the hood and put the fire out under the hood. The police and the fire department were called and present to file a report. I had it towed to my house. I believe that this a safety issue.

Steering
Filed Nov 16, 2022TX

After getting an oil change and battery software update, I headed home. Before arriving home the warning light to service Power steering and traction control came on. Returned to dealer, they said the power steering needed to be calibrated. Left and before making it home power steering stopped working and warning lights returned. Dealer has stated the power steering gear needs to be replaced but because the milage is 224,000 and the car is over 10 years old Ford will not extend the warranty and it will cost $2,500 to repair.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 7, 2022MA

Took the car to the dealer to have the driver airbag inflator replaced when it says here there are no parts available yet the dealer fixed something? The dashboard airbag light never went out!!

Air Bags
Filed Aug 6, 2022VA

I was notified April 2021, that my vehicle had an airbag safety recall repair. To date, I have not been notified to bring my vehicle in for the repair to be performed. The parts were to be in the third quarter of 2021, I have been patient. But, this recall addresses the driver side airbag. I am concerned that if it explodes, I could be seriously hurt. Please advise me. What is my next step.

Seat Belts
Filed Apr 12, 2022NJ

The middle rear seat belt became stuck around my child and could not be removed. It progressively became tighter and tighter as we tried to unbuckle it. Ultimately the seatbelt needed to be cut off

Air Bags
Filed Dec 20, 2021TX

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 29, 2021IN

While traveling at approximately 22 mph I entered a roundabout when the steering wheel pulled out of my hand and the car was no longer turning, but going straight towards another car that was waiting to enter the roundabout. The car no longer had power steering but I was able to steer past the waiting vehicle and into a curb where I stopped the vehicle off the road. There was no warning prior to the incident, with the traction control warning light coming on at the same time the power steering stopped working. The vehicle has been diagnosed by a reputable independent shop with a faulty steering gear at a cost of approximately $2,200 to repair. This is the same problem that has been addressed by recall 15S18 for the 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, but Ford/Lincoln has refused responsibility for this repair based on date of manufacture of this specific VIN.

Steering
Filed Oct 13, 202165,000 milesRI

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the power steering assist fault message intermittently appeared on the instrument panel. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle resume normal operation. Recently, the contact stated that the traction control and the power steering warning lights would illuminate at start-up and remained illuminated despite the engine restart. The contact also mentioned that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle while driving at various speeds. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer and he was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 20, 2021GA

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE OF CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY FACTOR IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. NOT ABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE - HAD TO ROLL WINDOW DOWN AND OPEN FROM HANDLE ON OUTSIDE OF CAR. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. Note There is at least one other report of this happening on your web site and YouTube has several videos of others having this problem and how to replace the handle when this happens

Unknown or OtherCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 30, 202172,000 milesIN

The contact owned a 2012 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while entering a gated garage, when lifting his foot from the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into a parked vehicle and continued to accelerate and pushed the first vehicle into two additional vehicles. The contact stated he depressed the brake pedal but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact stated he was not aware if any warning lights were illuminated. The front driver air bag did deploy. The contact stated he sustained a cut on his left hand from the seat belt but did not seek medical attention for the cut. An ambulance did come to the location and verified he did not have any other injuries. A police report was filed. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot first and then the insurance towed to an unknown location. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure in letter form. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Aug 18, 2021FL

Front drivers side door, unable to open door from inside the vehicle. Very hard or impossible for older drivers to cross over the console to exit in the case of a fire or crash.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 18, 2021FL

Front passenger side door, unable to lock. All other doors lock fine. Unable to secure car.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 13, 2021CO

Due to the open recall without a known solution, I am unable to ensure the safe use of my vehicle for my family and my business, and have lost income due to this problem.

Service Brakes
Filed May 6, 2021104,000 milesCA

THE ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. ALL SENSORS LIGHT UP AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK. YOU COULD PUSH THE BRAKES TO THE FLOOR. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIUON. THIS IS THE SAME ABS MALFUNCTION THAT HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A FORD RECALLED OF 600, 000 VEHICLES IN THE FUSION,AND MK'S IN THE YEARS THRU 2010 BUT NOT 2011 AND 2012 WHICH YSE THE SAME BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS IS A UNACCEPTABLE AND DANGEROUS.

Engine
Filed Apr 29, 2021136,000 milesSC

WHILE DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH A DING AND THEN RED TRIANGLE APPEARED WITH MESSAGE TO SAFELY STOP, FELT AS IF ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITH NO OTHER WARNING. I HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE AIR BAG REPLACED AND NOW HAVE BEEN INFORMED THE DRIVER SIDE NEEDS TO ALSO BE REPLACED SO THIS IS NOT A GOOD TIME FOR CAR ENGINE TO SHUT OFF IN MIDDLE OF DRIVING. THANKFULLY NOT ON INTERSTATE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME SOMETHING SIMILAR HAPPENED WITH BRAKES AND POWER STEERING LOCKING A FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS. I CAN'T GET APPOINTMENT AT DEALER UNTIL MID MAY BUT WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS LIKE THIS REPORTED. I DO SEE ON A COMPLAINT WEBSITE WHERE IT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY QUITE A FEW PEOPLE SO IT WOULD SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM. I WOULD SAY IF YOU WERE ON INTERSTATE THIS COULD BE CAUSE OF A DEADLY CRASH AND THEN TO HAVE THE AIRBAG RECALL ON TOP OF THIS. I AM AT LEAST HOPING THEY WILL HAVE AN ANSWER TO FIX AS I'M SCHEDULED FOR A ROAD TRIP IN JULY, BUT I WOULD NEVER DRIVE THIS CAR AND FEEL SECURE WITH THIS ISSUE NOT BEING RESOLVED. THIS FOR SURE SHOULD COMPLY FOR A RECALL.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 17, 2021128,200 milesSC

MY WIFE AND SON LEFT THE HOUSE IN OUR MKZ AND 1/2 MILE DOWN THE ROAD THE MKZ SUDDENLY LOST BRAKING CAPABILITY. MY WIFE HAD TO STEER UPHILL IN ORDER TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. MULTIPLE LIGHTS ARE NOW DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD INCLUDING "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC", "BRAKE", "ABS", AND "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM". THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY ADVANCE WARNING OF AN ISSUE. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR 2011-2012 MKZ/FUSIONS. THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR 2009 MKZ/FUSIONS FOR THIS ISSUE THAT MIRRORS THIS SCENARIO EXACTLY. THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER 2011 AND 2012 MODELS.

Steering
Filed Feb 8, 2021200,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, AN AUDIBLE CHIME WAS HEARD AFTER WHICH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER FELIX SABATES LINCOLN (7601 SOUTH BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28273, (855) 975-3985) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE RACK AND PINON TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

SteeringCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 6, 202160 milesFL

THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING*DT

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 30, 202160,200 milesCA

IN JANUARY 2021, MY VEHICLE HAD REACHED ABOUT 60,000 MILES. AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND AS I TRIED TO STOP THE CAR DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. I PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HANDLE AND STOPPED THE CAR. HAD THE CAR NOT STOPPED, I PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE AVOIDED GOING INTO THE STREET. I TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK (AFTER YOU START THE CAR, THE ABS LIGHT GOES ON AND THEN THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT GOES ON; THE BRAKES ONLY WORK A LITTLE NEAR THE FLOOR). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND BOTH THE ABS MODULE AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $3200. I NOTICED A RECALL FOR BASICALLY THE SAME THING BUT THE RECALL ONLY WENT UP TO 2010.

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 1, 202154,000 milesGA

THE DRIVER DOOR POPS OPEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I BOUGHT IT 3 YEARS AGO IN MAY. BUT APPARENTLY IT ISN'T A RECALL. I'M ACTUALLY SCARED TO DRIVE IT THE CAR HAD 54,000 MILES AND 59,000 5 THOUSAND MILES IN THREE YEARS. CAN MAX SAID IT WOULD BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE THEY LIED. THIS IS A PROBLEM AND I'VE TALKED TO OTHER MKZ OWNERS WHO SAY THEY FIXED THE CAR AND PAID FOR IT.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 23, 202084,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000. *BF THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL 14M03.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 22, 202084,000 milesAL

AC ON RIGHT SIDE STOPPED WORKING, RIGHT DOOR STOP LOCKING AND LATER THE LEFT DOOR STOPPED LOCKING.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 7, 2020110,980 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING, ALARMS DINGED AND LIGHTS POPPED UP IN MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WERE: BRAKE SYSTEM & PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM (OR BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING?), CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, ABS, ADVANCETRAC, ADVANCETRAC OFF, THROTTLE CONTROL/POWERTRAIN, CHECK ENGINE, AND PRESS RESET TO TURN OFF REAR PARKING ASSIST. PRESSING MY BRAKES REVEALED THAT THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE NOT ALL BARK AND NO BITE; THERE WAS IN FACT SOMETHING GOING ON. THE PEDAL WAS SOFT, TOO EASY TO DEPRESS AT FIRST. THEN IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND INEFFECTIVE. NOT STOPPING AT ALL UNTIL ALL THE WAY DOWN. THIS PREVIOUSLY HAPPENED ON 9/6/2020, BUT RESOLVED AFTER 2 DAYS. THIS CURRENT INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 10/2/2020 AND REMAINS ACTIVE 5 DAYS LATER. THE SERVICE STATION FOUND NO CAUSE PREVIOUSLY. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER LEAVING MY HOME. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20MPH ON A RAINY DAY. THE ALARMS SOUNDED AND LIGHTS CAME ON, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE FOR A STOP SIGN IS WHEN I DISCOVERED THE BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE SECOND INCIDENT THAT IS CONTINUING BEGAN A BIT DIFFERENTLY. THE LIGHTS POPPED UP AND ALARM SOUNDED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A SUNNY, DRY DAY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND POWERTRAIN LIGHT BOTH CAME ON ABOUT 2 DAYS LATER. THEY CAME ON WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 6, 2020113,449 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE SERVICE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SCHUMACHER LINCOLN OF DELRAY (2102 S FEDERAL HWY, DELRAY BEACH, FL 33483 561-454-1800) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,449.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jul 13, 202080,000 milesPA

DOOR LATCH, DRIVER SIDE, RECALL STARTS WITH THE MKZ 2014 AND UP. I HAVE A 2012 MKZ THAT NEEDS THE RECALL. PLEASE LOWER THE YEAR TO INCLUDE THE 2012 AS THE SYMPTOMS AND PROBLEMS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME. MY VEHICLE WILL BE RECEIVING THE AIRBAG RECALL ON FRIDAY. I ASK THAT YOU APPROVE THE LATCH RECALL AS WELL. THANK YOU.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Crash
Filed Jul 6, 202079,814 milesAZ

THE ELECTRONIC STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. I WAS TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR AND RAN INTO MY GARAGE DAMAGING THE RIGHT FRONT OF MY CAR. LOCAL DEALER WITHOUT SEEING THE CAR SAID COST WOULD BE AROUND $1800 TO FIX STEERING AND STABILITRAK. THIS WAS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID.

Service Brakes
Filed May 18, 202033,000 milesAZ

THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR TRACTION CONTROL MALFUNCTION, ABS MALFUNCTION AND BRAKE MALFUNCTION SIMULTANEOUSLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, ALONG WITH WARNING CHIMES, AND THE BRAKES STOPPED FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WITH BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION (PEDAL WAS SOFT, FAR TOO EASY TO DEPRESS, BUT INEFFECTIVE). CAR WAS STEERED INTO A RESIDENTIAL LAWN AND EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE APPLIED TO AVOID A COLLISION. *TR

Steering
Filed May 14, 2020133,950 milesTX

I TURNED ON MY CAR AND RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM IN THE INFORMATION PANEL STATING, " POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". ITS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL. I DRIVE EASY ON MY CAR AND THE ROADS ARE SMOOTH IN MY COMMUTES. *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 5, 202065 milesDE

WHILE DRIVING YELLOW WRENCH SHOWS UP AND SAYS STOP SAFELY. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER. THEY CHARGED ME 180USD TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I PAID 180USD AND AFTER 6 HOURS THEY CONTACTED AND ASKED FOR 300USD EXTRA TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY COULDNOT EVEN FIND THE PROBLEM. I SEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON CARCOMLAINTS.COM. ALMOST EVERYBODY EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS VERY VERY DANGEROUS. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY SPEED SUDDENLY DROPS FROM 65 TO 25 IN SECONDS. THIS IS NOT A GOOD WARNING TO PULL OVER. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Feb 18, 202040,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35- 40 MPH, LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WOODED ELECTRIC POLE, HOWEVER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE, CONTUSIONS ON THE KNEES, SPRAINED ANKLE AND WRIST AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED CONTUSIONS ON THE KNEES AND HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ALEX KARRAS LINCOLN, INC. (6760 14TH ST W, BRADENTON, FL 34207) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AS THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG WAS SERVICED UNDER AN UNKNOWN AIR BAG RECALL IN 2016. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 2, 2020180,000 milesOK

STARTED MY CAR TO LET IT WARM UP, WHEN I RETURNED AND WENT TO LEAVE THE DRIVEWAY IT FLASHED SERVICE STABILITRAC AND SERVICE POWER STEERING. TRIED TO DRIVE IT AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. THERE IS A RECALL ON MANY OF THIS SAME CAR FOR THE SAME REASON BUT NONE FOR MY VIN #.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 12, 2020105,000 milesNC

THE BRAKE SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY AS WELL AS THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC MESSAGE ACROSS THE DASHBOARD AND THE BRAKES DON'T FUNCTION PROPERLY AT THIS TIME PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM STOPPING WHILE DRIVING.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 2, 202040,450 milesNY

DRIVING ON A LOCAL MAJOR ROAD THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK, BRAKES WENT LOW AND CAR WOULD NOT STOP. PUMPING DID NOT HELP. WENT THROUGH 2 LIGHTS. NO ACCIDENT. TOOK CAR TO SERVICE STATION, THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. CAR WORKS FINE NOW BUT I'M WORRIED ABOUT IT HAPPENING AGAIN.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 13, 2019MI

DO NOT OWN

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 22, 201953,500 milesCA

THE ABS MODULE IN MY CAR FAILED ON 11/20/19. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 53,500 MILES AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALER FIVE DAYS PRIOR ON 11/15/19 INCLUDING A MULTI POINT SYSTEM INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT OF THE RECALLED AIR BAGS . NO "WARNING" OR INDICATOR OF A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM WAS IDENTIFIED. WHEN THE ABS MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON I HAD JUST TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND SO PROCEEDED VERY SLOWLY DOWN MY STREET (WHICH HAS A DOWNGRADE) ONLY TO REALIZE I HAD LOST BRAKING POWER AND HAD TO USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE TO FIRMLY / COMPLETELY STOP. I WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO WARNING IN AN ABS MODULE FAILURE AND SO COULD NOT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED FIVE DAYS PRIOR. THE DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR INDICATED HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR IN THE SERVICE BAY WHEN PULLING IT FORWARD AT A LOW SPEED ON A FLAT SERVICE. HAD I BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED OR IN TRAFFIC I AM CONCERNED THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS INJURY OR FATALITY.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 2, 201958,000 milesFL

BRAKE LIGHT LED ASSEMBLY HAS 2 OF 3 ROWS NOT FUNCTIONING; FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY ON 2010 & '11 MODEL YEAR, BUT NOT 2012 FOR THIS FAILURE. SEEMS A DEFECT FAILURE FORD HAS ADMITTED ON EARLIER MODEL YEARS, BUT DOES NOT WANT TO ADMIT IT ALSO HAPPENS ON THIS MODEL YEAR. GUESS THEY ARE USING LEFT OVER PARTS'. LOTS OF PICTURES OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB / INTERNET. PASSENGER / RIGHT SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 1, 201983,500 milesMI

PORTION OF LED TAIL-LIGHTS ARE OUT. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN COVERED ON 2010'S AND 2011'S HOWEVER MY 2012 IS NOT COVERED EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE IDENTICAL VEHICLES WITH IDENTICAL PART NUMBERS

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 28, 2019116,200 milesVA

TWO WEEKS AGO I GOT IN MY CAR AND DROVE DOWN TO THE INTERSECTION AT THE END OF MY STREET. WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL, NOTHING HAPPENED OTHER THAN THE SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF THREE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS ABOUT BRAKE FAILURE. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND CONTINUED INTO THE INTERSECTION. BEFORE CALAMITY STRUCK, I MANAGED TO PULL UP THE PARKING BRAKE AND TURN THE CAR INTO THE CURB, STOPPING IT.

Power Train
Filed Oct 11, 201969,000 milesVA

AT 69,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2012 LINCOLN MKZ FAILED DUE TO DEFECTS IN MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP, ACCORDING TO MY LINCOLN/FORD DEALER. WHEN ACCELERATING INTO OVERDRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHUDDER AND EXPERIENCE SHIFTING PROBLEMS, USUALLY AROUND 40 MPH. THE SHIFTING ISSUE OCCURRED WHETHER DRIVING ON CITY STREETS OR ON THE HIGHWAY. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALER DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR DUE AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF METAL SHAVINGS LEFT BEHIND IN THE MANUFACTURING AND ASSEMBLY PROCESSES. THE UNREMOVED SHAVINGS HAD ACTED AS AN ABRASIVE CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR ON TRANSMISSION'S COMPONENTS. THIS CONDITION RESULTED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE ONLY REMEDY--REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE REPAIR WAS DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP BUT SINCE THE POWERTRAIN WAS OUT OF WARRANTY I HAD TO BEAR THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR. THIS DEFECT IS VERY SERIOUS BECAUSE THE POWERTRAIN COULD MALFUNCTION AT ANY TIME AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH.

Complaints 1-50 of 146, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20202100Routine
201921100Routine
201836200Routine
2017141440Routine
201664700Routine
2015841100Routine
2014971400Routine
20131091320Routine
2012 — this page146620Do not drive
2011145730Do not drive
2010170900Do not drive
2009114700Do not drive
2008281500Do not drive
2007259532Do not drive
20060400Do not drive

Compare every MKZ year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 10, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.