2006 Lincoln Zephyr

Do not drive

Owners filed 229 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
82,000 milesMedian miles at failure

91 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags141
7011
Wheels23
101
Service Brakes9
000
Electrical System7
000
Structure › Body6
100
Unknown or Other5
000
Power Train5
000
Engine5
010
Tires4
000
Structure4
000

5 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module19V904000
Filed Dec 18, 2019600,166 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not close properly.

Risk. If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the HCU will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition, replacing the HCU as necessary. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S54.

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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module16V384000Do not drive
Filed May 31, 20161,892,343 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang 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 model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang 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." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, 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. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. 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.

Equipment14E028000
Filed May 29, 201482,579 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain all weather driver side accessory floor mats sold for use in model year 2006-2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, and 2007-2011 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 9, 2007, through October 31, 2010. The affected floor mats may move and possibly interfere with the accelerator pedal.

Risk. The floor mat could shift such that it could interfere with the accelerator pedal, preventing its return to an idle position, which could result in unintended vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement mats, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S07. NOTE: Vehicles built after October 31, 2010, while potentially equipped with the same floor mats, are equipped with a Brake Over Accelerator (BOA) feature that prevents simultaneous accelerator and brake application, allowing the vehicle to be safely stopped by pressing firmly and steadily on the brake pedal.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Aug 20, 2024IN

I tool my car in for a recall, they said they could not fix the recall cux it was too rusted. They said the wouldn't even put it on a lift cuz of the rust, however it was just on a lift a week ago at an auto shop. Also when I dropped off my car the air conditioner blower worked, I go to pick it up and turn it on and nothing, I call and ask and they tell me they only touched the steering wheel, I said to him then why was power cux to my vehicle? You didn't disconnect the battery or anything he said no, however when I left the car with then it was on 9.83 fm radio and when I got it back it was on a 500 station from am radio. So I know power was cut somehow. I need to know what to do. I can't keep driving with my brakes like this.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 8, 2023MA

The airbag sensor light is indicating a sensor needs replacement. I have replaced airbags on both the driver and passenger side due to recall. Diagnostics state it is the sensor, passenger side. I have attempted to have repaired, and after 5 weeks and 4 mechanics, no one can seem to get the new sensor to connect to the system and work properly. I did not have a vehicle for weeks! PLEASE HELP!

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 7, 2022TX

The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 5, 202275,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph and making a turn, an unknown truck crashed head-on into the vehicle. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to be driven after the crash. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to his tongue and neck but medical attention was not provided. There were no reported fire or air bag deployments. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted.The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 ( Air bags) after the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 19, 2022OH

The contact owned a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list as he no longer owns the vehicle. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 17, 2022CA

UNKNOWN

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 21, 202138,000 milesMD

The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the brake caliper needing to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that unless the caliper was fixed, the recall repair would not be performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure but provided no further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 22, 2021AR

On May 17, 2021 I was involved in a wreck which the airbags did not deploy after impact. There is a police report and an insurance claim pending on the wreck.

Service Brakes
Filed May 4, 2021126,763 milesIN

ON APRIL 21, 2021 I TOOK MY CAR TO BOB THOMAS LINCOLN, 310 W COLISEUM BLVD, FORT WAYNE, INDIANA 46805 PHONE (260) 482-9876 INVOICE# 687347 FOR NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 19V-904 WHICH CALLS FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO BE PRESSURE FLUSHED WITH DOT 4 BRAKE FLUID, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AS WHEN WE GOT THE CAR BACK THE BRAKE SYSTEM RESERVOIR WAS OVER FILLED AND THE BRAKE FLUID WAS VERY RUST COLORED WITH NUMEROUS BLACK PARTICLES SUSPENDED IN THE FLUID NOT THE CLEAR OR TRANSLUCENT FLUID THAT WOULD INDICATE THE FLUID HAD BEEN PRESSURE FLUSHED, I CALLED BOB THOMAS LINCOLN AND GOT THE BIG RUN AROUND.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Apr 23, 2021144,250 milesWA

DASHBOARD ON VEHICLE IS WARPED DEFROSTER VENT IS OUT WINDSHIELD DOES NOT DEFROST PROPERLY OBSTRUCTS VISION WHILE DRIVING

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 16, 2021WI

MANUFAC RECALL #19S54 NHTA RECCALL #19V904 MASTER CYLINDER VALVE. MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET AND FIRST INFORMATION WAS THAT IT WAS EXPECTED TO BE DONE IN LATE 2020 NOW 3RD MONTH IN2021. WHAT IS THE TIME FRAME FOR REPAIRS AT THIS DATE. IS THERE PROGRESS BEING MADE? AT THIS TIME BRAKES ARE WORKING OK

Air Bags
Filed Mar 16, 2021WI

I HAVE AN EMAIL SAYING MY CAR HAS A POSSIBLE DRIVER AIR BAG DEFECT.GIVE MORE INFORMATION PLEASE

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 4, 2021MO

I CAME TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF A GROCERY STOREAND APPLIED THE BRAKE BEFORE TURNING THE CAR OFF. THE NEXT THING I K NEW THE CAR WAS HEADED TOWARD WALL. THE CAR HIT THE WALL B WITH FORCE THAT EMPLOYED MY AIR BAG.AND DAMAGED THE FRONT OF MY CAR. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY INCIDENT I HAVE HAD WITH THE BRAKES . I ALWAYS TRY TO DRIVE A CAR LENGTH FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME FOR FEAR OF THE BRAKES MALFUNCTING....

Air Bags
Filed Feb 1, 2021MO

I HAVE AN AIRBAG LIGHT THAT COMES ON IN THIS CAR, THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE EXTENDED COVERAGE FROM WHEN THEY REPLACED IT THE FIRST TIME UNDER WARRANTY FOR 1ST RECALL, DEALER TRYING TO SAY I MIGHT HAVE TO PAY TO DIAG IT BECAUSE IT COULD BE UNRELATED, BUT ALSO I JUST READ AN ARTICLE DATED 1/22/2021 STATING THERE IS ANOTHER AIRBAG RECALL FOR 2006 ZEPYHR BUT MY VIN ISNT SHOWING UP. HTTPS://WWW.CARANDDRIVER.COM/NEWS/A35283747/FORD-AIRBAG-RECALL-3-MILLION/

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 31, 202182,000 milesNY

THE CAR HAS 82,000 MILES ON IT. THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR SEEMS TO BE ACTING UP. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON THE NET, IT APPEARS THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE 04 WITH FORDS. IN ADDITION, THEY ARE ON THE 3RD GENERATION SENSOR. I WAS DRIVING NORMAL SPEEDS, THEN THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, KILLING THE POWER TO THE ENGINE, PUT ME IN A PRECARIOUS SITUATION ON A 45 50 MILE AN HR ROAD. SINCE THIS KNOWN ISSUE SINCE 04, SEEMS LIKE FORD SHOULD REPLACE THIS. IT'S A 20 DOLLAR PART, RETAIL, BUT WITH THIS MOTOR, YOU HAVE TO BUY A TOTALLY REBUILT THROTTLE BODY FOR 200+. IT IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT CAN SLOW THE CAR RIGHT DOWN AS YOU ARE DRIVING. IF YOU SHUT THE MOTOR OFF, IT 'REPAIRS' ITSELF AND WORKS NORMALLY.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 21, 2020144,235 milesME

THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME. WHEN YOU TAKE OFF THE CAR IS GUTLESS NO POWER. UNTIL YOU HIT TRACTION CONTROL OFF. SOMETIMES DOES IT AFTER. BIT. SOMEONE ALMOST HIT ME PULLING OUT FROM THE GAS STATION LAST NIGHT AGAIN, DUE TO NO POWER! IT ALSO MESSES WITH THE SHIFTING DUE TO THE TRACTION CONTROL IVE PUT EVERYTHING INTO MY CAR. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT IT CAN MESS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE THROWING OFF THE TIMING. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED, IVE SEEN MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE EXACT SAMETHING. THEN THERE'S THE BRAKES WHICH ARE NEW BUT YET THE PEDAL HAS TO BE PUSHED ALMOST TO THE FLOOR TO COME TO COMPLETE STOP.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 20, 2020CO

RECIEVED RECALL NOTICE IN JANUARY 2020 INDICATING PARTS AVAILABILITY BY THE END OF FIRST QUARTER. STILL WAITING, DEALER IS STONE WALLING INFORMATION. COMPLAINT #111321247 FILED AND STILL NO CONTACT FROM LINCOLN OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. WHEN ABS OPERATES, BRAKING IS ALMOST NON EXISTENT AND TAKES SEVERAL DAYS FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL TO COME BACK TO NORMAL. BRAKING DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE NORMAL!!! STOPPING ON SNOW.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 2, 2020KY

I HAVEN'T BEING ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR SINCE 2017 I HAVE 3 DIFFERENT RECALLS ON MY CAR & I FEAR FOR MY LIFE BECAUSE I HAVE A TODDLER NO BUYOUT CHECK OR RENTER CAR HAVE BEING PROVIDED FOR US BY FORD 3 ALMOST 4 YEARS LATER I JUST WANT MY BUYOUT CHECK IT CAN'T WAIT ON FORD TO FIX MY PROBLEM ANY LONGER MY RENTER I DID HAVE WAS REPORTED STOLEN BECAUSE FORD WOULD NO LONGER PAY WHICH IS PUTTING ME IN THE HOLE OF 12000 DOLLARS I DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY PLUS COURT FEES & FINES FOR A CAR THAT I DON'T WANT IN THE FIRST PLACE I'M AM NOW ASKING FOR 100,000 DOLLARS OR MORE FOR MY TIMES & TROUBLE PROBLEM & PAIN THIS HAS CAUSED ON MY LIFE I'M CAR LESS MONEY LESS & EVERYTHING WAITING ON FORD TO RESPOND PLEASE HELP MY CAR BEING SITTING FOR SO LONG IT DON'T EVEN WANNA START NOW I LOVE FORD BUT DO FORD LOVE ME...

Air Bags
Filed May 27, 2020162,246 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOE MACHENS FORD LOCATED AT 1911 W WORLEY ST, COLUMBIA, MO 65203, (573) 445-4411, WHERE THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V001000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,426.

Service Brakes
Filed May 4, 2020MI

THERE'S BEEN A RECALL ON THE VALVE THAT OPERATES THE BREAKS FORD SAYS IT'S UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND CAN'T GIVE ME AN ANSWER WHEN THESE PARTS WILL BE IN. NOW I SIT HERE WITH A CAR I CANNOT DRIVE.

20 of 229 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20120300Do not drive
20111300Do not drive
20100400Do not drive
20090400Do not drive
20087400Do not drive
20073400Do not drive
2006 — this page229510Do not drive
20031000Routine

Compare every Zephyr 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.