MKZ (1st)
Data covers 3 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
3.5-V6-Gas
3.5L 6-cyl / 263 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.5-I4-Hybrid
2.5L 4-cyl / 191 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Lincoln MKZ Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
2.3-I4-Gas
2.3L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ
That's below the typical rate for hybrids in this dataset (median 7.1 per year). Battery & propulsion complaints are lower than peer average for this category.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 10 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Battery fires, smoke, thermal runaway. Includes any complaint with fire reported.
Regen brake feel, one-pedal driving, B-mode complaints.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Sample complaint excerpts
Electric Propulsion
- [2011] WRENCH APOEARS AND CAR SUDDENLY GOES IN LIMP MODE WHILE DRIVING.
- [2011] WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SEND A FAULT CODE OF SERVICE POWER STEERING AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING HAPPENS IMMEDIATELY. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY FIXED THE ISSUE (REPLACED POWER STEERING MOTOR AND REPROGRAMMED). PICKED UP THE CAR AND WITHIN 16 HOURS AS I WAS MAKING A TURN THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. THERE SE
- [2011] LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE - POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND AFTER 5 TIMES OF TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, AND THEN RESTARTING IT, THE ALERT WOULD GO AWAY AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD BE ACTIVE AGAIN. HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS, HOWEVER IT HAS BEEN A DAILY ISSUE FOR THE LAST WEEK.
Thermal Events
- [2012] FAILURE OF DRIVER'S INSIDE DOOR HANDLE: WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT MY CAR, THE DOOR HANDLE'S MECHANISM SUDDENLY FAILED AND I WAS UNABLE TO EGRESS THE VEHICLE AND I CAME CLOSE TO PANICKING. SO I WAS FORCED TO EXIT VIA THE PASSENGER DOOR WHICH WAS VERY DIFFICULT CLIMBING OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE. AFTER TALKING TO THE LINCOLN ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER AND RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, I QUICKLY LEARNED TH
Regenerative Braking
- [2012] TRAVELING SOUTH ON CT15 IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. TRAFFIC WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND STOPPED SUDDENLY. I APPLIED PRESUURE TO BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP. PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. IT APPEARED THAT MINIMUAL REGENERATIVE BRAKING WAS ENGAGED BUT NO ADDITIONAL FRICTION BRAKING. CAR HAD PLENTY OF DISTANCE IN WHICH TO STOP [ MORE THAN 140 FEET]. CAR SLOWED FOR A TIME BUT WHEN SPEED WAS REDUCED TO ABOUT 10 MP
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2012] APPROXIMATELY MARCH OF 2013. I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON MOULTON BLVD, SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST SPEED AND A RED TRIANGLE SHAPED CAME ON AND STATED "DRIVE TO SIDE OF ROAD SAFELY AND SHUT OFF THE CAR ENGINE" I TOOK IT TO LINCOLN GARAGE AND THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR A WEEK, WAITING FOR DIRECTIONS OF PROCEDURE FROM DETROIT, THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD REPLACED THE HYBRID BATTERY. THE CAR RAN GREAT AGAIN. JUNE 15, 201
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Lincoln MKZ, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ
On a used 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the airbags and driver-assist systems (685), the brakes (226) and the steering (75). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 685 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 226 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ about the brakes.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 75 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ about the steering.
- Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 66 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ about the wheels and tires.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 61 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ about the electrical system.
Recalls (11)
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
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.
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.
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.
Show 6 older recalls
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 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 2010 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles 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 2009 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
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Alternatives in Midsize Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ complaints?
Owners have filed 1,207 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ. The systems they name most often are the safety systems, the brakes and the steering.
Is the 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 1,207 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ have?
NHTSA has 1,207 owner complaints on file for the 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ?
NHTSA lists 11 recalls covering some 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Lincoln MKZ?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the safety systems, the brakes and the steering, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the MKZ?
The 2012 Lincoln MKZ received an overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 3 stars. Side crash: 4 stars. Rollover: 5 stars (9.2% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,207 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.