At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. Confirm by VIN that the repair was completed before driving or buying this car. The fix is free at a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Airbags recall
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.
- Status
- Do not drive until repaired. A dealer fixes this free of charge.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
- Status
- Do not drive until repaired. A dealer fixes this free of charge.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
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.
- Status
- Do not drive until repaired. A dealer fixes this free of charge.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
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 owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Brakes recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Safety recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
12
Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11658733 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
13
Most reports here involve electrical shorts.
Read full complaint
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM GOES OFF WITH NO INDICATION DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER STOPPED OR MOVING. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT BACK ON IS TURN LIGHTS OFF AND TURN BACK ON BUT IT DOES IT REPEATEDLY PER TRIP. DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF THE CAR IS MOVING OR NOT. TOOK TO DEALER APPROX. THREE TIMES BUT COULD NOT FIND REASON FOR PROBLEM. DEALER SUGGESTED TO REPLACE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT COMPONENT AT A COST OF APPROXIMATE $3000. FIRST THE COST IS EXTREMELY HIGH, SECOND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NO ANSWER TO WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. *TR
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11328612 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
37
Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 4 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS and the Traction Control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the ABS had failed and needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed and the contact was advised that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11679199 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
2
Most reports here involve loss of steering.
Read full complaint
ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 15,000 MILES ON IT, THE DEALER REPORTED TO ME THAT A TIRE REPLACEMENT WAS RECOMMENDED THESE WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MICHELIN TIRES..AFTER INSPECTION, MICHELIN AGREED TO REPLACE TIRES FOR A FEE OF $100 PER TIRE.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10726856 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
91
Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 4 mention a crash, 4 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11481725 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
6
Most reports here involve other issues. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR SCREEN WINDOW SHADE WOULD NOT GO BACK DOWN WHEN PROMPTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SCREEN OBSTRUCTED THE REARVIEW VISION OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10949110 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
8
Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 2 mention a crash.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11728292 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 169 complaints on file, more than the 2011 (145). That is the most of the 10 model years of the Lincoln MKZ we cover. Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.