Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 21, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

169 total

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

Worth reading
12

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

unintended acceleration 4fluid leaks 3
A recent report: I bought this car and it started making a tick sound and when I got it home the drive train was hanging

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11658733 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
13

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 2software faults 2
A recent report: 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…
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

Worth reading
37

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 4 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

loss of braking 26unintended acceleration 3
A recent report: 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…
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

Minor
2

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 1premature wear 1
A recent report: 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…
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

Worth reading
91

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 4 mention a crash, 4 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 6airbags deploying unexpectedly 3
A recent report: 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…
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

Worth reading
6

Most reports here involve other issues. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.

other issues 6
A recent report: 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…
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

Worth reading
8

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 2 mention a crash.

unintended acceleration 2
A recent report: See attached document for complaint.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11728292 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 169 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2026, roughly 11 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.