LINCOLN MKS · model year

2009 LINCOLN MKS

70 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009LINCOLNMKS carries 70 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 MKS is service brakes, hydraulic with 11 filings, followed by service brakes (9) and air bags (8). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2009 MKS, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

70
Complaints
5
Crashes
1
Fires
5
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

70 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC11
SERVICE BRAKES9
AIR BAGS8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
ENGINE4
SEATS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
EQUIPMENT2
STEERING2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
POWER TRAIN2
SUSPENSION2
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1

Recalls (1)

16V24700026/04/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high spe

Recent Complaints

20241208SERVICE BRAKES

The brakes keep failing on my 09 Lincoln mks. It has happen 4 times. Each time 4 different shops said the brake booster, abs system or master cylinder is bad. Have replaced each time and it will last 6 months and it the brakes will go bad again. A few times I was in traffic and couldn’t stop until the last minute luckily I haven’t ran into anyone yet . That’s a very scary situation. Yes I have took to a dealer and independent service centers. No it haven’t been inspected by manufacture no more than the dealership I got it from. No warnings or anything other than the brake paddle going all the way to then floor. I’ve also had problems with the sway bar. They have been replaced twice. I have been on many forums and even people I have ran into say their Lincoln is doing the same exact thing. Please we need answers

20241208SUSPENSION

The brakes keep failing on my 09 Lincoln mks. It has happen 4 times. Each time 4 different shops said the brake booster, abs system or master cylinder is bad. Have replaced each time and it will last 6 months and it the brakes will go bad again. A few times I was in traffic and couldn’t stop until the last minute luckily I haven’t ran into anyone yet . That’s a very scary situation. Yes I have took to a dealer and independent service centers. No it haven’t been inspected by manufacture no more than the dealership I got it from. No warnings or anything other than the brake paddle going all the way to then floor. I’ve also had problems with the sway bar. They have been replaced twice. I have been on many forums and even people I have ran into say their Lincoln is doing the same exact thing. Please we need answers

20230118ENGINE

Water pump failure.

20201106ENGINE

AS I WAS DRVING THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING OR NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE MOTOR WAS BLOWN AT 86,000 MILES AFTER BUYING IT AT 66,000 MILES FROM LEXUS OF LINCOLN. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THEY COLD NOT DO ANYTHING AND NOW BEING STUCK WITH A $6000 LOAN ON A VEHICLE THAT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO DRIVE.

Mileage: 86,400

20200218CrashFireAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED HIS WIFE THE DRIVER WAS AT A STOPPED SIGN AND WHILE PRECEDING INTO THE INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND WITHIN A FEW SECONDS A FIRE WAS STARTED. HOWEVER, THE FLAMES EXTINGUISHED THEMSELVES AND THE VEHICLE CABIN WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS WIFE'S RIGHT SIDE COAT SLEEVE WAS ON FIRE AND SHE WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HIS WIFE PATTED THE COAT SLEEVE TO EXTINGUISH THE COAT FLAMES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FIRE WAS STARTED DUE TO THE AIR BAGS GASES AS THE AIR BAGS EXPLODED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OR POLICE WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WENT TO URGENT CARE FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT DUE TO SHOULDER PAIN AND THE INJURIES TO HER WRIST FROM THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC STATED THAT

Mileage: 124,000

20200116ENGINE

I GOT IN MY VEHICLE 1 MORNING AND NOTICED KNOCKING ONCE I STARTED IT. A VERY LIGHT KNOCK. I IMMEDIATELY KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I CHECKED AND CHANGED MY OIL. THE OIL WAS MILKY AND I SUSPECTED THAT COOLANT WAS BEING MIXED WITH OIL. I HAVE ALWAYS GOT MY OIL CHANGED WHEN REQUIRED. MY CAR HAS NEVER RAN HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY HOME DRIVEWAY. PRIOR TO HEARING THE KNOCKING MY VEHICLE WAS FINE.

Mileage: 150,000

20190917AIR BAGS

STEERING WHEEL WONT ADJUST AND WILL NOT MOVE AND THERE IS A LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHEN YOU START VEHICLE.

Mileage: 73,000

20190917STEERING

STEERING WHEEL WONT ADJUST AND WILL NOT MOVE AND THERE IS A LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHEN YOU START VEHICLE.

Mileage: 73,000

20190429AIR BAGS

I SEE LINCOLN MKZ HAVE RECALLS ON SEAT BELT TENSIONER. WELL MY LINCOLN MKS HAS A SEAT BELT TENSIONER THAT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. HAVE YOU HAD ANYONE COMPLAIN ABOUT LINCOLN MKS FOR THAT PROBLEM.

Mileage: 120,000

20190423UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FAULTY DOOR LOCKS : THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOB ON MKS MODEL IN WEATHER TEMPERATURES ABOVE 70 DEGREES AND IT POSES A SAFETY HAZARD IF CHILDREN ARE IN THE CAR. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE CAR USING THE FOB OR KEYLESS ENTRY THE FEEDBACK IS A RAPID UNLOCK/RE-LOCK, SIMILAR TO A JACKHAMMER. THE VEHICLE IS IN STATIONARY MODE IN PARKED .

20181107POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LINCOLN MKS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER MOVED FROM AUTO TO AUTO/MANUAL MODE INDEPENDENTLY. WOLTZ & WIND FORD (LOCATED AT 2100 WASHINGTON PIKE, CARNEGIE, PA 15106, (866) 384-2889) WAS CONTACTED AND A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *TT*JB

Mileage: 90,000

20180717SERVICE BRAKES

BREAKS ON LONDON MKS 2009, THE BREAKS ON THIS CAR CONTINUER TO HAVE PROBLEMS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MULTIPLE SHOPS AND NO-ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, BREAKS, ROTOR, CHECKED BREAK LINE AND THEY ARE ALL GOOD AND CONTINUE TO GREASE THE CALIPER PINS. BREAKS GO TO FLOOR WHEN TRYING TO STOP, REPLACE THE BREAKS AND ROTORS WAY TO OFTEN.

Mileage: 150,000

20180620ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

REAR DRIVER SIDE SUSPENSIN COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. ALSO ON THE ELECTRICAL END, THE POWER LOCKS RATTLE TO THE OPEN & CLOSE POSITION CONSTANTLY ON DRIVERS SIDE & REAR PASSENGER SIDE .

Mileage: 112,938

20180620SUSPENSION

REAR DRIVER SIDE SUSPENSIN COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. ALSO ON THE ELECTRICAL END, THE POWER LOCKS RATTLE TO THE OPEN & CLOSE POSITION CONSTANTLY ON DRIVERS SIDE & REAR PASSENGER SIDE .

Mileage: 112,938

20180228STRUCTURE:BODY

FROM DAY ONE MY SUNROOF HAS LEAKED ON PASSENGER SIDE AFTER RAINING, I HAVE UNCLOGGED THE (2) DRAINS AT THE SUNROOF........DOORS HOLD WATER FROM DAY ONE......WHAT IS GOING ON HERE???

Mileage: 53,000

20180228UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FROM DAY ONE MY SUNROOF HAS LEAKED ON PASSENGER SIDE AFTER RAINING, I HAVE UNCLOGGED THE (2) DRAINS AT THE SUNROOF........DOORS HOLD WATER FROM DAY ONE......WHAT IS GOING ON HERE???

Mileage: 53,000

20180222AIR BAGS

IN 2016 WE WERE NOTIFIED OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. LINCOLN CANNOT SUPPLY ME A FIX BY DATE. I RECEIVED ANOTHER NOTICE SAYING IT IS NOT SAFE FOR ANYONE CANNOT SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. SINCE MY WIFE SUFFERS FROM VERTIGO WE CANNOT MAKE ANY LONG TRIPS. AS A SIDE NOTE I OWN A 2005 DATKOTA PICKUP AND BOTH TAKATA AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED.

20180123UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE TELESCOPING FEATURE OF THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A GEAR INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN THAT IS KNOWN TO FAIL IN THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY CONCERNS IF THE STEERING WHEELS NEEDS TO BE RAISED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. THE FAILURE OF THE TELESCOPING GEAR PREVENTS THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE MOVED UP OR DOWN.

Mileage: 124,000

20170822POWER TRAIN

TSS/OSS FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. I CONTINUED TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLES RPM'S INCREASED, BUT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. THEN THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED INTO GEAR AND MADE THE VEHICLE JERK. THE ENGINE LIGHT, A SERVICE ADVANCED TRAC MESSAGE APPEARED, AND THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD THE VEHICLE CONNECTED TO A COMPUTER AND GAVE THE P7020 AND P0722 FAULT CODE.

Mileage: 114,000

20170822VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TSS/OSS FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. I CONTINUED TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLES RPM'S INCREASED, BUT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. THEN THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED INTO GEAR AND MADE THE VEHICLE JERK. THE ENGINE LIGHT, A SERVICE ADVANCED TRAC MESSAGE APPEARED, AND THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD THE VEHICLE CONNECTED TO A COMPUTER AND GAVE THE P7020 AND P0722 FAULT CODE.

Mileage: 114,000

Compare 2009LINCOLNMKS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 LINCOLN MKS have?
The 2009 LINCOLN MKS has 70 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 LINCOLN MKS?
Yes, the 2009 LINCOLN MKS has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 LINCOLN MKS?
The most-complained component for the 2009 LINCOLN MKS is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2009 LINCOLN MKS safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.