Total Complaints
196 filings
LINCOLN MKZ · model year
196 NHTSA complaints, 22 crash reports, and 9 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2010LINCOLNMKZ carries 196 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 22 crashes, 0 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 fatalities. 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 2010 MKZ is air bags with 95 filings, followed by service brakes (26) and exterior lighting (11). 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 9 active recall campaigns, 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 2010 MKZ, 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.
Total Complaints
196 filings
Crashes Reported
22 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 95 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 26 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 11 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 10 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 9 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 8 |
| ENGINE | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN | 4 |
| SEATS | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 3 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 2 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC | 1 |
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 register
EQUIPMENT
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 ma
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
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
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 i
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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. Vir
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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. Vi
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 tha
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.
Mileage: 110,000
I bought this car and it started making a tick sound and when I got it home the drive train was hanging
I bought this car and it started making a tick sound and when I got it home the drive train was hanging
I bought this car and it started making a tick sound and when I got it home the drive train was hanging
The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, on several occasions, while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed, and the brake pedal remained on the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ABS system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was determined that the ABS system and the HECU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Mileage: 80,000
The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to slow as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the brake hoses and brake caliper hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.
Mileage: 116,000
The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to slow as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the brake hoses and brake caliper hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.
Mileage: 116,000
The brake pedal had a long travel before brakes would apply. I was not able to operate my vehicle without concern for myself and others since brakes did not react quickly. It required a flush of the brake fluid and replacement of the ABS brake module. I believe this type of incident was part of a recall on the 2010 Lincoln MKZ. I never received any notice of a recall from Ford and had to pay to replace these defective parts.
Water pump failure Car has 44,000 miles. Dealer maintained Safety - I am reading that engine can shut off Known problem with Lincoln/ ford water pump failures in engines Just purchased vehicle last month dealer filled up reservoir w coolant said it just evaporated did not appear anything was leaking Over heat lamp came on, noticed a lot of coolant on ground. From what I am reading class action in Canada was for same problem described as faulty design. Having to tear apart engines adds 14 hours of labor cost. From US class action lawsuit Miletello vs Ford and other suits class action was filed stating a faulty design with water pump being inside the engine. States it can cause catastrophic engine failure. Expensive to repair 14 man hours for labor. Ford has known about the problem and never fixed it.
The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed, he had to apply pressure to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that either the master cylinder or the interlock brake box failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was transferred to the dealer, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 173,270.
Mileage: 173,270
The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed, he had to apply pressure to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that either the master cylinder or the interlock brake box failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was transferred to the dealer, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 173,270.
Mileage: 173,270
The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle cut her off. As a result, the contactâs wife abruptly depressed the brake pedal, but extra force had to be applied to stop the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ABS system was leaking brake fluid and the ABS system needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to contact the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
Mileage: 104,000
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.
The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while in the car wash the transmission was shifted back to the Driver position when suddenly the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a pair of the iron post. During the crash, the front of the vehicle was severely damaged but the airbags did not deploy. The driver sustained a concussion, head laceration, neck, left leg, and right shoulder injuries which required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while in the car wash the transmission was shifted back to the Driver position when suddenly the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a pair of the iron post. During the crash, the front of the vehicle was severely damaged but the airbags did not deploy. The driver sustained a concussion, head laceration, neck, left leg, and right shoulder injuries which required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
Wrench light came on a few times when I checked it the codes were p2135 and p0122 and p1576 car didnt accelerate It happen again one time and then it was letting me accelerate but it was very limited
The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while her husband was driving 45 MPH and approaching a traffic light, he had to depress the brake pedal to the floor to stop the vehicle. The driver stated that the advance trac and ABS warning lights were illuminated but turned off shortly after. The driver stated after a week, he experienced the failure again and same the warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the ABS module and HCU unit to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000.
Mileage: 161,000
The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while making a left turn at a low rate of speed, several warning lights including the ABS warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact then received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer was contacted and informed him that the part was not yet available. Northtowne Lincoln (21 NE Vivion Rd, Kansas City, MO 64118) was also contacted and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for service. The contact left his vehicle in the possession of the dealer and after several days, he was notified that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Mileage: 138,000
The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while making a left turn at a low rate of speed, several warning lights including the ABS warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact then received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer was contacted and informed him that the part was not yet available. Northtowne Lincoln (21 NE Vivion Rd, Kansas City, MO 64118) was also contacted and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for service. The contact left his vehicle in the possession of the dealer and after several days, he was notified that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Mileage: 138,000
The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, while depressing on the brake pedal the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she was able to cruise to an independent mechanic. The contact stated that the independent mechanic informed her that the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The independent mechanic then stated that the HCU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The independent mechanic stated that HCU needed to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 243,000.
Mileage: 243,000
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.