Total Complaints
78 filings
LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID · model year
78 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012LINCOLNMKZ HYBRID carries 78 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 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 2012 MKZ HYBRID is steering with 19 filings, followed by air bags (17) and electrical system (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.
NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2012 MKZ HYBRID, 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
78 filings
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING | 19 |
| AIR BAGS | 17 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 8 |
| ENGINE | 6 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 6 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 3 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and went all the way to the floorboard however, the vehicle failed to immediately stop. The contact stated that after pumping the brake pedal repeatedly the vehicle came to a stop. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with the ABS control module failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.
Mileage: 119,000
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that the front driver's side door failed to open while pulling the interior door handle, requiring the contact to open the door using the exterior door handle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the front driver's side interior door handle was replaced three times, and the door lock was replaced once; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the front passenger' side door failed to open completely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the front passenger' side door lock was replaced once; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 55,567.
Mileage: 55,567
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist and driving track warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to his place of employment. The contact stated that after work he started the vehicle and, while driving, the steering seized. The contact used both hands to turn and steer the vehicle. The contact phoned the local dealer and made the dealer aware of the failure. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report to failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Mileage: 125,000
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to reverse, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, and the vehicle displayed a message stating "Electric Power Steering Assist Fault". The EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the power steering control module. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was included but the vehicle was already repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 66,000.
Mileage: 66,000
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while his grandson was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the power steering control module was reprogrammed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was determined that the steering gear assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
Mileage: 122,000
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated while starting the vehicle the steering wheel was firm. The "power steering assist fault" and "service advance trac" messages were displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the steering operated normally. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the recall for the failure had expired and provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was 100,288.
Mileage: 100,288
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, there was a beeping sound heard and the "Steering Assist" and "Service Track" warning lights illuminated. The contact stated slightly corrected the steering wheel and became aware that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. The contact was able to pull off the roadway and shifted the vehicle into park(P) and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted however, the power steering functionality was still inoperable. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brake was inoperable. The Service ABS warning light was illuminated; however, the contact stated that the vehicle was driven to her residence with caution. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact researched and discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) in which her vehicle experienced the same failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
Mileage: 190,000
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The consumer stated that Ford completed the work necessary to repair the vehicle.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 42 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE AS THE SERVICE ADVANCED TRACK AND SERVICE POWER STEERING MESSAGES APPEARED ON HIS INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON SIMILAR MODEL VEHICLES FOR A POWER STEERING FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.
Mileage: 35,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH THE SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE THEN LOSS POWER STEERING FUNCTIONALITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS DISABLED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN MANUAL STEERING MODE. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PURCHASE FORD LINCOLN (1352 US-45, MAYFIELD, KY 42066) BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.
Mileage: 68,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. ALSO, 'SERVICE ADVANCETRAC' AND 'SERVICE STEERING ASSIST' WERE DISPLAYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Mileage: 60,000
STARTED VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT. BRAKE LIGHT, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ALL ON. BACKED OUT OF PARKING SPOT. THOUGHT I COULD GET IT HOME. PULLED OUT ONTO CITY STREET. TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE; PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN. DID NOT REMEMBER TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP, BUT PUT INTO PARK TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP. MANAGED TO PULL INTO ANOTHER PARKING LOT, CONTINUING TO PUT INTO PARK TO STOP. CALLED AAA AND HAD TOWED. DEALER INVOICE STATES, "VERIFIED CUST CONCERN. EXPERIENCED NO POWER BRAKE ASSIST ON VEHICLE. R&I THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FOR INTERNAL FAULT...."
Mileage: 92,537
SEAT HEATING AND COOLING CONTROL SHUTS OFF AFTER AFTER BUTTON IS DEPRESSED. UPON TROUBLE SHOOTING IT WAS FOUND THAT SOMETHING SHORTED A PIN ON THE CONTROL MODULE LOCATED UNDER THE PASSENGERS SEAT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE FEMALE PIN CONNECTOR WAS COMPLETELY MELTED.
Mileage: 115,000
SEAT HEATING AND COOLING CONTROL SHUTS OFF AFTER AFTER BUTTON IS DEPRESSED. UPON TROUBLE SHOOTING IT WAS FOUND THAT SOMETHING SHORTED A PIN ON THE CONTROL MODULE LOCATED UNDER THE PASSENGERS SEAT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE FEMALE PIN CONNECTOR WAS COMPLETELY MELTED.
Mileage: 115,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Mileage: 86,000
SHORTLY AFTER I HAD THE TAKATA RECALL FIXED, I HAD THE FOLLOWING THINGS HAPPEN TO THE VEHICLE: INTERIOR DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE WILL NOT OPERATE. PRIOR TO THAT THE DRIVER'S WINDOW WOULD NOT OPERATE. MYSTERIOUSLY, THE WINDOW BEGAN OPERATING, THEN THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN EACH INCIDENT OCCURRED.
Mileage: 53,300
THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY KEEPS GOING OUT
Mileage: 142,000
THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY KEEPS GOING OUT
Mileage: 142,000
POWER STEERING WENT WITHOUT ANY WARNING HAS RECALL ON OTHER MKZ OF THAT YEAR BUT NOT MINE. I PUT IT REVERSE AND HAD NO POWER STEERING LUCKY I WAS NOT DRIVING WHEN IT WENT OUT.
Mileage: 76,000
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.