Model year
2012 Lincoln MKZ
NHTSA lists 5 recalls and 146 complaints for the 2012 Lincoln MKZ (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 59 complaints under MKZ HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. 2 recalls marked do not drive. The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (68), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (22), STEERING (20). NHTSA lists 2 investigations, including 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA rated 3 variants 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 19–38 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $1,750–$3,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2007 259 complaints
- 2008 281 complaints
- 2009 114 complaints
- 2010 170 complaints
- 2011 145 complaints
- 2012 146 complaints
- 2013 109 complaints
- 2014 97 complaints
- 2015 84 complaints
- 2016 64 complaints
- 2017 141 complaints
- 2018 35 complaints
- 2019 21 complaints
- 2020 2 complaints
Recalls
21V158000 · Mar 10, 2021
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…
19V001000 · Jan 7, 2019
Do not driveAIR 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…
18V775000 · Nov 1, 2018
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…
17V024000 · Jan 10, 2017
Do not driveAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa,…
15V340000 · Jun 2, 2015
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L…
Complaints
146 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 10, fire flag on 2, injury field 9, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| MKZ HYBRID | 0 | 59 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE14030 | Electric power steering failure · STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | Oct 2, 2014 | Sep 10, 2015 |
| EA21002 | Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | Sep 17, 2021 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR AWD | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 · possibility 0.092 | — |
| 4 DR FWD | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 · possibility 0.105 | — |
| Hev 4 DR FWD | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 · possibility 0.105 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKZ AWD · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| MKZ Hybrid FWD · 2.5L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 41 | 35 | 38 | — | — | $1,750 |
| MKZ FWD · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Lincoln MKZ at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.