2010 Lincoln MKZ problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
169 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
72,233 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 73 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 95 of 169 complaints (56.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 47 | 27.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 3.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 0.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 0.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | 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 |
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
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 15 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 22 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 22; 150,000 and above: 6
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 96 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 45 |
| 2018 | 53 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 4; 2013: 4; 2014: 7; 2015: 5; 2016: 6; 2017: 45; 2018: 53; 2019: 3; 2020: 11; 2021: 15; 2022: 3; 2023: 4; 2024: 1; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 47 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10349093 · 2010-08-12 (August 12, 2010)
WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE CAR'S REAR SENSORS SOUNDED. SINCE I THOUGHT THERE WAS STILL 3 OR 4 FEET OF SPACE TO A CHAIN LINK FENCE BEHIND THE CAR, I GOT OUT TO INVESTIGATE. THERE WAS ROOM, SO I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR & CONTINUED TO BACK UP SLOWLY WHILE LOOKING OUT THE OPEN DRIVER DOOR. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I APPLIED THE BRAKES A FEW MORE TIMES, BUT STILL COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO STOP. I BELIEVE I MOVED MY RIGHT FOOT MORE TO THE LEFT & TRIED TO STOP AGAIN. WHEN THAT DIDN'T STOP THE CAR, IN DESPERATION I M…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,049 miles reported. Look up ODI 10349093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10425627 · 2011-09-15 (September 15, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 10/18/11*LJ UPDATED 3/30/12 *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10425627 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10460314 · 2012-06-01 (June 1, 2012)
BACKED CROOKEDLY INTO PARKING SLOT IN PUBLIC PARKING LOT. TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN CAR IN SLOT BY SLOWLY MOVING FORWARD. CAR ON ITS OWN LURCHED AHEAD AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED; BRAKES HAD LITTLE EFFECT AND I STRUCK A PARKED CAR. SOMEHOW SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND CAR ON ITS OWN GAINED FEROCIOUS SPEED TRAVELING BACKWARDS. THIS FORWARD, THEN BACKWARD PATTERN CONTINUED ON ITS OWN WHILE I STRUGGLED TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. IN REVERSE, CAR CONTINUED GAINING SPEED BEYOND MY CONTROL, WHEELING ABOUT THE PARKING LOT AND STRIKING 3 OR 4 ADDITIONAL AUTOS. DURI…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10460314 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11080179 · 2018-03-19 (March 19, 2018)
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR STALLED OUT. I TRIED REPEATEDLY TO RE-START BUT IT KEPT STALLING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A LINCOLN DEALERSHIP NEAR MY HOME AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND PCM HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH COST ME $2128. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, MY CAR HAD 91,860 MILES. I NOTICED ON THE LINCOLN CHAT SIGHT THAT OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. HOPING THAT THE NTSB WOULD FURTHER INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU.…
Owner-reported narrative. 91,860 miles reported. Look up ODI 11080179 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10478576 · 2012-10-04 (October 4, 2012)
EXCESSIVE HEATING OF HEATED/COOLED FRONT SEATS AT APPROX. 40,000 MILES. TEMPERATURE TOO HIGH TO TOUCH. AT 50,600 MILES, DCSM MODULE UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT AND ASSOCIATED PIGTAIL WIRING BURNED UP, MELTING CONNECTOR AND WIRING. DEALER EVALUATED PRIOR OVER HEATING OF BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS AS NORMAL AT APPROX. 40,000 MILES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10478576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10917578 · 2016-10-20 (October 20, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 122,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10917578 at NHTSA ↗