2012 Lincoln MKZ problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
146 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
53,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 74 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 68 of 146 complaints (46.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 25 | 17.1% |
| Steering behavior | 21 | 14.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 2.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 0.7% |
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 | 68 |
| Unknown Or Other | 22 |
| Steering | 20 |
| Service Brakes | 17 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Structure:Body | 9 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
Air Bags: 68; Unknown Or Other: 22; Steering: 20; Service Brakes: 17; Electrical System: 9; Structure:Body: 9; Engine: 5; Exterior Lighting: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 19 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 17 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 17; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 3
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 72 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 42 |
| 2018 | 28 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 5; 2016: 8; 2017: 42; 2018: 28; 2019: 15; 2020: 13; 2021: 15; 2022: 4; 2023: 5; 2024: 5; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 25 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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 10500661 · 2013-02-27 (February 27, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. TYHE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IDLES ROUGH AT STAND STILL. IT SURGES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM AN ALMOST BRAKING …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10500661 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10678750 · 2015-01-25 (January 25, 2015)
I FULLY STOPPED IN A PARKING PLACE WHERE I USE TO GO EVERY MONDAY TO PICK UP KIDS FROM A DANCING SCHOOL. AFTER I FULLY STOPPED AND TRY TO PUT THE CLUTCH ON P THE CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. I WENT TROUGH A BUILDING AND AS I TRIED TO CONTROL THE CAR I WAS TRYING TO PUT IN P AND I WAS NOT ABLE. I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND TRIED TO STABILIZE THE CAR..EVENTUALLY THE CAR ENDED IN A DITCH AND I WAS ABLE TO EXIT IMMEDIATELY. THE AIR BEGS OPENED ONLY AFTER I EXIT THE CAR. I WAS IN COMPLETE SHOCK AND I WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL BY THE RESCU…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10678750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10472576 · 2012-08-27 (August 27, 2012)
I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 15 MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN POWER STEERING FROZE. WARNING LIGHT "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC" AND "POWER STEERING FAILURE CAME ON. I TURNED CAR OFF AND ON AND STEERING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. TWO DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE CAR. THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS, AS THE CAR WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. CAR IS AT DEALER NOW, THEY SAY PART HAS A BACKLOG OF OVER 1700 UNITS. COULD TAKE MONTHS FOR REPAIR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10472576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10643495 · 2014-10-09 (October 9, 2014)
ON TURNING RIGHT POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF AND ONLY HAD MANUAL STEERING CONTROL UNTIL WHEELS WERE STRAIGHTENED AND THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. THIS ONLY HAPPENS ON TURNING RIGHT. WENT TO DEALER COMPLAINT IS ON FILE , DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG NEW CARS POWER STEERING DIFFERENT THAN PREVIOUS CARS. THIS IS TERRIBLE AND IF NOT FIXED I AM GOING TO TRADE IN THIS CAR. IT IS THE WORST STEERING AUTO I EVER HAD. I AM 83 AND I HAVE HAD A LOT OF CARS IN MY LIFETIME FROM DIFFERENT AUTO COMPANIES BUT NONE EVER HAD THIS STEERING PROBLEM.. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 20,222 miles reported. Look up ODI 10643495 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11000279 · 2017-06-20 (June 20, 2017)
THE METAL PART ON THE CABLE CONNECTING BATTERY TO OTHER PARTS OF VEHICLE CRACKED. HAD STOPPED TO GET BATTERY CHECKED AND SERVICE PERSONNEL FOUND THE CRACK IN THE METAL PART ON CABLE THAT CONTAINS 2 FUSES. CAR HAD BEEN HESITANT ON STARTING TWICE IN THE WEEK. SAFETY PROBLEM IF PART HAD BROKEN COMPLETELY INTO WHILE ON INTERSTATE OR IN AN AREA NOT HEAVILY POPULATED. COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS IF NOT FATAL ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11000279 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11254457 · 2019-09-10 (September 10, 2019)
I WAS AT THE GAS STATION PUTTING GAS TO MY CAR WHEN I NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE THEN I TOLD THE PEOPLE AROUND THE STAFF OD THE GAS STATION SHUT OFF ALL THE GAS PUMPS AND HELP ME TO TRYIED TO USE EXTINGUISHERS TOEND THE FIRE UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTNEN PEOPLE CAME. I DO NOT REALY KNOW WHAT HAPOENED BUT IWAS HAVING SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND WAS SMOKING WHEN WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR. WE THOUGHT NEED ANTIFREEZE LIQUID AND PUT IT BUT STILL RUNNING WEIRD.
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11254457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11267957 · 2019-10-11 (October 11, 2019)
AT 69,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2012 LINCOLN MKZ FAILED DUE TO DEFECTS IN MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP, ACCORDING TO MY LINCOLN/FORD DEALER. WHEN ACCELERATING INTO OVERDRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHUDDER AND EXPERIENCE SHIFTING PROBLEMS, USUALLY AROUND 40 MPH. THE SHIFTING ISSUE OCCURRED WHETHER DRIVING ON CITY STREETS OR ON THE HIGHWAY. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALER DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR DUE AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF METAL SHAVINGS LEFT BEHIND IN THE MANUFACTURING AND ASSEMBLY PROCESSES. THE UNREMOVED S…
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11267957 at NHTSA ↗