2012 Lincoln Mkz Hybrid Owner Complaints

I have a Lincoln MKZ Hybrid 2012 with 88k miles on it. While I was slowing to a stop as I approached a stoplight at a busy intersection, the 'Check Brake' warning on the dashboard lit up without warning and no prior issues, and my ability to brake became near impossible as the pedal softened. I needed to push it all the way to the floor to get the vehicle to stop. I shifted into park and turned off the vehicle - following turning it back on, the dashboard warning disappeared, I was able to brake again, and the warning has not come back since. My vehicle just passed inspection earlier in the month, and nothing with the brakes came up. This is a critical safety issue! It could have been potentially fatal to myself, my passenger, or other drivers if I could not stop before the intersection, or if this had happened while I was on a main road or highway. I took it into the Ford Lincoln dealership. They cited a faulty HCU/ABS module and recommended replacement, but all parts are after-market at this point and would not come with a warranty. OEM replacements are also extremely difficult to come by. The repairs would take around $3.8k to complete, which is close to the current value of the vehicle. Ford issued Safety Recall 19S54 in December 2019, covering 600,166 model year 2006–2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles for the exact same defect. No recall exists for anything in 2012 despite at least 17 NHTSA complaints have been filed for the 2012 Lincoln MKZ alone for this specific brake failure. The 2012 MKZ and Fusion use the same braking system architecture as the recalled vehicles. The failure mechanism is identical. The safety risk is identical.

NHTSA ID

11742028

Incident

May 30, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11673764

Incident

Jul 10, 2025

Mileage

119,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11670985

Incident

Jan 17, 2018

Mileage

55,567 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11557871

Incident

Nov 30, 2023

Mileage

125,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11557491

Incident

Nov 15, 2023

Mileage

66,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11542076

Incident

Mar 23, 2023

Mileage

122,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11535619

Incident

May 31, 2023

Mileage

100,288 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11533539

Incident

Jul 18, 2023

Mileage

100,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11533308

Incident

Jul 7, 2023

Mileage

190,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11482554

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11395437

Incident

Jan 16, 2021

Mileage

35,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11365325

Incident

Sep 24, 2020

Mileage

68,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11271446

Incident

Oct 27, 2019

Mileage

60,000 mi

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...."

NHTSA ID

11228689

Incident

Apr 15, 2019

Mileage

92,537 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11219762

Incident

Jun 7, 2019

Mileage

115,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11210374

Incident

May 25, 2019

Mileage

86,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11206413

Incident

Mar 12, 2019

Mileage

53,300 mi

THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY KEEPS GOING OUT

NHTSA ID

11205341

Incident

Oct 15, 2018

Mileage

142,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11194283

Incident

Mar 29, 2019

Mileage

76,000 mi

STATIONARY, STARTED,NO POWER STEERING.STATED POER STEERING ASSIST FAULT.

NHTSA ID

11192491

Incident

Mar 29, 2019

FAILURE OF DRIVER'S INSIDE DOOR HANDLE: WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT MY CAR, THE DOOR HANDLE'S MECHANISM SUDDENLY FAILED AND I WAS UNABLE TO EGRESS THE VEHICLE AND I CAME CLOSE TO PANICKING. SO I WAS FORCED TO EXIT VIA THE PASSENGER DOOR WHICH WAS VERY DIFFICULT CLIMBING OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE. AFTER TALKING TO THE LINCOLN ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER AND RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, I QUICKLY LEARNED THAT FORDS, INCLUDING LINCOLNS, HAVE AN EXTREMELY HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THIS PART. HE SAID THAT THE ALTERNATIVE TO CLIMBING OUT THE PASSENGER'S DOOR WAS TO LOWER THE DRIVER'S WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR BY PULLING ON THE OUTSIDE HANDLE WHICH CAN ALSO BE A DIFFICULT MANEUVER. BUT WHETHER AN EMERGENCY OR NOT, THAT IS CERTAINLY NOT THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MIND. HAD I BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE REQUIRING IMMEDIATE EXIT, IN ALL LIKELIHOOD, I WOULD HAVE LIKELY DIED. BECAUSE OF THIS FREQUENT PART FAILURE AND THE LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY OR DEATH, I FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO FATHOM THAT YOUR AGENCY HASN'T ISSUED AN URGENT RECALL ON THIS PART.

NHTSA ID

11163758

Incident

Dec 27, 2018

Mileage

43,208 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V024000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. JOE MACHENS CAPITAL CITY FORD (807 SOUTHWEST BLVD, JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI 65109, (855) 929-5900) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL IN MARCH OF 2017 AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11151321

Incident

Mar 1, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V024000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. EVERGREEN FORD LINCOLN (1500 18TH AVENUE NW, ISSAQUAH, WASHINGTON 98027, (425) 392-6900) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11149944

Incident

Oct 29, 2018

I AM CURRENTLY IN A RENTAL AND HAVE BEEN FOR MONTHS. CALIFORNIA CODE REQUIRES THAT, IF A MANUFACTURER OR ITS REPRESENTATIVE IS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE MOTOR VEHICLE TO CONFORM TO THE VEHICLES APPLICABLE EXPRESS WARRANTY AFTER A REASONABLE NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS. ITS BEEN TWO YEARS, MAYBE LONGER. THE VEHICLE IS NOW IN NONCONFORMITY FOR OVER 60 DAYS.

NHTSA ID

11144081

Incident

Sep 23, 2016

TAKATA RECALL: I RECEIVED NOTICE THE RECALL A YEAR AGO. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED A FORD DEALER ABOUT THE RECALL WHO TOLD ME THEY WOULD CALL WHEN READY TO REPLACE MY AIR BAG. I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED NOR GOTTEN MY AIR BAG REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

11143463

Incident

Oct 1, 2017