YearToAvoid

2009 Lincoln MKS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2009 Lincoln MKS has a Complaint Index of 71 and ranks 3rd-worst of 8 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Brakes are the top problem area with 21 complaints and a median failure mileage of 22,000, plus one airbag recall.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
71/100
#3 of 8 MKS years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
56
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
4
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
5
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2012
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19
16.5 city / 23.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
5 / 1

Top 2009 Lincoln MKS problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes21 (38%)
  2. Engine11 (20%)
  3. Airbags8 (14%)
  4. Structure & Body8 (14%)
  5. Other7 (13%)
  6. Electrical System3 (5%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain3 (5%)
  8. Fuel System2 (4%)
  9. Steering2 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Brakes grind or fail to stop the vehicle smoothly, sometimes just a few thousand miles after purchase.
  • Brake pads and rotors get replaced multiple times without fixing the underlying grinding or noise issue.
  • Driver frontal airbags fail to deploy in low-speed crashes, leaving occupants without protection.
  • In at least one collision, airbag deployment was followed by a fire that filled the cabin with smoke.
  • Engine oil leaks and burning smells appear shortly after dealer pickup, with fluid dripping onto the exhaust.
  • Rear head restraints block the driver's view when changing lanes, creating blind spots on both sides.
2009 Lincoln MKS complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2009May 2010Apr 2012Nov 2014Dec 2015Dec 2016Jul 2018Nov 2020
56 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2009 to Dec 2024; peak Mar 2010 (3).

2009 Lincoln MKS recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V247000Apr 26, 2016Airbags695 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.

2009 Lincoln MKS fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16.5 MPG
Highway
23.5 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,400
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2009 compared with other MKS years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009Caution7156119
2010Caution5751019
2011Avoid10043319

All Lincoln MKS years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Lincoln MKS reliable?
Compared to other MKS model years, 2009 ranks 3rd-worst of 8 with a Complaint Index of 71 and a Caution verdict, based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
What is the biggest problem with the 2009 Lincoln MKS?
Brakes are the top complaint area, accounting for 21 of 56 total complaints (38%), with issues showing up at a median mileage of 22,000.
Does the 2009 Lincoln MKS have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (16V247000) covers a driver frontal airbag module that may not deploy properly; Ford replaces the module free of charge.
How does the 2009 MKS compare to the 2011 and 2013 MKS?
The 2009 MKS has a Complaint Index of 71, lower than the 2011 MKS (100, Avoid) and the 2013 MKS (86, Avoid), but higher than the 2012 MKS (14, Best).
What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Lincoln MKS?
The 2009 MKS gets 19 mpg combined (16.5 city / 23.5 highway) and costs an estimated $3,400 per year in fuel.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.