Lincoln MKZ Best and Worst Years (2006–2020)
Avoid the 2007-2010 Lincoln MKZ, with complaint indexes from 79 to 100 and airbag complaints dominating each of those years. The 2018 and 2019 model years earn Best verdicts with complaint indexes of just 21 and 14.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 15
- 2006–2020
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,661
- Recall campaigns
- 32
- Crashes reported
- 101
- Fires reported
- 14
- Top problem area
- Airbags
MKZ Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Lincoln MKZ problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | No verdict | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 ! | — | — | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 86 | 259 | 14 | 3 | 4 ! | Airbags | 19.5 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 93 | 281 | 12 | 0 | 4 ! | Airbags | 20.5 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 79 | 114 | 8 | 0 | 6 ! | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 100 | 169 | 14 | 0 | 7 ! | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 64 | 145 | 11 | 3 | 5 ! | Airbags | 20 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Caution | 71 | 146 | 10 | 2 | 5 ! | Airbags | 20 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 43 | 109 | 4 | 2 | 12 | Structure & Body | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 50 | 97 | 7 | 0 | 13 | Steering | 23.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 29 | 82 | 4 | 0 | 10 | Electrical System | 23 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 36 | 64 | 8 | 0 | 6 | Brakes | 23 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 57 | 139 | 6 | 4 | 4 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Best | 21 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Best | 14 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2020 | No verdict | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Steering | 22 | 5★ |
MKZ years to avoid: what went wrong
2010 Lincoln MKZ Index 100 · 169 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2010 MKZ has the highest rank_worst_first position and a complaint index of 100, the peak for this model. Airbags are 57% of complaints at a median mileage of 66,500, with owners describing side airbags failing to deploy in collisions and seats collapsing backward in rear impacts. Brakes follow at 23% of complaints with a median mileage of 104,000. NHTSA recorded seven recall campaigns, three requiring do-not-drive action, and complaints link to 14 crashes and 10 injuries.
2010 airbags problems →2010 brakes problems →2010 electrical system problems →
2008 Lincoln MKZ Index 93 · 281 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2008 MKZ carries the highest complaint index among these years at 93. Airbags represent 59% of complaints, with owners reporting non-deployment during crashes at a median mileage of 70,000. Brakes follow at 26% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 99,000; owners describe soft or unresponsive brake pedals and master cylinder replacements. NHTSA recorded four recall campaigns, including one do-not-drive airbag recall, alongside 12 crashes linked to complaints for this model year.
2008 airbags problems →2008 brakes problems →2008 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2007 Lincoln MKZ Index 86 · 259 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2007 MKZ has a complaint index of 86 out of 1,661 total complaints logged for the model. Airbags account for 71% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage around 66,285 miles. Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in crashes or seat belts not restraining occupants as expected. Brakes make up another 16% of complaints, with failures reported near a median of 85,000 miles. NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for this year, including two do-not-drive airbag and inflator recalls, plus 14 crashes and 2 deaths tied to complaints.
2007 airbags problems →2007 brakes problems →2007 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2009 Lincoln MKZ Index 79 · 114 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2009 MKZ has a complaint index of 79. Airbags make up 58% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 53,500; owners describe airbags deploying with excessive force or failing to deploy entirely. Brakes account for 22% of complaints at a median mileage of 88,096, with owners reporting braking system failure during stops. NHTSA lists six recall campaigns for this year, three of them do-not-drive airbag recalls, and complaints tie to eight crashes and seven injuries.
Most common Lincoln MKZ problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Airbags674 (41%)
- Brakes290 (17%)
- Engine214 (13%)
- Electrical System143 (9%)
- Steering115 (7%)
- Other110 (7%)
- Structure & Body109 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires103 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain94 (6%)
- Fuel System45 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Lincoln MKZ years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 as years to avoid, with complaint indexes ranging from 79 to 100. Airbags are the dominant complaint area in all four years.
- What is the best Lincoln MKZ year to buy?
- 2018 and 2019 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 21 and 14, the lowest among all 15 model years covered. 2016 is rated Good with an index of 36.
- Does the Lincoln MKZ have a lot of recalls?
- Across 2006-2020, NHTSA lists 32 recall campaigns for the MKZ. The 2013 and 2015 model years each have their verdicts capped to Caution because of 12 and 10 recall campaigns respectively, despite lower complaint indexes.
- What is the most common problem reported on the Lincoln MKZ?
- Airbags are the top complaint area across all model years, making up 41% of the 1,661 total complaints, followed by brakes at 17% and engine issues at 13%.
- Is the 2010 Lincoln MKZ the worst year?
- Yes, the 2010 MKZ ranks worst overall with a complaint index of 100 and seven recall campaigns, three of which are do-not-drive recalls affecting airbags.