2009 Lincoln MKZ Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
79/100
#4 most-complained of 15 MKZ years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2009 Lincoln MKZ has 114 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 79 out of 100 — #4 highest of 15 MKZ model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is airbags (66 complaints, 58% of the total). Complaints report 8 crashes and 7 injuries.
- Complaints
- 114
- Recalls
- 6
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 8 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17.5 city / 26 hwy
Top 2009 Lincoln MKZ problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
2009 Lincoln MKZ recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V158000Mar 10, 2021Airbags2,602,668 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.
- NHTSA 21V081000Feb 16, 2021Airbags1,067 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
- NHTSA 19V904000Dec 18, 2019Brakes600,166 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not close properly.
Risk: If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the HCU will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition, replacing the HCU as necessary. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S54.
2009 Lincoln MKZ fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 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 MKZ years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Lincoln MKZ a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Lincoln MKZ ranks #4 of 15 among MKZ model years (Complaint Index 79/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 114 complaints and 6 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Lincoln MKZ?
- The most reported problem areas are airbags (66 complaints), brakes (25 complaints), and engine (8 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 68,000 miles.
- Does the 2009 Lincoln MKZ have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2009 Lincoln MKZ, most recently reported 2021, covering airbags and brakes. At least one carries a Do Not Drive advisory.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Lincoln MKZ?
- EPA rates the 2009 Lincoln MKZ at 20 MPG combined (17.5 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,250. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.