2010 Lincoln MKZ Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 11 MKZ years
The 2010 Lincoln MKZ ranks worst of 11 model years, with a complaint index of 100, 169 complaints, 14 crashes, and 7 recalls including 3 do-not-drive airbag campaigns. Airbags account for 57% of complaints, making this the year to avoid within the MKZ lineup.
- Complaints
- 169
- Recalls
- 7
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 14 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17.5 city / 25.5 hwy
Top 2010 Lincoln MKZ problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags96 (57%)
- Brakes39 (23%)
- Electrical System17 (10%)
- Engine15 (9%)
- Structure & Body9 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (2%)
- Other3 (2%)
- Fuel System2 (1%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (1%)
- Seat Belts1 (1%)
What owners report
- Owners report side-impact airbags failing to deploy during crashes, resulting in driver or passenger injuries.
- Some describe the vehicle suddenly accelerating on its own while backing out of parking spots or reversing, with brakes offering little or no response.
- Others report unexpected forward or backward lurching immediately after shifting gears, sometimes striking nearby objects.
- Front seats have been reported to collapse backward during rear-end collisions, contributing to occupant injuries.
- Several complaints describe brakes failing to stop the vehicle despite the pedal being depressed, leading to low-speed collisions.
2010 Lincoln MKZ recalls
7 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:driver side:inflator module
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.
2010 Lincoln MKZ fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 25.5 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.
2010 compared with other MKZ years
Frequently asked questions
- Should I avoid the 2010 Lincoln MKZ?
- Yes. NHTSA data shows the 2010 model year has a complaint index of 100, the highest of all 11 MKZ model years, ranking it worst overall with 169 complaints and 7 recalls.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Lincoln MKZ?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 57% of complaints (96 of 169), with a median failure mileage of 66,500 miles and involvement in 6 crashes.
- Does the 2010 Lincoln MKZ have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists multiple airbag recalls for the 2010 MKZ, including three do-not-drive campaigns covering driver and passenger airbag inflators and modules.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2010 Lincoln MKZ?
- NHTSA lists 169 complaints for the 2010 Lincoln MKZ, including 14 crashes and 10 injuries, with no reported fires.
- How does the 2010 MKZ compare to other MKZ years?
- The 2010 MKZ has the highest complaint index (100) among all 11 years with data, while 2019 has the lowest at 10, making 2010 the year most likely to be flagged as Avoid.