2010 Lincoln MKZ Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2010 Lincoln MKZ ranks worst among all 15 model years with a complaint index of 100 and 169 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Airbags account for 57% of complaints, with 7 recalls including 3 do-not-drive campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 15 MKZ years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 169
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- 3 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 14
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17.5 city / 25.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 0
Top 2010 Lincoln MKZ problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Side impact airbags failed to deploy during crashes at highway speed, leaving drivers and passengers with serious injuries.
- Vehicles reportedly lurched or accelerated on their own at low speeds, such as while parking or backing out of a spot, and brakes failed to stop the car.
- Sudden unintended acceleration in reverse led to crashes into walls, poles, snow banks, and other vehicles.
- Front seats reportedly collapsed backward during a rear-end collision, injuring the driver and passenger.
- Some sudden acceleration incidents were later linked to an accelerator pedal issue addressed under a separate equipment campaign.
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
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
- Is the 2010 Lincoln MKZ reliable?
- Compared with other MKZ model years, the 2010 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 (the highest of any year) and 169 owner complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Lincoln MKZ?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 57% of complaints (96 of 169), including reports of side airbags failing to deploy in crashes.
- Does the 2010 Lincoln MKZ have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2010 MKZ, 3 of which are do-not-drive recalls, covering airbag and brake system defects.
- How does the 2010 MKZ compare to other years?
- The 2010 has the highest complaint index (100) among 15 model years tracked, worse than the 2007 (86), 2008 (93), and 2009 (79), all also rated Avoid.
- At what mileage do 2010 MKZ problems typically appear?
- Airbag-related complaints show a median mileage of 66,500, while brake complaints show a median of 104,000 miles; overall median mileage at failure is 72,233.