Lincoln Zephyr Best and Worst Years (2006–2012)
The 2006 Lincoln Zephyr is the year to avoid, with a complaint index of 100 and 229 complaints, dominated by airbag failures (142 complaints, 62%). No Zephyr year earns a Good or Best verdict because every year carries recall campaigns; 2008 is the lowest-risk pick with a complaint index of 67.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2006Lowest-risk years:Caution 2008
- Model years
- 7
- 2006–2012
- NHTSA complaints
- 240
- Recall campaigns
- 5
- Crashes reported
- 9
- Fires reported
- 1
- Top problem area
- Airbags
Zephyr 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 Zephyr problems and recalls by year
Zephyr years to avoid: what went wrong
2006 Lincoln Zephyr Index 100 · 229 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2006 Zephyr has the highest complaint index (100) of any model year, driven mainly by airbags: 142 complaints, 62% of the year's total, with a median failure mileage of 89,000. Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in crashes, sometimes causing injuries. Suspension, wheels, and tires accounted for 32 complaints (14%), including wheel failures around 60,000 miles. Structure and body issues added 19 complaints, and engine problems (18 complaints) surfaced near 110,000 miles, including reports of engine coil damage and smoke. This year carries four recall campaigns, two marked do-not-drive, covering airbags and ABS brake valve corrosion.
2006 airbags problems →2006 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2006 structure & body problems →
Most common Lincoln Zephyr problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Airbags153 (64%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires32 (13%)
- Structure & Body19 (8%)
- Engine18 (8%)
- Brakes15 (6%)
- Electrical System11 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (5%)
- Other10 (4%)
- Fuel System5 (2%)
- Steering3 (1%)
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 Zephyr year should I avoid?
- The 2006 model year, which has the highest complaint index (100) among all Zephyr years and 229 total complaints, mostly airbag-related.
- Is there a best year for the Lincoln Zephyr?
- No. Every Zephyr model year is capped by recall campaigns, so none reaches a Good or Best verdict. The 2008 model year is the lowest-risk choice, rated Caution with a complaint index of 67.
- What is the most common problem with the Lincoln Zephyr?
- Airbags are the top problem area across all years, accounting for 153 of 240 total complaints, or 64%.
- Does the Lincoln Zephyr have any do-not-drive recalls?
- Yes. The 2006 model year has two do-not-drive recall campaigns among its four total recalls, related to airbag inflators and brake system issues.
- How many recall campaigns affect the Lincoln Zephyr overall?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns across the 2006-2012 Zephyr model years.