2012 Lincoln MKZ HYBRID

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Lincoln MKZ HYBRID has 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is steering problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: while driving near my home the power steering failed with no warning and the service advancetrac message came on. i have the car exactly 2 years and have only a little over 11,000 miles on it! thank goodness i wasn't on a highway and i was only blocks from my home. *tr.

1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

STEERING

19 complaints

24%

• WHILE DRIVING NEAR MY HOME THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITH NO WARNING AND THE SERVICE ADVANCETRAC MESSAGE CAME ON. I HAVE THE CAR EXACTLY 2 YEARS AND HAVE ONLY A LITTLE OVER 11,000 MILES ON IT! THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T ON A HIGHWAY AND I WAS ONLY BLOCKS FROM MY HOME. *TR
• POWER STEERING QUIT WITH NO WARNING AND SERVICE ADVANCETRAC MESSAGE CAME ON. FORD SAYS THE RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NOW I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR, NO CONFIDENCE IN THE QUALITY AND SAFETY. *TR
• WHILE DRIVING ON TWO LANE ROAD APPROX. 50 MPH, ENGINE STOPPED, ADVANCE TRACK LIGHT CAME ON , LOST STEERING AND BREAKING, COASTED TO STOP. RESTARTED AND DROVE HOME. CARRIED TO DEALER , WHO REPLACED. *JS STEERING GEAR. COMPUTER SHOULD SHOW YOU WARNING BUT NOT SHUT VEHICLE DOWN LOOSING BREAKING AND ST

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE DRIVING NEAR MY HOME THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITH NO WARNING AND THE SERVICE ADVANCETRAC MESSAGE CAME ON. I HAVE THE CAR EXACTLY 2 YEARS AND HAVE ONLY A LITTLE OVER 11,000 MILES ON IT! THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T ON A HIGHWAY AND I WAS ONLY BLOCKS FROM MY HOME. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

17 complaints

22%

• TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V024000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN MARCH OF 2017. THE DEALER (TED BRITT FORD SALES, 11165 FAIRFAX BLVD, FAI
• THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG INFLATOR HAS BEEN RECALLED IN MARCH 2017. AS OF TODAY, 2017.10.24, THE CERTIFIED LINCOLN DEALER IN AUSTIN TEXAS DOES NOT HAVE A REPLACEMENT FOR THIS RECALLED ITEM. I CALLED IN MARCH AND AGAIN TODAY, AND REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT
• GOT TAKATA RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH, TOOK IN TO LIVERMORE AUTO GROUP , THEY HAD CAR FOR A DAY THEN TOLD ME PARTS ARE NOT MADE YET , THEY SAID I WOULD BE CALLED WHEN PARTS ARE MADE. STILL WAITING FOR THEM TO CALL , WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY OF WIFE DRIVING THE CAR WITH DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V024000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN MARCH OF 2017. THE DEALER (TED BRITT FORD SALES, 11165 FAIRFAX BLVD, FAI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

8 complaints

10%

• SEPTEMBER 25, 2014 - WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR, THE "STOP CAR SAFETY NOW" WARNING CAME. I HAVE ABOUT 91,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MAPLECREST FORD LINCOLN. THEY HAVE CHECKED THE VEHICLE, DRIVEN IT, CHECK FOR CODES AND HAVE FOUND NOTHING IN THREE DAYS
• APPROXIMATELY MARCH OF 2013. I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON MOULTON BLVD, SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST SPEED AND A RED TRIANGLE SHAPED CAME ON AND STATED "DRIVE TO SIDE OF ROAD SAFELY AND SHUT OFF THE CAR ENGINE" I TOOK IT TO LINCOLN GARAGE AND THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR A WEEK, WAITING FOR DIRECTIONS OF PROCEDURE FROM
• DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX 65 MPH, A MESSAGE APPEARED TO PULL OVER. AT THE SAME TIME, THE CAR LOST ALL POWER. THE GAS PETAL NO LONGER WORKED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. THE CAR HAS RIGHT AT 60K MILES.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“SEPTEMBER 25, 2014 - WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR, THE "STOP CAR SAFETY NOW" WARNING CAME. I HAVE ABOUT 91,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MAPLECREST FORD LINCOLN. THEY HAVE CHECKED THE VEHICLE, DRIVEN IT, CHECK FOR CODES AND HAVE FOUND NOTHING IN THREE DAYS ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

6 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, HIS FOOT WAS CAUGHT ON SOMETHING UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD WHILE HE WAS MOVING IT FROM THE ACCELERATOR TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE D
• WHILE DRIVING ON TWO LANE ROAD APPROX. 50 MPH, ENGINE STOPPED, ADVANCE TRACK LIGHT CAME ON , LOST STEERING AND BREAKING, COASTED TO STOP. RESTARTED AND DROVE HOME. CARRIED TO DEALER , WHO REPLACED. *JS STEERING GEAR. COMPUTER SHOULD SHOW YOU WARNING BUT NOT SHUT VEHICLE DOWN LOOSING BREAKING AND ST
• TRAVELING SOUTH ON CT15 IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. TRAFFIC WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND STOPPED SUDDENLY. I APPLIED PRESUURE TO BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP. PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. IT APPEARED THAT MINIMUAL REGENERATIVE BRAKING WAS ENGAGED BUT NO ADDITIONAL FRICTION BRAKING. CAR HAD PLENTY OF DISTANCE IN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, HIS FOOT WAS CAUGHT ON SOMETHING UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD WHILE HE WAS MOVING IT FROM THE ACCELERATOR TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE D”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

6 complaints

• 5 JUNE 14: ENGINE DIED WHILE STOPPED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. RESTARTED IN PARK ON THIRD TRY. BRAKE AND CROSS TRAFFIC FAULT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. 7 JUNE 14: ENGINE DIED SECOND TIME AFTER ENTERING ENTRANCE STREET TO PARKING LOT AT 10 MPH. RESTARTED AFTER STOPPING AN
• WHILE DRIVING ON TWO LANE ROAD APPROX. 50 MPH, ENGINE STOPPED, ADVANCE TRACK LIGHT CAME ON , LOST STEERING AND BREAKING, COASTED TO STOP. RESTARTED AND DROVE HOME. CARRIED TO DEALER , WHO REPLACED. *JS STEERING GEAR. COMPUTER SHOULD SHOW YOU WARNING BUT NOT SHUT VEHICLE DOWN LOOSING BREAKING AND ST
• SEPTEMBER 25, 2014 - WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR, THE "STOP CAR SAFETY NOW" WARNING CAME. I HAVE ABOUT 91,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MAPLECREST FORD LINCOLN. THEY HAVE CHECKED THE VEHICLE, DRIVEN IT, CHECK FOR CODES AND HAVE FOUND NOTHING IN THREE DAYS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“5 JUNE 14: ENGINE DIED WHILE STOPPED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. RESTARTED IN PARK ON THIRD TRY. BRAKE AND CROSS TRAFFIC FAULT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. 7 JUNE 14: ENGINE DIED SECOND TIME AFTER ENTERING ENTRANCE STREET TO PARKING LOT AT 10 MPH. RESTARTED AFTER STOPPING AN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 79 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: WHILE DRIVING NEAR MY HOME THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITH NO WARNING AND THE SERVICE ADVANCETRAC MESSAGE CAME ON. I HAVE THE CAR EXACTLY 2 YEARS AND HAVE ONLY A LITTLE OVER 11,000 MILES ON IT! THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T ON A HIGHWAY AND I WAS ONLY BLOCKS FROM MY HOME. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V024000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN MARCH OF 2017. THE DEALER (TED BRITT FORD SALES, 11165 FAIRFAX BLVD, FAI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: SEPTEMBER 25, 2014 - WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR, THE "STOP CAR SAFETY NOW" WARNING CAME. I HAVE ABOUT 91,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MAPLECREST FORD LINCOLN. THEY HAVE CHECKED THE VEHICLE, DRIVEN IT, CHECK FOR CODES AND HAVE FOUND NOTHING IN THREE DAYS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, HIS FOOT WAS CAUGHT ON SOMETHING UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD WHILE HE WAS MOVING IT FROM THE ACCELERATOR TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE D
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)