Is the 2010 Lincoln MKZ reliable?

The 2010 Lincoln MKZ has 197 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2010 Lincoln MKZ?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (96 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (40 complaints, avg repair $500); LIGHTING (11 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2010 Lincoln MKZ?

Yes, there are 9 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, EQUIPMENT. Contact any Lincoln dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Lincoln MKZ?

The 2010 Lincoln MKZ gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2010 Lincoln MKZ?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2010 Lincoln MKZ is approximately $1,821/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2010 Lincoln MKZ

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2010 Lincoln MKZ has 197 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 146. The most common issue is air bags problems (49% of all complaints), specifically: my 2010 lincoln mkz car was struck in the drivers door on 15 april 2011 by another car at an estimated 45 mph. side impact airbags failed to deploy resulting in driver and passenger being badly injured. both vehicles were totaled. *tr. There are 9 recalls issued for this model year.

21 crash reports 15 injuries

197

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

96 complaints

49%

• MY 2010 LINCOLN MKZ CAR WAS STRUCK IN THE DRIVERS DOOR ON 15 APRIL 2011 BY ANOTHER CAR AT AN ESTIMATED 45 MPH. SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY RESULTING IN DRIVER AND PASSENGER BEING BADLY INJURED. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED. *TR
• MY 2010 LINCOLN MKZ CAR WAS STRUCK DIRECTLY ON THE DRIVERS DOOR ON DECEMBER 29, 2014 BY ANOTHER CAR AT AN ESTIMATED 45 MPH. SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY RESULTING IN DRIVER BEING BADLY INJURED. THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON A CITY INTERSECTION WHERE THE OTHER DRIVER RAN A RED LIGHT.
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE PULLING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 6 crashes

“MY 2010 LINCOLN MKZ CAR WAS STRUCK IN THE DRIVERS DOOR ON 15 APRIL 2011 BY ANOTHER CAR AT AN ESTIMATED 45 MPH. SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY RESULTING IN DRIVER AND PASSENGER BEING BADLY INJURED. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Lincoln MKZ

Based on 95 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 66K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Reported earliermedian 44K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 67K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 56K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

In line with typicalmedian 56K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

High-mileage issuemedian 110K mi · 32 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (9)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE07/01/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Lincoln MKZ

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Lincoln MKZ

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,821

Full coverage / month

$152

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+9%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1821

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lincoln MKZ Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Complimentary maintenance for select models; check with your dealer for eligibility.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Lincoln New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Lincoln. If you're buying a used 2010 MKZ, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Lincoln dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 197 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: MY 2010 LINCOLN MKZ CAR WAS STRUCK IN THE DRIVERS DOOR ON 15 APRIL 2011 BY ANOTHER CAR AT AN ESTIMATED 45 MPH. SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY RESULTING IN DRIVER AND PASSENGER BEING BADLY INJURED. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE CAR'S REAR SENSORS SOUNDED. SINCE I THOUGHT THERE WAS STILL 3 OR 4 FEET OF SPACE TO A CHAIN LINK FENCE BEHIND THE CAR, I GOT OUT TO INVESTIGATE. THERE WAS ROOM, SO I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR & CONTINUED TO BACK UP SLOWLY WHILE LOOKING OUT THE OPEN DRIVER DOOR. WH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: I TOOK MY 2010 LINCOLN IN TO A LOCAL GARAGE FOR ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO BOTH REAR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT FUNCTIONING WHEN PARKING/HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. I THEN TOOK IT TO AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER. THEY ALSO FAILED IT FOR A SAFETY INSPECTION STICKER AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 9 recalls have been completed — free at any Lincoln dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)