2012 Lincoln MKZ
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Lincoln MKZ has 176 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 146. The most common issue is air bags problems (39% of all complaints), specifically: i fully stopped in a parking place where i use to go every monday to pick up kids from a dancing school. after i fully stopped and try to put the clutch on p the car accelerated by itself. i went trough a building and as i tried to control the car i was trying to put in p and i was not able. i k. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.
176
Total Complaints
6
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
1.2x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
AIR BAGS
68 complaints- • I FULLY STOPPED IN A PARKING PLACE WHERE I USE TO GO EVERY MONDAY TO PICK UP KIDS FROM A DANCING SCHOOL. AFTER I FULLY STOPPED AND TRY TO PUT THE CLUTCH ON P THE CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. I WENT TROUGH A BUILDING AND AS I TRIED TO CONTROL THE CAR I WAS TRYING TO PUT IN P AND I WAS NOT ABLE. I K
- • TRAVELING N ON 95 JUST BEYOND RICHMOND VA ON 11/26/16 TRAFFIC CAME TO A STOP AND I WAS ATTENTIVE AND RECOGNIZED THE NEED TO BRAKE QUICKLY. THE CAR INITIALLY SLOWED BUT DID NOT RESPOND FURTHER TO APPLYING BRAKES. I REAR ENDED A JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. MAJOR DAMAGE TO MY CAR - MINIMAL TO THE JEEP. AIRB
- • TAKATA RECALL. I GOT A RECALL NOTICE FROM LINCOLN, BUT YOUR SITE SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL.
“I FULLY STOPPED IN A PARKING PLACE WHERE I USE TO GO EVERY MONDAY TO PICK UP KIDS FROM A DANCING SCHOOL. AFTER I FULLY STOPPED AND TRY TO PUT THE CLUTCH ON P THE CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. I WENT TROUGH A BUILDING AND AS I TRIED TO CONTROL THE CAR I WAS TRYING TO PUT IN P AND I WAS NOT ABLE. I K”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2012 Lincoln MKZ
Based on 97 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 54K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.
STEERING
ENGINE
AIR BAGS
OTHER
BODY/STRUCTURE
ELECTRICAL
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 (6)
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 2012 Lincoln MKZ
Live EIA pricesBased 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 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Lincoln MKZ
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Lincoln MKZ Service Intervals
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
These are the terms for a new Lincoln. If you're buying a used 2012 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
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 176 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐AIR BAGS: I FULLY STOPPED IN A PARKING PLACE WHERE I USE TO GO EVERY MONDAY TO PICK UP KIDS FROM A DANCING SCHOOL. AFTER I FULLY STOPPED AND TRY TO PUT THE CLUTCH ON P THE CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. I WENT TROUGH A BUILDING AND AS I TRIED TO CONTROL THE CAR I WAS TRYING TO PUT IN P AND I WAS NOT ABLE. I K
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: I GOT TO WORK AND I COULDN'T OPEN MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR TO EXIT THE CAR. I TRIED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING, USING THE KEY FAB TO LOCK AND UNLOCK AND EVENTUALLY I HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE PASSENGER SEAT AND EXIT VIA THE PASSENGER DOOR.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 15 MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN POWER STEERING FROZE. WARNING LIGHT "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC" AND "POWER STEERING FAILURE CAME ON. I TURNED CAR OFF AND ON AND STEERING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. TWO DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE CAR. THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Lincoln dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Lincoln MKZ — Year Comparison
How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 176
- Recalls
- 6
- Fire reports
- 5
- Crash reports
- 14
- Injury reports
- 11
- Segment avg
- 146
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2012 Lincoln MKZ