2012 Lincoln Mkz: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2012 Lincoln Mkz? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 146 complaints, with Airbag Malfunctions as the top reported area.
2012 Lincoln Mkz Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2012 Lincoln Mkz trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
2012 Lincoln Mkz Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2012 Lincoln MKZ 4 DR AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
9.2% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
9.2% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2012 Lincoln Mkz has 146 owner complaints, 10 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Airbag Malfunctions. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Lincoln
- Model
- Mkz
- Model year
- 2012
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 146
- Crash-related complaints
- 10
- Safety recall campaigns
- 6
- Top reported component
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 21
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 18 / 27
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 3/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 5/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2012 Lincoln Mkz Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Airbag Malfunctions
Uncategorized Issues
Steering Defects
Complaint patterns center on Airbag Malfunctions, Uncategorized Issues, Steering Defects. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2012 Lincoln Mkz?
The 2012 Lincoln Mkz shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2012 Lincoln Mkz
Inspection Focus
- Inspect airbag system and verify no open recalls related to airbags.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for steering and brake components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect airbag system and verify no open recalls related to airbags.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for steering and brake components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2012 Lincoln Mkz, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2012 Lincoln MKZ are concentrated in airbag malfunctions, which account for a substantial portion of the total. Other notable areas include steering defects and brake system issues. The data suggests potential concerns with safety-related components, though the confidence level is low.
- Airbag malfunctions represent the most frequently reported component issue.
- Steering defects and brake system problems each account for a similar number of complaints.
- There are 10 crash-related complaints among the total 146.
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Steering Defects
- Brake System
All 2012 Lincoln Mkz Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Lincoln Mkz. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 68 | 4 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 22 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 20 | 5 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 20 | 2 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 10 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 9 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Firerelated | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Lincoln Mkz. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to steer in either direction. No warning light was illuminated. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact stated that…
My car has lost powering steering three times now. I have replaced the rack and pinion module twice and I’m fixing to a third time. This has happened all within the last 3.5 years
I became the owner of a 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid in 2016. At first there was no issues. Roughly a couple of months later, there was a power steering issue- so the car was driven to Ford with great difficulty where they reset the sensor or something and the power steering was worki…
Power steering control module stop working. Ford is aware of this issue and refusing to classify it as a recall. Vehicle inoperable at 83k miles.
While driving I noticed that at times my steering wheel would be difficult to turn. At first, the problem seemed small until I was trying to make a left turn on a very busy 4-lane road, and without warning the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. I narrowly avoided being…
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he observed abnormal soft feedback from the brake pedal and that the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard before bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. No warning lights were …
My brakes stopped working with no warning while driving. All of the brake related lights came on and the pedal went to the floor and I was unable to stop the car. This is a safety issue for the driver and everyone else because there seems to be no warning that the brakes will sto…
i cannot open the front drivers side door from the inside... it is as if the latch became disconnected
I was driving and all of a sudden break light came on service break system came on all at one time I never had a problem with this never got a warning before hand , I couldn’t stop the car, break pedal literally on the floor, almost hit 2 cars trying to stop the vehicle, I have b…
Breaks suddenly stopped working. Lights on dash including ABS came on. Car would not stop until pedal pressed almost to floor. Almost as quickly it started working again and our mechanic can not reproduce it. There a number (17) of other complaints describing the problem with mo…
There have been several occasions now where I go to brake and there is no brake! My foot goes all the way down to the floor. This can happen at a steady speak of 50 or at 10 miles an hour. It is very scary and very dangerous. I have had to use my emergency brake to stop the c…
On August 30, 2022, upon traveling home from Palm Springs airport, I stopped at a restaurant in Morongo Valley. As I was eating, someone said that a car was on fire under the hood. The fire department jawed up the hood and put the fire out under the hood. The police and the fire …
After getting an oil change and battery software update, I headed home. Before arriving home the warning light to service Power steering and traction control came on. Returned to dealer, they said the power steering needed to be calibrated. Left and before making it home power st…
Took the car to the dealer to have the driver airbag inflator replaced when it says here there are no parts available yet the dealer fixed something? The dashboard airbag light never went out!!
I was notified April 2021, that my vehicle had an airbag safety recall repair. To date, I have not been notified to bring my vehicle in for the repair to be performed. The parts were to be in the third quarter of 2021, I have been patient. But, this recall addresses the driver…
The middle rear seat belt became stuck around my child and could not be removed. It progressively became tighter and tighter as we tried to unbuckle it. Ultimately the seatbelt needed to be cut off
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time …
While traveling at approximately 22 mph I entered a roundabout when the steering wheel pulled out of my hand and the car was no longer turning, but going straight towards another car that was waiting to enter the roundabout. The car no longer had power steering but I was able to …
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the power steering assist fault message intermittently appeared on the instrument panel. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle resume normal operation. Recently, the contact stated…
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE OF CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY FACTOR IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. NOT ABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE - HAD TO ROLL WINDOW DOWN AND OPEN FROM HANDLE ON OUTSIDE OF CAR. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. Note There is at least one other report of …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2012 Lincoln Mkz.
2012 Lincoln Mkz Recalls
6 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2012 Lincoln Mkz. 6 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2012 Lincoln Mkz Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2012 Lincoln Mkz reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 146 owner complaints, 10 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2012 Lincoln Mkz shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Lincoln Mkz?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (68 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (22 complaints). #3: Steering Defects (20 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Lincoln Mkz?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2012 Lincoln Mkz?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2012 Lincoln Mkz, NHTSA complaints include 10 crash-related reports and 2 fire reports out of 146 total complaints. 9 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2012 Lincoln Mkz have any recalls?▾
Yes. 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2012 Lincoln Mkz. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 6 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2012 Lincoln Mkz?▾
The 2012 Lincoln Mkz shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Airbag Malfunctions during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Lincoln Mkz reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2012 Lincoln Mkz based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.