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2012 Lincoln Mkz Hybrid Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Lincoln Mkz Hybrid, most often about the steering (32% of complaints, typically around 63,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Mkz Hybrid model year since 2000.

Complaints59
Recalls0
Crashes reported1
Fires reported0
Injuries reported0

Most common 2012 Lincoln Mkz Hybrid problems

  1. Steering

    19 complaints · 32%

    Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles.

    The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln Mkz Hybrid. The contact stated that the power steering assist malfunctioned and caused the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. Also, 'service advancetrac' and 'service steering assist' were displayed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 60,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln Mkz Hybrid. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to reverse, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, and the vehicle displayed a message stating "electric power steering assist fault". The eps warning light was illuminated.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2023, at 66,000 miles

  2. Air bags

    17 complaints · 29%

    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 should be fixed before…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 130,000 miles
    I have received safety recall notice with a fault in airbag inflator. Its been 9 months and car manufacturer doesn't have a remedy. In future if there is collision then this vehicle driver risks a serious physical injury. I would like NHTSA facilitate a speedier replacement of the defective part.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 70,500 miles

  3. Electrical

    8 complaints · 14%

    Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles.

    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 of checking. They told…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 91,000 miles
    While driving there is a large pop sound and then extreme static / "white noise" that comes through the speaker system even if the audio is turned off. It will periodically do this off and on and is extremely loud and distracting while driving. Also because it is so sporadic and the pop and static noise is never known…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 63,000 miles

  4. Brakes

    6 complaints · 10%

    Half of these problems showed up before 45,500 miles. Parts named most often: pedals and linkages.

    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. Steering gear. Computer should show you warning but not shut vehicle down loosing breaking and steering. If there had…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 37,000 miles
    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 defect. The failure…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 23,300 miles

  5. Engine

    6 complaints · 10%

    Half of these problems showed up before 57,500 miles.

    While driving 55 MPH on highway, red triangle with "!" in the middle with text "stop safely now" appeared on dashboard. At the same time the engine shut off (along with the air conditioner and radio). The car would not restart in neutral. I had to coast to the shoulder of the highway to stop, put the car in park, turn…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 56,115 miles
    Driving on interstate at 70 MPH in heavy traffic with cruise control engaged. Power cut out and car slowed down rapidly. Throttle pedal was inoperative with total loss of power. Coasted to side of road while dodging semi-trucks. Shut car off and power reset. Was able to continue to destination. The car lost power…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 59,000 miles

  6. Other or unspecified

    6 complaints · 10%

    While driving 55 MPH on highway, red triangle with "!" in the middle with text "stop safely now" appeared on dashboard. At the same time the engine shut off (along with the air conditioner and radio). The car would not restart in neutral. I had to coast to the shoulder of the highway to stop, put the car in park, turn…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 56,115 miles
    Attempted to get out of the car and the drivers side door would not open. Shut the car off, turned it back on. Hit the lock and unlock button several times and still could not get out of the vehicle. Eventually had to open it from the outside.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 52,000 miles

  7. Body and structure

    4 complaints · 7%

    Parts named most often: body.

    Attempted to get out of the car and the drivers side door would not open. Shut the car off, turned it back on. Hit the lock and unlock button several times and still could not get out of the vehicle. Eventually had to open it from the outside.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 52,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln Mkz Hybrid. The contact stated that while pulling on the drivers side front door handle, there was a snap on the inside of the door and it was difficult to open the door. The contact also stated that when the door was secured, in order to exit the lock button was pulled up and the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 64,000 miles

  8. Fuel system

    3 complaints · 5%

    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 of checking. They told…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 91,000 miles
    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.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 60,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2012 Lincoln Mkz Hybrid recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2012 Lincoln Mkz Hybrid

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Lincoln Mkz Hybrid?
By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (19 complaints, typically around 63,000 miles); air bags (17 complaints); electrical (8 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2012 Lincoln Mkz Hybrid have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2012 Lincoln Mkz Hybrid. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2012 a bad year for the Lincoln Mkz Hybrid?
It is the most complained-about Mkz Hybrid model year since 2000, with 59 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Lincoln Mkz Hybrid years

Lincoln Mkz Hybrid problems by year