Is brake pedal sinks to floor or brakes stop working a known issue with the 2012 Lincoln Mkz?

10 NHTSA complaints have been filed about brake pedal sinks to floor or brakes stop working on the 2012 Lincoln Mkz (2018-11 → 2023-09). Reported component: SERVICE BRAKES. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11533180): "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" Source: NHTSA.

Is door latch fails to hold door closed or locked a known issue with the 2012 Lincoln Mkz?

5 NHTSA complaints have been filed about door latch fails to hold door closed or locked on the 2012 Lincoln Mkz (2016-07 → 2021-08). Reported component: STRUCTURE. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11014614): "DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH IS FAILED, IDENTICAL TO THE ACTIVE 2013-2014 MODEL YEARS FAILURE. DOOR WILL NOT SHUT PROPERLY, CANNOT BE LOCKED, AND OCCASIONALLY REQUIRES OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE TO OPEN THE DOOR" Source: NHTSA.

Is air bags did not deploy in a crash a known issue with the 2012 Lincoln Mkz?

3 NHTSA complaints have been filed about air bags did not deploy in a crash on the 2012 Lincoln Mkz (2018-03 → 2020-02). Reported component: AIR BAGS. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11309872): "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35- 40 MPH, LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WOODED ELECTRIC POLE, HOWEVER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY" Source: NHTSA.

2012 Lincoln Mkz Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

Q: Is power steering assist loss or fault a known issue with the 2012 Lincoln Mkz?

14 NHTSA complaints have been filed about power steering assist loss or fault on the 2012 Lincoln Mkz (2012-08 → 2025-11). Reported component: STEERING. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11568886): "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" Source: NHTSA.

Q: Is takata airbag recall parts unavailable or repair delayed a known issue with the 2012 Lincoln Mkz?

61 NHTSA complaints have been filed about takata airbag recall parts unavailable or repair delayed on the 2012 Lincoln Mkz (2017-03 → 2022-08). Reported component: AIR BAGS. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11444492): "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" Source: NHTSA.

The 2012 Lincoln Mkz carries 6 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering inflator module. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Power steering assist loss or fault.” Lincoln uses Ford's Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor: it tracks how the vehicle is actually driven and calls for oil service when needed — up to 10,000 miles or 12 months on normal duty, much sooner with towing or repeated short trips. EcoBoost-powered Aviators and Nautilus models are turbocharged: heat is their maintenance story, so oil quality and cooling-system health matter more than on the old naturally aspirated V8s. Traditional V8 Navigators and Town Cars are long-interval machines — 100,000-mile plugs — that mostly reward fluid discipline.

6 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #19V001000 · Jul 1, 2019

Issue: 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.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #18V775000 · Jan 11, 2018

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ vehicles that previously received a replacement passenger air bag under recall 16V-384, 17V-024 or 18V-046. In the event of a crash requiring deployment of the passenger air bag, the bracket that secures the air bag inflator to the module housing may deform, allowing the gas that inflates the air bag to leak out.

Risk: If the air bag does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S34.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #17V024000 · Oct 1, 2017

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in 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, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in 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." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle 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. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Campaign #15V340000 · Feb 6, 2015

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.

Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #21V158000 · Oct 3, 2021

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high 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: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #21E013000 · Feb 16, 2021

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2012 Lincoln Mkz.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 200…
View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Power steering assist loss or fault

STEERING

14 NHTSA complaints · 2012-08 → 2025-11

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11568886

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11436641

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10730157

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal sinks to floor or brakes stop working

SERVICE BRAKES

10 NHTSA complaints · 2018-11 → 2023-09

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11533180

“MY WIFE AND SON LEFT THE HOUSE IN OUR MKZ AND 1/2 MILE DOWN THE ROAD THE MKZ SUDDENLY LOST BRAKING CAPABILITY. MY WIFE HAD TO STEER UPHILL IN ORDER TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11403440

“WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS, BRAKE PEDAL SINKS TO THE FLOOR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP FOR LIGHTS, TRAFFIC, STOP SIGNS. STOPPING DISTANCE IS LONGER THAN EXPECTED UNTIL BRAKES FINALLY ENGAGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11150159

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Door latch fails to hold door closed or locked

STRUCTURE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2016-07 → 2021-08

“DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH IS FAILED, IDENTICAL TO THE ACTIVE 2013-2014 MODEL YEARS FAILURE. DOOR WILL NOT SHUT PROPERLY, CANNOT BE LOCKED, AND OCCASIONALLY REQUIRES OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE TO OPEN THE DOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11014614

“DOOR LATCH WILL NOT KEEP DOOR LOCKED. DOOR SOMETIMES WILL NOT CLOSE UNLESS A PERSON PLAYS WITH THE LATCH TO MANIPULATE THE HOOKS TO GET DOOR TO CLOSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11206753

“DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH, UNTIL I PULLED UP ON THE DOOR HANDLE AND STUCK A SCREWDRIVER IN LATCH AREA TO PULL LATCH TO OPEN POSITION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10891512

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata airbag recall parts unavailable or repair delayed

AIR BAGS

61 NHTSA complaints · 2017-03 → 2022-08

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11444492

“I RECEIVED A LETTER IN MARCH OF 2017 STATING THAT THERE WAS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL REGARDING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IN MY CAR. THE LETTER STATED THAT A RUPTURED INFLATOR MAY RESULT IN METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING VEHICLE OCCUPANTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11182537

“I WAS NOTIFIED IN JANUARY OF 2017 OF A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. SPECIFICALLY THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WERE THE SUPPLEMENTAL FRONTAL AIRBAGS ARE DESIGNED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11050908

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags did not deploy in a crash

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2018-03 → 2020-02

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35- 40 MPH, LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WOODED ELECTRIC POLE, HOWEVER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11309872

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE DRIVING 50 MPH, THERE WAS A TWO VEHICLE COLLISION AND ALL THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO STOP BUT IT CAUSED MULTIPLE COLLISIONS. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED HER BRAKE PEDAL HOWEVER SHE CRASHED INTO THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11243345

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11075962

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil-Life Monitor)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the Oil-Life Monitor calls it — up to 10,000 miles or 12 months. EcoBoost engines (Aviator 3.0T): use the specified synthetic and don't stretch the monitor; turbos cook marginal oil.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles. Heavy Navigators shift a lot of weight — even wear is a ride-quality item, not just a tire-budget item.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil service. Town Car livery duty and Navigator towing both count as severe service for brakes.

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped. (2004-era Town Cars predate cabin filters; modern Lincolns locate it behind the glovebox.)

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement

Every 100,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (OAT) on modern models: first change around 10 years / 200,000 miles per Ford, though shops commonly refresh by 100,000. Older green-coolant V8s: every 5 years. Never mix chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Feature-heavy Lincolns (air suspension compressors, power everything) expose weak batteries as electrical gremlins first.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

47 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

complaints mentioning a crash

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2012 Lincoln Mkz reflects Lincoln's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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