The Lemon Index
200820101st generation
5 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 BMW 3 Series 1222009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 452009 Lexus IS 75
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 21V158000 (airbags), 21V081000 (airbags) and 19V904000 (brakes) done? It has 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Do all the seat belts latch and retract?
- Lincoln sent dealers 15 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some 2007-2016 edge/mkx/flex/mkt/mkz/mks/taurus/taurus police/explorer/explorer police…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lincoln's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 5 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 15 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2007-2016 edge/mkx/flex/mkt/mkz/mks/taurus/taurus police/explorer/explorer police…
- The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing…
- Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and MKZ/Zephyr,…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute hu…
- Brakes · recall issued 2019
The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives.
Show all 7 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Equipment · recall issued 2014
The affected floor mats may move and possibly interfere with the accelerator pedal.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedExtended braking distance2018–2021
- ClosedFloor mat interference with accelerator2012–2014
- ClosedAccel pedal interference - acc floormat2010–2013
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850–$3,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Lincoln MKZ year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-mkz/?y=2009" title="Lincoln MKZ reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="399" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lincoln-mkz/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Lincoln MKZ reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Lincoln MKZ reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 5 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Lincoln MKZ problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (20%), tires (20%) and seat belts (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Lincoln MKZ have?
7 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Lincoln MKZ get?
19 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Lincoln MKZ have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Lincoln MKZ cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Lincoln MKZ have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Lincoln MKZ year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2011 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works