The Lemon Index
200920111st generation
Better than average · most complaints: speed control
Better years to buy
13 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2010 BMW 3 Series 322010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 262010 Lexus IS 39
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 13 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 21V158000 (airbags), 21E013000 (airbags) and 21V081000 (airbags) done? It has 9 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the seats adjust, heat and lock in place properly?
- Lincoln sent dealers 28 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and MKZ/Zephyr,…”?
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 13 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 →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 20K to 45K miles (32K to 72K km) on the car (13 of all 13 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 28 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and MKZ/Zephyr,…
- Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr,…
- Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 9
- 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
Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers.
- 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…
Show all 9 recalls
- Brakes · recall issued 2019
The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives.
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
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.
- 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 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
- ClosedElectric power steering failure2014–2015
- 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. 2010 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 2010 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-mkz/?y=2010" 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/2010/">Lemon Index</a> (2010 Lincoln MKZ reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2010 Lincoln MKZ reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 51; 100 is average, lower is better). The Lincoln MKZ year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2010 Lincoln MKZ problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (38%), electrical (31%) and seats (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Lincoln MKZ have?
9 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 2010 Lincoln MKZ get?
19 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2010 Lincoln MKZ have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2010 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 2010 Lincoln MKZ have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Lincoln MKZ year is better than the 2010?
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