The Lemon Index
2011
20131st generation
Better than average · most complaints: steering
19 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–38 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 BMW 3 Series 242012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 192012 Lexus IS 16
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2012 Lincoln MKZ
- Steering rack / power steering23 complaintsmostly at 38,000–129,000 miles (61,000–208,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 205 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Lincoln MKZ (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 18 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 21V158000 (airbags), 21E013000 (airbags) and 19V001000 (airbags) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Lincoln sent dealers 45 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “To help differentiate engine oil leaks from other possible sources, a new white-colored…”?
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 19 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 14K to 37K miles (23K to 60K km) on the car (18 of all 19 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.
In owners' words
Power steering quit with no warning and service advancetrac message came on. Ford says the rack and pinion steering needed to be replaced. Now I'm afraid to drive the car, no confidence in the quality and safety.
2012 Lincoln MKZ owner · NHTSA complaint 10543874
More owner reports
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.
NHTSA complaint 10608420
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 45 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- To help differentiate engine oil leaks from other possible sources, a new white-colored…
- Steering related noises
- On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- 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 2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 6 recalls
- 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 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Steering · recall issued 2015 Hybrid only
The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
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
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedElectric power steering failure2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln MKZ 4 DR AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Lincoln MKZ 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln MKZ Hev 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,600–$3,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Lincoln MKZ year. 2012 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 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-mkz/?y=2012" 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/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Lincoln MKZ reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Lincoln MKZ reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew a bit over half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 61; 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 2012 Lincoln MKZ problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (42%), engine (32%) and speed control (21%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Lincoln MKZ have?
6 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 2012 Lincoln MKZ get?
19 to 38 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Lincoln MKZ safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2012 Lincoln MKZ have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Lincoln MKZ cost in fuel a year?
About $1,600 to $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Lincoln MKZ have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Lincoln MKZ year is better than the 2012?
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