2012 Lincoln MKZ Problems: 4 Known Issues

2012 Lincoln MKZ Problems: 4 Known Issues | Au7o

NHTSA Recalls27 recalls

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.

Campaign #19V63200029/08/2019

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.

Campaign #18V16700012/03/2018

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured November 2, 2012, to July 31, 2014, and 2013-2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 14, 2012, to July 31, 2014. In the event of a crash, heat from the deployment of a seat belt pretensioner may cause a front seat belt anchor cable to fail.

Campaign #16V87500005/12/2016

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Fiesta, 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Campaign #17V21000027/03/2017

AIR BAGS

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured January 19, 2012, to November 21, 2013; Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to August 24, 2013; Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to November 1, 2013; and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to September 30, 2013. The coating on portions of the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may crack, and when exposed to humidity, circuits on the printed circuit board may short.

Campaign #14V59700026/09/2014

+ 22 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov

Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Lincoln MKZ problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2012 Lincoln MKZ has 4 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: MKZ 3.5L Duratec V6 Internal Water Pump Leak, MKZ EPS Loss of Assist (NHTSA Recall 15V-340 / Ford 15S18), Takata Airbag Inflator Rupture (Driver and Passenger). Of these, 3 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Lincoln MKZ reliable?

The 2012 Lincoln MKZ has 4 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 3 issues are rated critical: MKZ 3.5L Duratec V6 Internal Water Pump Leak and MKZ EPS Loss of Assist (NHTSA Recall 15V-340 / Ford 15S18) and Takata Airbag Inflator Rupture (Driver and Passenger). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Lincoln MKZ problems?

Repair costs for known Lincoln MKZ issues range from $0 to $4,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, MKZ 3.5L Duratec V6 Internal Water Pump Leak, typically costs $1,500-$4,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ MKZ 3.5L Duratec V6 Internal Water Pump Leak?

The 3.5L Duratec V6 in 2007-2012 MKZ (and shared Edge, Taurus, Flex, Explorer) uses a water pump driven internally by the timing chain. When the pump shaft seal fails, coolant leaks into the oil pan rather than externally — owners often see no leak before catastrophic oil contami… Repairs typically run $1,500-$4,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2011-2012 Lincoln MKZ MKZ EPS Loss of Assist (NHTSA Recall 15V-340 / Ford 15S18)?

Ford issued NHTSA recall 15V-340 (Ford reference 15S18) for 2011-2012 Fusion and MKZ to address sudden loss of electric power steering assist. Root cause: intermittent electrical connections in the steering gear motor due to conformal coat contamination and ribbon-cable pin misal… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

What is the 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ Takata Airbag Inflator Rupture (Driver and Passenger)?

First-generation MKZ models (2007-2012, plus the Zephyr) use Takata ammonium-nitrate airbag inflators that can degrade after prolonged exposure to heat and humidity. A degraded inflator can rupture during deployment in a crash, sending metal fragments toward occupants and causing… Severity: high.

What is the 2010-2016 Lincoln MKZ Harsh / Delayed Automatic Transmission Shifting (6F35)?

MKZ models with the 6F35 6-speed automatic commonly exhibit harsh or delayed engagement, a bump or slip on takeoff, and sluggish acceleration from 0-5 mph. A known cause is a 6F35 valve body design flaw addressed by a Ford TSB that modifies the valve body separator plate (deletin… Repairs typically run $300-$2,500. Severity: medium.

2012 Lincoln MKZ Problems: 4 Known Issues

All 4 Known Issues

2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ: MKZ 3.5L Duratec V6 Internal Water Pump Leak#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What you need to fix it

Research This Issue

2011-2012 Lincoln MKZ: MKZ EPS Loss of Assist (NHTSA Recall 15V-340 / Ford 15S18)#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

Research This Issue

2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ: Takata Airbag Inflator Rupture (Driver and Passenger)#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

Research This Issue

2010-2016 Lincoln MKZ: Harsh / Delayed Automatic Transmission Shifting (6F35)#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What you need to fix it

Research This Issue

Other Lincoln Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Lincoln MKZ problems?

Is the Lincoln MKZ reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Lincoln MKZ problems?

What is the 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ MKZ 3.5L Duratec V6 Internal Water Pump Leak?

What is the 2011-2012 Lincoln MKZ MKZ EPS Loss of Assist (NHTSA Recall 15V-340 / Ford 15S18)?

What is the 2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ Takata Airbag Inflator Rupture (Driver and Passenger)?

What is the 2010-2016 Lincoln MKZ Harsh / Delayed Automatic Transmission Shifting (6F35)?