NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 56 owner complaints for the 2009 Lincoln MKS. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (11) and service brakes (9). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, A LOUD METAL TO METAL NOISE WAS EMITTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE FRONT BRAKES, ROTORS AND THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,300. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.”
“The brakes keep failing on my 09 Lincoln mks. It has happen 4 times. Each time 4 different shops said the brake booster, abs system or master cylinder is bad. Have replaced each time and it will last 6 months and it the brakes will go bad again. A few times I was in traffic and couldn’t stop until the last minute luckily I haven’t ran into anyone yet . That’s a very scary situation. Yes I have took to a dealer and independent service centers. No it haven’t been inspected by manufacture no more than the dealership I got it from. No warnings or anything other than the brake paddle going all the way to then floor. I’ve also had problems with the sway bar. They have been replaced twice. I have been on many forums and even people I have ran into say their Lincoln is doing the same exact thing. Please we need answers”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED HIS WIFE THE DRIVER WAS AT A STOPPED SIGN AND WHILE PRECEDING INTO THE INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND WITHIN A FEW SECONDS A FIRE WAS STARTED. HOWEVER, THE FLAMES EXTINGUISHED THEMSELVES AND THE VEHICLE CABIN WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS WIFE'S RIGHT SIDE COAT SLEEVE WAS ON FIRE AND SHE WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HIS WIFE PATTED THE COAT SLEEVE TO EXTINGUISH THE COAT FLAMES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FIRE WAS STARTED DUE TO THE AIR BAGS GASES AS THE AIR BAGS EXPLODED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OR POLICE WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WENT TO URGENT CARE FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT DUE TO SHOULDER PAIN AND THE INJURIES TO HER WRIST FROM THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WAS SURPRISED THAT THE AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE CUT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AS HE HAD THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKS AWD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| MKS FWD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 56 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (11), service brakes (9), air bags (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2009 Lincoln MKS at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).