Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 Lincoln MKZ problems

Owners filed 170 complaints about the 2010 Lincoln MKZ with NHTSA between Jun 2010 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (96).

Complaints
170
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
14
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags96
  2. Service brakes26
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic12
  4. Exterior lighting11
  5. Vehicle speed control10
  6. Electrical system10
  7. Engine5
  8. Power train4
  9. Structure4
  10. Seats3
  11. Service brakes, air2
  12. Latches/locks/linkages2
  13. Tires1
  14. Suspension1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20102
20113
20124
20134
20147
20155
20166
201745
201853
20193
202011
202115
20223
20234
20241
20252
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

96 reports6 crashes7 related recalls
“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2022Air bagsODI 11481725

Service brakes

26 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to slow as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the brake hoses and brake caliper hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2023Service brakes, air, Service brakesODI 11536906

Service brakes, hydraulic

12 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the tool to perform the recall remedy was unavailable. In addition, the contact stated that while attempting to decelerate, the brake pedal felt spongy and required excessive force to come to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, where diagnosis confirmed a Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) failure; however, repairs were denied due to a Valve Actuation Service test requirement. The contact stated that the failure posed potential safety issues during winter driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2026Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11771700

Exterior lighting

11 reports
“PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM GOES OFF WITH NO INDICATION DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER STOPPED OR MOVING. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT BACK ON IS TURN LIGHTS OFF AND TURN BACK ON BUT IT DOES IT REPEATEDLY PER TRIP. DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF THE CAR IS MOVING OR NOT. TOOK TO DEALER APPROX. THREE TIMES BUT COULD NOT FIND REASON FOR PROBLEM. DEALER SUGGESTED TO REPLACE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT COMPONENT AT A COST OF APPROXIMATE $3000. FIRST THE COST IS EXTREMELY HIGH, SECOND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NO ANSWER TO WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2020Exterior lightingODI 11328612

Vehicle speed control

10 reports9 crashes
“The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while in the car wash the transmission was shifted back to the Driver position when suddenly the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a pair of the iron post. During the crash, the front of the vehicle was severely damaged but the airbags did not deploy. The driver sustained a concussion, head laceration, neck, left leg, and right shoulder injuries which required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2022Air bags, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11470680

Electrical system

10 reports1 crash
“I traded in this 2010 Lincoln MKZ on November 24, 2018 at Classic Acura in Beaumont, Texas. Since that time I have contacted both Lincoln Motor Company by phone and email plus Kinsel Ford-Lincoln of Beaumont, Texas in person and by phone. These contacts were done multiple times and today I received another recall notice (19S54-ABS HCU Valve Concern (17X29) on the 2010 Lincoln that I no longer own. has not been keeping whoever is the new owner of the 2010 Lincoln MKZ advised of recalls.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 5, 2021Electrical system, Air bags, EngineODI 11427902
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.