10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,028 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #18

Nov 082021

MKZ

  • miles
While making a right turn into Walmart parking lot, car was suddenly very difficult to turn. We almost hit the car in the lane next to us. We had to back up into the main road and risked a collision there as well just to pull into the parking lot. Like the power steering went out. Just a mile before that turn we made a turn and had no issue. Highway driving is okay, it is just difficult to steer in low speed city driving conditions. I had a mechanic look at it. he could not find anything wrong so we flushed the power steering with fresh fluid. It did not seam to help. He concluded that the electric assist is probably what failed. We looked this up, and it is a common problem with this model year MKZ and a recall has been out for this. But, for some reason my car does not pull up this recall.

- Mcpherson, KS, USA

problem #17

Aug 312021

MKZ

  • miles
Seconds after starting and driving approx 200 feet my, 2011 Lincoln Mkz hybrid, cars power steering stop working. On the message center on the dash lite up listing the power steering assist failure in red letters. I stopped turn the key off restarted the car upon steering was normal, this has happened 4 times in the last two months, I had the Ford dealer, "mullahey Ford" in arroyo grande look at it. He stated that no codes came up so they would not do any repairs, we purchased a full warranty, $3500 for repairs but he wasnt willing to repair it since no codes arose on the cars computer.

- Arroyo Grande, CA, USA

problem #16

Jan 292021

MKZ

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln Mkz hybrid. The contact stated while making a turn from a stop sign, the steering wheel became hard to maneuver. As a result, the vehicle was hit on the front passenger side by another vehicle. The contact stated that the front passenger side air bag deployed injuring his girlfriend. His girlfriend sustained cuts to the stomach as the contact stated it seemed that metal shrapnel had deployed from the air bag. The passenger in the rear middle also sustained injuries to the hip. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The contact stated prior to the collision, he contacted St auto sales Inc (4545 glenwood rd, Decatur, ga) to make them aware of the steering wheel failure. The contact stated that they advised him to add steering fluid to the reservoir. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnosis after the collision. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #15

Dec 262020

MKZ

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln Mkz. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the power steering became inoperable. The power steering sensor light, stability control light and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to be started. Central Florida Lincoln (2055 w colonial dr, orlando, fl 32804, (407) 841-4550) stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering). The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.

- Apoka, FL, USA

problem #14

Mar 192020

MKZ

  • 68,000 miles
Steering on vehicle went out in mid March 2020 due to recall on Lincoln Mkz. Vehicle has been back to dealer three times for an extended amount of time twice with no rental vehicle. Need to use this car to go out of town after the dealer informed me the car sits and waits for a response form Lincoln hotline most of the time. Need to use this car to go out of town Lincoln advised they would not extend me any time of rental or reimbursement for this issue which is a recall that can not be repaired correctly and has left me with out my vehicle for multiple weeks. Lincoln case # [xxx]. the supervisor from Lincoln called me said she really was not familiar with my case and then told me the car went in for recall in Jan and I had to correct her. She had no real facts and the employee was better than the supervisor because she told me sorry [xxx] to many times. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Huntley, IL, USA

problem #13

Oct 262019

MKZ

  • 131,800 miles
The first time it happened was while driving when my wheel locked up and I was unable to turn it at all. It happened again after gas at a gas station, I was stationary but the steering wheel still locked up.

- Pennsauken, NJ, USA

problem #12

Sep 222019

MKZ

  • 133,000 miles
While driving the car send a fault code of service power steering and loss of power steering happens immediately. Took the car to the dealership they said they fixed the issue (replaced power steering motor and reprogrammed). Picked up the car and within 16 hours as I was making a turn the same issue happened. The car is currently still at the dealership with no solution to the problem. There seems to be a recall out for 2011 Mkz for this reason but for some reason my car VIN doesn't pull up that recall.

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #11

Aug 282019

MKZ

  • 101,069 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln Mkz. When attempting to move the vehicle into the left lane, a beeping sound was heard and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. In addition, the check engine, power steering service now, and advancetrac system indicators illuminated. The contact was able to drive to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the electric power assist and steering gear failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 101,069.

- Rosenburg, OR, USA

problem #10

Jun 012018

MKZ 4-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln Mkz. Upon starting the vehicle, the steering fault warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was then shifted into drive and the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering) at cherry Ford (363 harlem ave, peotone, il), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle as the symptoms recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact was informed that the recall repair corrected the failure. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000. Updated 9/24/18

- Chicago Heights, IL, USA

problem #9

Sep 042017

MKZ

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln Mkz. While driving 15 mph, the steering column seized and required additional effort to operate the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to norm reeves Ford superstore (18900 studebaker rd, cerritos, ca), but the failure could not be replicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

- Los Alamitos, CA, USA

problem #8

Jun 092016

MKZ

  • 70,578 miles
I had heard a wheezing noise in the front end so I took the car to my mechanic. He was unable to find a problem. A week after while driving the car I was driving and as I turned the car completely shut down. Two days later it began to not drive properly I took the car back to the mechanic and said I had a bad sensor but the water pump was going bad. He stated it shouldn't go bad in this newer of a car. My car has been undrivable ever since. I've called around to get it fixed as though it seems nobody has the proper tools to fix this issue due to the fact the whole engine needs to be removed to fix the problem.

- Dumfries, VA, USA

problem #7

Mar 042016

MKZ

  • 114,000 miles
We purchased the vehicle on the test-drive requested that the dealership address the front-end noise. Have taken the vehicle 3 separate times for repair of the front-end noise. After 3rd time at repair by dealer, discovered the 'noise' was the right front strut and ball joint failure. The dealership we purchased vehicle did not consider this a safety issue. You could take the right-front tire and shake from side-to-side with all tires on the ground. We have had to spend over $2000 and have not been able to drive a new car before the 30 tag expired.

- Benson, NC, USA

problem #6

Nov 052015

MKZ

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln Mkz. The contact stated that the steering wheel was making an abnormal noise and seized intermittently without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer over five times where the failure was unable to be replicated. The steering wheel continued to vibrate excessively. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who had the vehicle for an extended period but was not able to provide a permanent remedy for the condition. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Mcallen, TX, USA

problem #5

Mar 262015

MKZ 4-cyl

  • 74,500 miles
While driving 35 mph in good, dry, weather, the dashboard warning "service power steering" appeared then the "advance trac off" dashboard signal appeared. The car was parked, turned off, then when the car was turned on again, the power steering was absent and the warning lights reappeared, this time as "service power steering now". steering the car was possible but very difficult. The power steering remained non-functional until the car was diagnosed by the dealer, although no work or outcome was reported by the dealer. Actually, the dealer recommended that the rack and pinion system be replaced. The suggested work was declined and when the car was returned, the power steering was working and the dashboard warning "service power steering now" was off, although the "advance trac off" signal remained until 4 minutes later while driving on the highway.

- Vestavia Hills, AL, USA

problem #4

Feb 072015

MKZ 6-cyl

  • 19,201 miles
False advertising. Misleading and false information on vehicle purchase bait and switch. Auto fraud dealer road runner auto sales Inc 24560 taylor Michigan 48180 sales manager [xxx] scammers salvaged vehicles not disclosed at time of purchase and false information or document stating that car is free of damages. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Dearborn Heights , MI, USA

problem #3

Oct 062014

MKZ 6-cyl

  • 39,000 miles
I drive a 2011 Lincoln Mkz and today I had a bit of a problem. A coworker of mine needed to be taken to a Hyundai dealership so that she may pick up her vehicle for some servicing that she had done, and during my attempt at parking I lost my power steering. At first I couldn't move the car so I had put my vehicle in park and then I turned it off. I had turned to my coworker and she had noticed my difficulty steering. I had then started my car once again and tried to park but this time I was capable of steering. The number of turns it took to actually steer were far beyond the usual and it was coupled with a chatter that I both could feel and hear. Luckily I opted for a warrant that included roadside assistance and I had my vehicle towed to the dealer. I've yet to receive any sort reply from my dealer and I will surely keep the appropriate authorities notified.

- Abingdon, MD, USA

problem #2

Aug 042014

MKZ 6-cyl

  • 23,000 miles
Steering is very heavy and sometimes fails completely especially when slowing down to a stop. It is most pronounced when slowing into a curve. The power steering pump also becomes noticeably louder. This is an ongoing problem since buying the car 2 months ago.

- Vallejo, CA, USA

problem #1

Mar 152011

MKZ 6-cyl

  • 359 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln Mkz. The contact stated that the vehicle drifted to the left abnormally. The contact stated that the failure would occur most frequently when traveling at highway speeds of 60 mph and above. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who was unable to locate a failure within the steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was approximately 4,000 and the failure mileage was 359. Updated 06/0611 updated 1/24/2012

- Gross Pointe Park, MI, USA