Lincoln Mkz, 2008, has provided excellent service. The car looks and drives well. People are surprised to learn it's a 2008 and not newer. I like it's performance and body style since the day I bought it. I had decided to keep it, then this happened. The dashboard at the defrost vent started to buckle. The grille has cracked in several places and it's in view every time I drive the car. It's just not right, this car is in excellent condition inside and out except for the dashboard.

I have checked several places and there is no easy fix. I bought this car because I thought a lot of Lincolns. My Dad drove them for years and I wanted one one day. They were dependable, smooth riding cars. I'm disappointed that Lincoln did such a bad job here on such a fine car. Now I'm ashamed of my car and the fact that this is a problem with these cars and Lincoln will not stand by their reputation and fix this. I'm looking for a replacement, and it's not a Lincoln.

My MKZ now has 93K miles on it and I still have the peeling dash problem at the front defroster that others have described. Obviously, the application and material used by Lincoln was defective and substandard but I have zero hope that my dealer will do squat. After seeing the $2,000+ estimates for an entirely new dash, or temporary glue, etc, I have another idea.

I went to Hobby Lobby and bought some 4x2" Hook and Loop stick on fasteners by Sew-Ology. These are basically industrial strength (but thin, not bulky) velcro kits. My plan is to stick on the receiving halves to the solid base underneath (after cleaning and prepping thoroughly). Then cover those four rectangles with a cloth or something and apply the velcro halves to the underside of the peeling dash vinyl, carefully aligning them to their receiving halves. Then let both halves cure for 24 hours (the cloth will prevent them from adhering accidentally). Once cured, it's SHOWTIME. I simply press them all together and re-position the defroster vent into place. If you want to know if they'll stick tightly, buy a kit yourself and you'll be freakin' amazed at the grip on these things. With the AZ sun, I think this fix will be superior to another glue application.

The only rub on this whole plan is GETTING TO THE PROBLEM. There's that little problem of the windshield getting in the way for ingress to the affected area. But compared to $2,000 plus, I figure I'll just have to have a windshield company remove and then replace my windshield. What would that be, like $100 to $150 labor?

I've also thought about a dash cover but those are old fart hideous IMO, and if this works, not much cheaper.

I'll let this forum know how it goes and post some before/during/after pictures so you can possibly try it if it works like I think it will.

Update from Sep 18, 2018: Well, getting to the problem was still my problem. Turns out you can't just remove and replace the same windshield. They are glued in and will crack/break if removed. So I was waiting for enough chips or spiderwebs driving on our hideous Arizona freeways to have it replaced under my insurance ($0 glass deductible). That never had the chance, since my son drove the car into the ground by not checking the temp gauge. It overheated and the engine seized. Got $600 for the remains from Car Brain. C'est la vie.

This is so embarrassing my dash is warped and my defroster vent is broken into pieces, there is no fix at this point. Anything you place on the dash will slide under the warped dash and its off to the black hole. This is ridiculous I do not see a freaking recall, what the hell's up with Lincoln/Ford. Ain't nobody got time for that. Very ugly and now its getting so bad because I live in south Florida and the heat makes it worse. Its very hard to see the street or car in front of me when I'm parking or driving. Recall it already. JESUS FIX IT.

I bought this used for my elderly mother. This car is very disappointing when it pertains to the interior trim. This problem I have noticed is a very common problem in all of these models. Dealers have verified to me these models are defective in quality workmanship"unofficially" (because they feel like they will get in trouble). Almost all they get in for trade have numerous dash and interior trim problems.

I know Ford is not going to step up and fix or they would have done it by now. But I just want to go on record that I will not be purchasing any more Lincolns and I am quick to show and tell others who ask how well I like the car. I use to be a big Ford Motor Company fan but the reality is they have a track record of not taking responsibility for poor workmanship or defective products. I too am a business owner and I can not in good conscious let a customer have to deal with my mistakes or defective materials I chose, no matter what it costs me in time and money. I wish that was big business and Fords bottom line. I keep feeling bad I couldn't afford a fancy new car for my mom but it's worse now because it's a car that just plan looks bad and cheap.