8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
118,000 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. timing chain replacement (1 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Lincoln MKZ:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #1

May 012025

MKZ V6, 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,000 miles

TIMING CHAIN ISSUE - incredibly expensive repair, and from the comments and reactions by three different mechanics that know Lincoln well, quite run of the mill as far as Lincoln is concerned.

This Lincoln MKZ has been exquisitely taken care of - low miles for its age, a constant maintenance schedule with all preventative maintenance performed under only 1 owner since the car was purchased brand new from the dealer.

The car started, slowly smoking from the bottom of the engine compartment as the car heated up from being on. This smoking was soon followed by a check engine light, a rattling sound during engine acceleration, and a noticeable drop in performance, almost sputtering and on the verge of a stall.

The diagnosis chain mechanism needs to be completely replaced. It has been commented that the entire line of FORD 3.5L V6 engines of this era are quite susceptible to these timing chain issues, most occurring around the 96,000 to 110,000 mile mark. To the point where more than one professional expressed surprise that FORD has not addressed the issue directly. - quite frustrating as I originally got the car on a lease, and loved it so much, and decided to extend the loan to purchase after the lease ended. I did a lot of research before doing so, and did not find out that there was this issue with this engine because FORD had never officially reported the flaw.

REPAIR CONST has been estimated at $ 6,500, so it is cost-prohibitive to perform. Now facing the expense of a total vehicle replacement/ new car.

- J B., Houston, TX, US