43 of the
2,025 complaints filed about the Lincoln MKZ
are about the throttle and cruise control —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2010.
43
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
22
Crashes
1
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
2017 Lincoln MKZ was taken to Community Ford Lincoln of Bloomington (Auto Vest II LLC), Bloomington, IN for service on 05/01/2026. No ABS, Traction Control, or AdvanceTrac warning lights were present at drop-off. After the vehicle was returned, all three warning lights were illuminated. The ABS/stability control system had been damaged during the service visit. Diagnostic codes C0031:07 and C0031:15 (left front wheel speed sensor circuit fault) were confirmed in writing by the dealership service manager on 06/09/2026. The dealership denied responsibility. An independent Ford/Lincoln dealer (Tom Roush Lincoln) estimated repair at $310. The servicing dealer offered only partial reimbursement of $169.45. The ABS and stability control systems are safety-critical. Their failure compromises emergency braking performance and vehicle stability, putting driver and other road users at risk. The vehicle has been unavailable for normal use since [XXX]. The problem was confirmed by an independent Lincoln dealership. The vehicle is available for inspection. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11745133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am submitting this complaint to report a serious vehicle safety incident involving my 2017 Lincoln MKZ Select that resulted in a catastrophic engine fire while the vehicle was in operation. Prior to the incident, the vehicle underwent a long block engine replacement performed by Murgado Ford Lincoln of Chicago pursuant to Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 22-2229. The repair involved removal and replacement of the engine assembly and related components. After the vehicle was returned to me following this repair, the engine later experienced a sudden catastrophic mechanical failure while I was driving. The vehicle rapidly began emitting smoke from the engine compartment and subsequently caught fire. The fire escalated quickly and rendered the vehicle a total loss. At the time of the incident, the vehicle was being operated under normal driving conditions. There was no collision or external cause that would have triggered the fire. The event appears to have originated within the engine compartment following the recent engine replacement. The vehicle was subsequently towed and is currently stored at City of Chicago Auto Pound No. 6 following the fire incident. The vehicle has not been repaired or altered since the event and remains available for inspection. Given that this vehicle had recently undergone a major engine replacement under a manufacturer technical service bulletin, I believe the circumstances warrant review to determine whether the incident may be related to: a defect in the replacement engine assembly improper installation of the engine or related components fuel, oil, or electrical system issues associated with the repair. This incident presented a serious safety risk to the driver and could have resulted in severe injury or loss of life. I was fortunate to escape the vehicle safely before the fire fully developed. I am submitting this complaint so that NHTSA may evaluate whether this type of failure represents a broader safety concern.
NHTSA complaint #11723491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The transmission is slipping my car is only has 53,000 miles on it, the radio doesn’t work I had to pay over $1000 to fix the trunk latch and my brakes are fine but not working properly
NHTSA complaint #11717970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased a 2017 Lincoln MKZ Select which has been a continuous source of mechanical problems. After recently having a new engine installed, the vehicle has now developed significant transmission issues, making it unsafe and difficult to drive. Despite being sold this car under the assumption it was reliable, I am struggling with costly repairs and reduced functionality, effectively driving a “lemon.” I believe the vehicle’s condition and recurring failures qualify it for protection under consumer lemon laws or warranties, and I am seeking resolution or compensation due to these defects that have severely impacted the vehicle’s usability and my safety.
NHTSA complaint #11679635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic signal with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to approximately 10 MPH and crashed into the rear of the vehicle in front of her. The contact's vehicle crashed two times into the rear of the other vehicle. The contact said she was able to place the vehicle in park (P) and turned it off. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the front bumper had nearly detached, the front grill was fractured, and the headlights were not broken. The vehicle the contact crashed into had dents and scratches on the rear bumper, all rear lights were intact. The contact stated that both vehicles were drivable and drove away from the scene of the crash. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11496150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11470680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CAR IN QUESTION: 2011 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID, 163,287 KM (101,484 MILES). DRIVING ON A CITY STREET ALL OF THE SUDDEN WARNING LIGHTS COME ON: ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, GIANT WRENCH, P/BRAKE LIGHT, SERVICE ADVANCETRAC. BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, I BLEW A STOP SIGN, AS CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN, BUT THAN JUST ROLLED THRU THE INTERSECTION. HAD TO USE A PARKING BRAKE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN I WAS LOOKING FOR A SAFE SPOT TO PULL OVER. HAD TO REPLACE HYDRAULIC CONTROL MODULE AND ABS MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #11286485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CARVANA STATES "THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO EMAIL US ABOUT YOUR RECENT VEHICLE PURCHASE! CARVANA TAKES PRIDE IN THE VEHICLES THAT WE PROVIDE AND SELL TO EVERY CUSTOMER. PER OUR STANDARDS, WE COMPLETE A 150 POINT INSPECTION OF EVERY VEHICLE HOWEVER THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. I HAD SO MANY ISSUES FROM TRANSMISSION FAILURE, SPEAKERS NOT WORKING, SPEED ISSUES WITH CAR NOT ACCELERATING TO TIRES NOT BEING THE CORRECT ONES SO I WOULD SLIDE ON RAINING DAYS AND ALMOST CRASH ON 3 OCCASIONS.
NHTSA complaint #11277159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED. ALSO, WHEN THE BRAKE AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT THE SAME TIME, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JACK DEMMER LINCOLN (21531 MICHIGAN AVE, DEARBORN, MI 48124, (313) 274-8800) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ONLY WAY THE VEHICLE COULD BE DIAGNOSED WAS IF THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE AT THE DEALER. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,273 AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. *TT
NHTSA complaint #11176467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
"TAKATA RECALL" COMING OF HIGWAY ON RAMP CAR ACCELERATED TIRES FELT LIKE THEY WERE GONNA COME OFF ENGINE LIGHT BLINKED THEN DASHBOARD WENT OUT THEN LOSS OF POWER. SO TIRED OF THIS CAR BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND THE ONLY RECALL I GET IS POWER STEERING. MY DOOR LOCK AND WINDOW ON DRIVER SIDE IS NOT WORKING AGAIN!!!~THE DOOR AND WINDOW WERE ALREADY BROKE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH EACH OTHER. SHOULD BE A LAW AGAINST LEMONS.. ONE BIG MONEY BAG!!!
NHTSA complaint #11143595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE DRIVING ON A ROCKY DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED TO THE LEFT AND ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BACK AND SPINAL PAIN. A FOUR YEAR OLD CHILD OCCUPANT, WHO WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, EXPERIENCED WHIPLASH. ALL OCCUPANTS RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V046000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CRASH. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,000. *TT UPDATED 12/12/18
NHTSA complaint #11141224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN 2014FROM A FORD LINCOLN, MERCURY DEALERSHIP. I AM NOW ATTEMPTING, THROUGH DISCOVERY, TO DETERMINE IF THIS VEHICLE VIA ITS VIN# HAS ANY RECALLS AGAINST IT!
NHTSA complaint #11120211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES AND ACCELERATE, CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE "SEE MANUAL" LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH TOOL - FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO COAST CAR OFF EXIT RAMP SAFELY AND PULL OVER, AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE CHUGGED AND STALLED. FIRST RESTART "SEE MANUAL" LIGHT STILL ON, SPUTTERED AND STALLED. TURNED OFF VEHICLE. 2ND ATTEMPT SAME AS 1ST. 3RD CAME ON AND RAN WITHOUT ENGINE LIGHT AND SEEMED TO REV UP HIGHER THAN NORMAL, THEN CAME BACK DOWN. NO OTHER INDICATIONS APPEARED OTHER THAN "NO USE OF AUTO BRAKE AVAILABLE"
NHTSA complaint #11066489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL OPERABLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11021560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR. ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED AWAY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AT: HOLMAN FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY, ROUTE 38 WEST, MAPLE SHADE, NJ, WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A KNOWN ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 10/17/17*LJ
NHTSA complaint #11018872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PARKED CORRECTLY AND DECIDED TO STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL DING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND DROVE OVER A CURB. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE CURB WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL STILL DEPRESSED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL DING NOISE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE AND FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HINES PARK LINCOLN (40601 ANN ARBOR RD, PLYMOUTH, MI 48170, (734) 619-6272) WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE COULD FILE A SUBROGATION INSURANCE CLAIM. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/06/17*LJ
NHTSA complaint #11005181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR FRONT END CRASH. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXCHANGING INFORMATION WITH THE OCCUPANT OF THE OTHER VEHICLE, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED INTO A STONE WALL. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER DID NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE TWO INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V875000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #10959499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE PULLING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE RIGHT HAND THAT NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNKYARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
NHTSA complaint #10851355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.