2012 Lincoln Mkz Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (19) · Air Bags (15) · Structure:body (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lincoln Mkz Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
41 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (9)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment:electrical 2022-09-01 · 22G04 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain 2010 ã¢ââ 2012 model year fusion / mkz / milan hybrid vehicles hybrid battery reduced electric vehicle operation becm and pcm software update in all the affected vehicles, outdated software may result in reduced ev-only mode performance earlier in the life of the vehicle than intended.
Air Bags 2022-03-28 · 22B05 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain 2005-2014 mustang, 2005-2006 gt, 2004-2011 ranger, 2006-2012 fusion & mkz/zephyr, 2006-2011 milan, and 2007-2010 edge & mkx vehicles driver & passenger airbag module quality control inspection: ford motor company has determined that some vehicles claimed by dealers as repaired under takata a
Electrical System 2020-04-27 · TSB 20-2142 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2010-2012 fusion hybrid electric vehicles (hev), 2010-2011 milan hev and 2011-2012 mkz hev vehicles may experience reduced electric vehicle operation and increased gasoline engine operation around 10 years of vehicle age and beyond. this may be due to software in the battery energy control modu
Engine And Engine Cooling 2019-10-03 · SSM 48238 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2010-2012 fusion hybrid electric vehicle (hev), 2010-2011 milan hev and 2011-2012 mkz hev vehicles may experience reduced electric vehicle operation and increased gasoline engine operation. do not attempt repairs at this time. engineering is investigating, monitor oasis for updates.
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2015-07-01 · 44863 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: no service action is recommended for this condition. please use at your discretion. various 2010-2015 vehicles may experience a turbulence noise, similar to an helicopter noise, at highway speeds when the rear door window(s) or sunroof are open. *ta
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery 2015-05-01 · ASI-45113 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford/lincoln: when flat towing vehicle, battery will drain, due to manual instruction of key remaining in accessory position. model 2010-13 fusion, 2010-11 milan, 2011-12 mkz. *pe
Showing the 6 most recent of 9 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-04 · Service Brakes“i have a lincoln mkz hybrid 2012 with 88k miles on it. while i was slowing to a stop as i approached a stoplight at a busy intersection, the 'check brake' warning on the dashboard lit up without warning and no prior issues, and my ability to brake became near impossible as the pedal softened. i needed to push it all the way to the floor to get the …”
2025-07-15 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 119,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 lincoln mkz hybrid. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and went all the way to the floorboard however, the vehicle failed to immediately stop. the contact stated that after pumping the brake pedal repeatedly the vehicle came to a stop. th…”
2025-07-03 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch · 55,567 mi“the contact owns a 2012 lincoln mkz hybrid. the contact stated that the front driver's side door failed to open while pulling the interior door handle, requiring the contact to open the door using the exterior door handle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the front driver's side interior door handle was replaced three times, and the door …”
2023-12-01 · Steering · 125,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 lincoln mkz. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist and driving track warning lights illuminated. the contact drove the vehicle to his place of employment. the contact stated that after work he started the vehicle and, while driving, the steering seized. the contact used both…”
2023-11-29 · Steering · 66,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 lincoln mkz hybrid. the contact stated that while her husband was attempting to reverse, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, and the vehicle displayed a message stating "electric power steering assist fault". the eps warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the deal…”
2023-09-01 · Steering · 122,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 lincoln mkz hybrid. the contact stated that while his grandson was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. several unknown warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the power steering control module was reprogrammed; however, the failure recu…”
2023-07-31 · Steering · 100,288 mi“the contact owns a 2012 lincoln mkz hybrid. the contact stated while starting the vehicle the steering wheel was firm. the "power steering assist fault" and "service advance trac" messages were displayed. the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the steering operated normally. the dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed …”
2023-07-20 · Steering · 100,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 lincoln mkz hybrid. the contact stated while driving approximately 20 mph, there was a beeping sound heard and the "steering assist" and "service track" warning lights illuminated. the contact stated slightly corrected the steering wheel and became aware that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. the contact was…”
2023-07-19 · Power Train · 190,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 lincoln mkz hybrid. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brake was inoperable. the service abs warning light was illuminated; however, the contact stated that the vehicle was driven to her residence with caution. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired b…”
2022-09-02 · Air Bags“takata recall. the contact owns a 2012 lincoln mkz hybrid. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 21v158000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. the contact…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.