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Lincoln MKZModel year report

2007 Lincoln MKZ Problems

Complaints
259filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
77,456miles, 97 complaints with mileage
Recalls
42 do-not-drive
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2007 Lincoln MKZ (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Most complaints for this model year are about the Takata air bag inflator recalls, and many describe long waits for parts rather than a new failure. Some owners also report a brake pedal that goes soft or low after the anti-lock system engages, and slow air loss from the factory chrome wheels. These reports appear across a wide mileage range, from under 50,000 miles to well past 150,000.

  1. Air bags

    Air bag warning light on; recall inflator parts unavailable

    • 178 complaints (69%)
    • median 65,027 mi at 10.5 yrs old (39 state mileage)
    • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2008–2025

    Owners describe the air bag warning indicator staying lit while driving or after startup, often alongside notices for the Takata inflator recalls. Many say the dealer confirmed the recall but had no replacement parts, sometimes for months, and some were told a diagnostic fee would apply to find out why the light is on. A few report the light appearing after recall work was done, with the dealer declining further repairs. According to complaints, replacement parts and loaner vehicles were frequently unavailable. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 190,000 miles, most often between 40,000 and 130,000 miles.

    Recall 16V384000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 17V024000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 21V1580005 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether the open Takata inflator recalls for this VIN were completed and keep the paperwork; if the air bag light is lit, have it scanned before purchase.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Takata recall I contacted my local dealerships service department. They verified my recall. They explained that the parts are unavailable. I am concerned because the airbag light is on every time the car is running. I also have a recall for the carpet inserts. I have had many instances where my shoe get stuck on the metal piece near the chair.”

    NHTSA complaint #11055720, filed 2017-12, 125,000 miles

    “Takata recall. We/ve been waiting for over two years to get our car repaied. When complaining to Lincoln, they offered a loaner. Have called the 2 closest dealers, and they have no loaners available. Lincoln gives us the run around. My god, they're in the car business and I can't believe they don't have loaners available. My wife is scared to death to ride in this car. Can you help us?”

    NHTSA complaint #11163120, filed 2018-12, 43,000 miles
  2. Brakes

    Soft or low brake pedal after ABS activation

    • 38 complaints (15%)
    • median 85,000 mi at 12.8 yrs old (19 state mileage)
    • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2008–2026

    Owners report the brake pedal dropping toward the floor or feeling mushy after the anti-lock system engages, such as during a hard stop, on wet or slippery roads, or over rough patches. Some say the pedal recovers after pumping the brakes or after the vehicle is restarted, while others describe longer stopping distances and a brake warning light. Dealers are described as sometimes unable to find a cause, and several owners mention the ABS hydraulic control unit recall. Reported from about 25,000 to 157,000 miles, often on wet, snowy or uneven surfaces.

    Recall 19V9040001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask whether recall 19V904000 was performed on this vehicle, and test the pedal feel after a hard stop on a wet surface; have the ABS checked if the pedal sinks.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While waiting at a stop sign, the vehicle in front of me started to go. Someone going across trafffic ran the stop sign. The driver in front of me hit the brakes to avoid collision. When I attempted to brake my brakes just kind of sputtered forward and I was unable to stop in time to avoid hitting the back of the car in front of me. There was no damage to my vehicle but the other party did report minor damages to their vehicle which I was forced to pay for.”

    NHTSA complaint #11310573, filed 2020-02, 195,000 miles

    “Gentlemen, I own a 2007 Lincoln MKZ with 68,750 miles on it. I put a new master brake cylinder on it on august 16, 2015. The master cylinder was replaced because my brakes were periodically going 'soft' after hitting rough patches on a road, striking wet, uneven manhole covers, or hitting slippery conditions which activated the ABS system. Since that august installation of a new oem master brake cylinder I have had three more instances where the brakes have gone mushy after various attempts to make a quick stop. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10950117, filed 2017-02, 68,000 miles
  3. Wheels

    Chrome wheels leak air and corrode

    • 18 complaints (7%)
    • median 92,000 mi at 5.3 yrs old (17 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2011–2020

    Owners describe tires losing pressure repeatedly, sometimes going flat, with chrome peeling or corroding on the rims and, in some reports, cracks or broken welds. Several say the dealer or a tire shop found the rim sealing surface was the cause and recommended re-sealing or replacing the wheels, and that the leak returned after new tires were fitted. Some reports mention the rim edge damaging the tire sidewall. Mostly reported between roughly 39,000 and 115,000 miles, with some as low as 45,000.

    What to check: Inspect the inner and outer rim edges for peeling chrome and corrosion, and check whether all four tires hold pressure over several days.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My airbag light stays on constantly passenger side. This may cause injury if in accident I've replaces several tires and recently have new ones and tire pressure goes completely flat on 2 back tires and constantly putting air in front tires.. I returned it to service station that installed tires and he said the rims are so corroded that's why I'm losing air in tires. These need replaced and are costly. I feel I may have a blowout while driving if I don't check these daily.”

    NHTSA complaint #10937405, filed 2016-12, 130,000 miles

    “I am having issues with low tires. They are constantly going low/flat. About 6 month ago I had one tire come completely off my rim. From what I am told by the dealership, the rims have to be shaved down and then re sealed. I just bought new tires less then a year ago and already in need of new ones because the tread is worn out for having inconsistant air in them with them continually going low! It's been going on for the last 3 years but more frequently within the last 12 months.”

    NHTSA complaint #10822032, filed 2016-01, 87,221 miles

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 259 consumer complaints for the 2007 Lincoln MKZ. 97 of the complaints include a mileage, and 28% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 77,456 miles. Of all complaints, 14 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 6 an injury, 2 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns (2 marked do-not-drive) and 14 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seat belts (3), Tires (3), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (3), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Suspension (2), Electronic stability control (1), Engine cooling (1), Equipment (1), Forward collision avoidance (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall - I received recall letter july 2016. To this date the dealer (central florida Lincoln in orlando fl) cannot give me an answer as to when the airbag will be replaced. All they tell me is that they don't have the parts yet. I am very inconvenienced as I cannot have passengers in the front seat. I see that other vehicles have been repaired - when is Lincoln going to have parts to repair?”

NHTSA complaint #10967065, filed 2017-03, 80,000 miles

Brakes: “When the wheel speed sensor went bad the car went into limp mode as I was entering the road from a parking lot. I narrowly missed getting hit. Very dangerous situation.”

NHTSA complaint #11152193, filed 2018-11, 130,000 miles

Wheels: “2007 Lincoln MKZ v6. The wheel/rims are garbage. They are falling apart, cracks in the metal, finish peeling, around the tire pieces of the rim has fallen off. I can't believe Lincoln would use such junk. I have to keep checking the air pressure because the wheels/rims are so torn up. I just bought the car two weeks ago. Lincoln needs to have a recall on these wheels before someone gets killed because of them falling apart. The welds are breaking apart. These wheels/rims are dangerous.”

NHTSA complaint #11325747, filed 2020-05, 115,068 miles

Electrical system: “Car will not start because of electrical computer and when it does start the car stalls when out on the road or highway putting my family or myself at risk of injury or death. I called Lincoln hotline and they refused to pay for the repair after it had already been to a dealership for diagnostic they couldn't figure out what was wrong and said it was fine then went to pick car up and it wouldn't start. When home to get spare key still same problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #11206533, filed 2019-05, 89,400 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

28% of the 97 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 48,000 and 125,000 miles.

3%0–104%10–2521%25–5022%50–7513%75–10022%100–15015%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (97 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 77,456 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’08’11’14’1790’20’23’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2007 Lincoln MKZ. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
MKZ · sedan FWDnot rated4 / 4——5 · 9.2% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2007 Lincoln MKZ version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
MKZ AWD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic162419$3,550
MKZ FWD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172520$3,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2007 Lincoln MKZ → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 14 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 14 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lincoln MKZ

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20192158,1381524—Rising
20183633,00025240 · FewerRising
201714174,000452446 · TypicalRising
20166456,500652639 · TypicalRising
20158459,0001052643 · TypicalStable
20149760,5001352651 · TypicalStable
201310944,5001252660 · TypicalStable
201214653,750542150 · TypicalFalling
201114568,500542153 · TypicalFalling
201017072,6167—2175 · MoreFalling
200911468,0006—2153 · TypicalFalling
200828180,4004—2250 · TypicalFalling
200725977,4564—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Lincoln MKZ model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2007 Lincoln MKZ?

Most complaints for this model year are about the Takata air bag inflator recalls, and many describe long waits for parts rather than a new failure. The issues reported most often: Air bag warning light on; recall inflator parts unavailable; Soft or low brake pedal after ABS activation; Chrome wheels leak air and corrode.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007 Lincoln MKZ have?

NHTSA recorded 259 consumer complaints for the 2007 Lincoln MKZ as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2007 Lincoln MKZ is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 184 complaints (71% of the total), followed by brakes with 42.

Has the 2007 Lincoln MKZ been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2007 Lincoln MKZ get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Lincoln MKZ (MKZ FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2007 Lincoln MKZ reported?

Among the 97 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 77,456 miles and the middle half falls between 48,000 and 125,000 miles; 28% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.