2009 Lincoln MKZ Problems

What owners report

Most complaints on this model year concern the passenger-side air bag inflator recall and a separate ABS hydraulic control unit recall, and a large share of them are about parts not being available to complete those repairs. A second cluster describes the brake pedal traveling to the floor or feeling spongy after ABS activation, sometimes with longer stopping distances. Reports of unintended acceleration and door handle failures also appear, though in smaller numbers.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake pedal goes to the floor / long pedal travel (ABS)

   • 19 complaints (17%)
   • median 88,096 mi at 11.3 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2022

   Owners describe the brake pedal sinking toward the floor, sometimes with a spongy feel and noticeably longer stopping distance, often after the anti-lock brakes have engaged. Some say the pedal returns to normal after a while or after restarting; others describe it happening intermittently at intersections and stop signs. Several complaints tie this to the ABS hydraulic control unit recall and say dealers could not perform the repair because the part was unavailable, or quoted a separate charge for related components before doing the recall work. Reported across a wide mileage range from roughly 22,000 to 145,000 miles, mostly filed between 2019 and 2021.

   Recall 19V9040003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Confirm recall 19V904000 has been completed on the vehicle, and ask whether the ABS hydraulic control unit was replaced. Press the pedal firmly at a standstill and note any sinking or sponginess.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We were sent a recall notice on the auto brake system january 2020. Local Lincoln dealer doesn't have parts to repair as of october 2020. The ABS light has came on right about the time of notification. Keep getting told that parts are not available to repair on the recall. If I wanted to pay for it then they could repair the problem. This is not satisfactory. Do I need to notify a better business bureau or what do I need to do to get the repair on breaks which could be a safety hazzard?”

   NHTSA complaint #11366508, filed 2020-10

   “Leaking brakes had to be fixed twice before recalled parts were available. When the last repair was done, dealership said they would reimburse us (since we paid full price) recalled parts labor that we had to pay for since they were on the recall. This has never happened even though we have tried multiple times to remedy. Dealership says they sent in paperwork to Ford twice for the reimbursement as they don't do that. Ford Motor Company says they dont do it that it is up to the dealer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11423455, filed 2021-07
2. 2
   Air bags

   Air bag inflator recall not yet repaired (parts unavailable)

   • 61 complaints (54%)
   • median 40,500 mi at 8.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2025

   Owners describe receiving recall notices for the front air bag inflators and then being told by dealers that the replacement parts are on backorder or unavailable, sometimes for months or years. A few mention an illuminated air bag warning light, and one describes the air bags failing to deploy in a frontal collision, while another describes a passenger-side warning light with the air bag appearing to push out of its compartment. Complaints generally focus on the wait and the lack of a loaner vehicle rather than a specific driving symptom. Filed mostly between 2017 and 2018 and again in 2025; mileage varies widely, with several reports at 40,000–110,000 miles.

   Recall 21V158000Recall 21V081000Recall 18V046000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 17V024000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 16V384000 · DO NOT DRIVE2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask the dealer to run the VIN and confirm every open air bag recall has actually been completed, not just scheduled. Check that the air bag warning light turns off after the bulb check at startup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall : I received a letter from Lincoln motor company dated 3/2017. The letter stated my passenger side air bag is under recall due to a ruptured inflator may result in serious injury or death. It is now 10/30 and Lincoln keeps saying the parts are not ready. Meanwhile I driving around in a dangerous car. I need to get this fixed. Please keep on top of Lincoln to get this done..”

   NHTSA complaint #11041385, filed 2017-10, 41,000 miles

   “Takata recall received recall for passenger airbag in march,2017. I have been told by dealership that the part is not available now and they cannot give a time when it will be available. Takata has now filed bankruptcy. My complaint is that I did not buy the car from takata, I bought it from a Lincoln dealership. I don't understand why Lincoln can't get another airbag for replacement. It is now october 20,2017. They have had enough time for this recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11035315, filed 2017-10, 19,000 miles
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Unintended acceleration at low speed or from a stop

   • 6 complaints (5%)
   • median 68,000 mi at 7.4 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2025

   Owners describe the car accelerating on its own when pulling away from a stop, exiting a driveway, or maneuvering at parking speed, in some cases with the brake applied. Several describe needing heavy brake pressure or shifting to neutral to stop, and a few report low-speed impacts as a result. Complaints say dealers either could not duplicate the concern or replaced throttle body and PCM components in one case without a repeat. Reported at low mileage, roughly 3,000 to 60,000 miles, with most filings between 2013 and 2015.

   What to check: During a test drive, try several slow starts and parking-lot maneuvers and note whether engine speed rises with the brake applied. Ask whether the throttle body or PCM has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2009 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while exiting a driveway with the brakes engaged, the vehicle suddenly accelerated independently and excessive pressure had to be applied to the brake in order to bring the vehicle to a stop. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000. Updated 10/07/14 updated 10/22/14 updated 3/16/2015”

   NHTSA complaint #10631762, filed 2014-09, 42,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2009 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while parked in a semi-truck parking lot, another driver was reversing where she was blocking, and the contact then attempted to avoid the collision and drive forward. The accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle accelerated excessively, and the brake pedal was then depressed but failed to respond. Upon a second attempt, the brake pedal went to the floorboard, accompanied by an abnormal vibration. Consequently, the vehicle crashed into a tree. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11678711, filed 2025-08, 110,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Instrument panel lights out / cooling fan failure

   • 5 complaints (4%)
   • median 28,170 mi at 5.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2013–2023

   Owners report instrument panel illumination that stopped working, with a dealer diagnosing the panel as needing replacement. Others describe the electric cooling fan module failing, causing overheating and steam from the front of the hood, and in one case a stalled engine that restarted later but then would not start again and could not be diagnosed. Reported from about 22,000 to roughly 130,000 miles, filed between 2013 and 2023.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: At a warm start, look for dash backlighting on all gauges and warning displays. Let the car idle with the A/C on and confirm the cooling fan engages and the temperature gauge stays steady.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving through an intersection the engine stopped running. My mechanic diagnosed the vehicle as it needing a new cooling fan. The odd part was my engine light never came on, the cool/hot display on the instrument panel never showed it was overheating. I'm currently waiting for the part to arrive to the mechanics shop. The incident happened at night in the middle of an intersection. This could have resulted in a major injury at best, death at worst.”

   NHTSA complaint #10954986, filed 2017-02, 127,000 miles

   “I own a 2009 Lincoln MKZ with only 22,067 miles on it and the electric cooling fan module went out. I was going 10 MPH when steam started coming out from right front side of hood. I had the car towed to a repair shop (on a sunday and 200 miles away from home). When car was inspected on sunday, 7/21/13, the thermostat and coolant was replaced. After testing, the car still overheated. I had to leave the car overnight. On monday, july 22, 2013 the testing resumed and it was determined that the electric cooling fan module had failed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10534289, filed 2013-08, 22,067 miles

Buying note. Ask for a VIN-based recall printout showing the air bag and ABS recalls as completed, and confirm the ABS hydraulic control unit work was actually done. A test drive that includes slow starts and firm brake pedal checks will tell you more than service records alone.

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.