2010 Lincoln MKZ Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2010 MKZ most often describe brake problems: the pedal sinking to the floor or needing extra pressure, sometimes after ABS activation, and complaints frequently reference recall 19V904000 (ABS hydraulic control unit). A large second group concerns the Takata air bag inflator recalls, where owners describe long waits for parts and, in some accounts, air bags that did not deploy in a crash. Other recurring reports cover rear LED tail light failures, occasional unintended acceleration or stalling, and door latch or handle problems.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake pedal sinks to the floor / poor braking

   • 31 complaints (18%)
   • median 108,000 mi at 11.0 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2026

   Owners describe the brake pedal travelling to the floorboard or requiring much more pressure than usual to slow the car, sometimes after hard braking or ABS activation and sometimes with the ABS or AdvanceTrac warning lights on. Many say the pedal had to be pumped to restore braking. According to the complaints, dealers and independent shops diagnosed the ABS hydraulic control unit, master cylinder or brake booster and replaced them, with some owners reporting the problem returned after repair and others told the recall part was not yet available. Mostly reported between roughly 70,000 and 175,000 miles, across a wide range of model years of ownership.

   Recall 19V9040001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether recall 19V904000 was completed and whether the ABS hydraulic control unit or master cylinder has been replaced. Before buying, press the pedal firmly with the engine running and check that it stays high and firm rather than sinking.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “One evening I got into my car and was heading home from work when I used the brakes and they went all the way to the floor. I had no brakes. The part I replaced was the hydraulic brake control unit. It cost me almost 700.00 to repair. I have the proper paperwork if you need to see the repair order. Pretty ironic that the recall will be coming out but they say my car wasn't affected. I could have been in a severe accident. I am looking for reimbursement on the money I spent. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11290355, filed 2019-12, 106,000 miles

   “In a stopping situation today I heard a loud pop and then lost all brake pressure. I took the vehicle to a local repair shop and they found a rubber flex hose right off the master cylinder had blown out. This is in an area that is not very easy to get to nor is it near the bottom where salt and road debris can get to. My vehicle is out of warranty by 2,391 miles. I called the ford Lincoln mercury hotline and they said I was out of warranty and there was no recalls on this situation. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10505958, filed 2013-04, 52,391 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Air bag inflator recall and non-deployment

   Mentioned in 10 of 60 sampled complaints

   Many owners describe receiving Takata air bag recall notices and then waiting months for parts, with the car parked or restricted to no front passenger. Some report contacting the dealer repeatedly with no remedy available. Others describe crashes in which the front or side air bags did not deploy. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 25,000 to 198,000 miles, with waiting periods in 2018 and later.

   Recall 21V158000Recall 21V081000Recall 19V001000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 18V775000Recall 18V046000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 16V384000 · DO NOT DRIVE2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check by VIN with a dealer whether all open air bag recalls have been completed, and ask for documentation of the repair rather than relying on a verbal assurance.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall: fortunately, my auto has not yet been in a situation that would cause the front airbags to deploy, however, lack of action on this airbag recall is causing me economic hardship. I desire to obtain a new vehicle, but am unable to trade in the 2010 Lincoln as the dealer said they cannot sell a vehicle under an active recall, and no parts are available to rectify the situation. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11122409, filed 2018-08, 46,000 miles

   “Takata recall--I received notification of NHTSA recall 16v-384 in a letter from Lincoln motor company dated july, 2016, which stated that I would be notified when parts were available for the repair. In december, 2017 a 2nd letter arrived from Lincoln advising me that I should not allow anyone to sit in the front row passenger seat, and that Lincoln expected remedy parts to be available in the spring of 2018. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11122011, filed 2018-08, 45,000 miles
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Unintended acceleration or surging

   • 12 complaints (7%)
   • median 44,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2026

   Owners describe the car accelerating on its own at low speed, often while parking, reversing or turning, with the brakes reportedly unable to stop it. Some reports link the behavior to the accelerator pedal or throttle body; in others the engine raced while driving and returned to normal after a restart. Mostly reported under about 55,000 miles, often during low-speed maneuvering.

   What to check: Ask whether the throttle body or accelerator pedal assembly has been replaced, and have a mechanic check for stored throttle and pedal codes before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving at 35 MPH, tried to slow down for a stop light. Car would not slow, brakes were ineffective against the motor that was stuck accelerating. I put car in nuetral ( as car engine raced) and coasted into a business parking lot. I shut off car and restarted. Engine revs were normal. I put car back into drive and drove back to work, the RPM's were surging, but not out of control this time.”

   NHTSA complaint #10449090, filed 2012-02, 58,136 miles

   “I was parked almost perpendicular to the curb (that was the way the parking spots were set.) I put the car into reverse and was about to back out when I saw a car in my rear view. I quickly shifted into drive and put my foot on the brake. The car suddenly accelerated forward about a foot or more before striking a lamp post. There was extensive damage to the right front headlight as well as the bumper, grill and hood. The airbags did not deploy and there was no injury to the other 2-passengers. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10543457, filed 2013-09, 45,000 miles
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Rear LED tail light / brake light failure

   • 8 complaints (5%)
   • median 56,000 mi at 4.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2017

   Owners report the rear LED tail light assemblies failing, with the brake light staying lit or flashing as if a turn signal were on, or with sections going dark. Because the LEDs are not separately replaceable, owners say the whole assembly must be replaced at significant cost, and some describe failing state inspections over it. Typically reported between about 40,000 and 75,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: With the lights on, have someone watch the rear lamps while you press the brake and use the turn signals; ask whether the tail light assemblies have been replaced under the extended coverage program.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was informed by friends following our vehicle that the driver side red brake light will illuminate with no change in brake pedal feel at nite when all the car lights are turned on. This I believe is a safety issue since drivers following our vehicle will not be aware when the vehicle itself is braking. Contacted a ford dealer who informed us that the cost to correct this problem would be $534.00 (the whole tail light assembly needs to be replaced and is not covered under the extended warranty. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10667429, filed 2014-12, 44,200 miles

   “At 56,000 miles (just over warranty) a friend noticed that my drivers side brake light was not working. I have no idea how long this condition existed. Brake lights are a safety item and I note there are other complaints on this site regarding the early failure of these LED lights. Ford would not warranty this and with a replacement cost of over $500.00, there is a real danger that some people may delay, or elect to not replace the light. The importance of functioning brake lights can not be overstated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10631966, filed 2014-09, 56,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Stalling and door latch or handle problems

   • 7 complaints (4%)
   • median 64,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2018

   A smaller set of owners describes the engine stalling while driving, with the throttle body and control module replaced afterward, and heated seats getting unusually hot or wiring under the seat burning. Others report door latches or interior door handles failing, in one case trapping the driver inside and in another allowing a door to open while driving. Reported anywhere from about 40,000 to 117,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test each door's interior and exterior handles and the power locks, and ask whether the throttle body has been serviced or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving my vehicle on a highway when the car stalled out. I tried repeatedly to re-start but it kept stalling. The car was towed to a Lincoln dealership near my home and it was determined that the throttle body and PCM had to be replaced which cost me $2128. At the time of the incident, my car had 91,860 miles. I noticed on the Lincoln chat sight that other owners complained about the same problem. I was surprised to learn that this extremely dangerous defect was not under recall. Hoping that the ntsb would further investigate. Thank you. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11080179, filed 2018-03, 91,860 miles

   “Electronic door lock/release switch failed, trapping me in drivers seat. Unable to exit vehicle except by crawling over console. Once exited from vehicle, was unable to lock and secure vehicle. Problem was with drivers side (master) door lock and release system. Occurred when vehicle was parked, engine off, and attempting to exit vehicle normally.”

   NHTSA complaint #10780071, filed 2015-10, 55,109 miles

Buying note. A 2010 MKZ is worth considering only after confirming that all open air bag and ABS recalls were completed, since owners report long waits for those parts. Have the brakes inspected for a sinking pedal and check the rear tail lights and door latches, as these are the most frequently described problems.

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.