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Electrical systemPart report

2012 Lincoln MKZ Electrical system Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
6%of 146 total for the year
Median mileage
60,200miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Lincoln MKZ, 6% of the 146 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,200 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was at the gas station putting gas to my car when I noticed flames coming from the engine then I told the people around the staff od the gas station shut off all the gas pumps and help me to tryied to use extinguishers toend the fire until the fire departnen people came. I do not realy know what hapoened but iwas having some electrical problems and was smoking when we were driving the car. We thought need antifreeze liquid and put it but still running weird.”

NHTSA complaint #11254457, filed 2019-09, 200,000 miles

“In january 2021, my vehicle had reached about 60,000 miles. As I was backing out of my driveway, I noticed multiple warning lights on the instrument panel and as I tried to stop the car discovered that the brakes were not working. I pulled the emergency brake handle and stopped the car. Had the car not stopped, I probably would not have avoided going into the street. I turned off and restarted the car but the brakes did not work (after you start the car, the ABS light goes on and then the brake warning light goes on; the brakes only work a little near the floor). …”

NHTSA complaint #11390826, filed 2021-01, 60,200 miles

“The ABS system malfunction. All sensors light up and brakes did not work. You could push the brakes to the floor. Very dangerous situatiuon. This is the same ABS malfunction that has been the subject of a ford recalled of 600, 000 vehicles in the fusion,and mk's in the years thru 2010 but not 2011 and 2012 which yse the same braking system. This is a unacceptable and dangerous.”

NHTSA complaint #11415452, filed 2021-05, 104,000 miles

“The metal part on the cable connecting battery to other parts of vehicle cracked. Had stopped to get battery checked and service personnel found the crack in the metal part on cable that contains 2 fuses. Car had been hesitant on starting twice in the week. Safety problem if part had broken completely into while on interstate or in an area not heavily populated. Could have caused a serious if not fatal accident.”

NHTSA complaint #11000279, filed 2017-06, 33,000 miles

“Portion of LED tail-lights are out. This is a known issue that has been covered on 2010's and 2011's however my 2012 is not covered even though they are identical vehicles with identical part numbers”

NHTSA complaint #11277515, filed 2019-11, 83,500 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2019314%
201826%
2017107%
20161117%
20151619%
20141718%
20131716%
201296%
201186%
2010106%
200933%
200883%
200773%

Other parts of the 2012 Lincoln MKZ

Air bags
68 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Lincoln MKZ

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology