2006 Lincoln Zephyr Problems

What owners report

For this model year, most sampled complaints concern the passenger and driver frontal airbag inflator recalls, with owners describing long waits for parts and, in a few cases, airbag warning lights or non-deployment in a crash. The next most common theme is the factory chrome wheels, whose peeling finish lets tires lose air, and a smaller set of complaints covers brakes, dashboard and door-trim problems, transmission and engine stalling.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Takata airbag inflator recall with no parts available

   • 142 complaints (62%)
   • median 89,000 mi at 11.5 yrs old (31 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2023

   Owners describe receiving recall notices for the frontal airbag inflators and then being told by dealers that replacement parts are not available, sometimes for more than a year. Some report an airbag warning light that comes on intermittently while driving, and a few describe airbags that did not deploy in a collision. Complaints also mention dealers refusing to provide a loaner while the repair is pending. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 59,000 to 185,000 miles, on vehicles filed from 2016 through 2021.

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

   What to check: Ask the dealer to confirm by VIN whether the driver and passenger inflator recalls have actually been completed, and request written proof rather than a promise of future parts. Watch for an airbag warning light that stays on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Since 2 years ago ford recalled these airbags and do nothing! I went to 2 dealers Lincoln in my area because I received letter from ford stating that they will pay for a rental car up to 45$/day until this recalled car is done and none of dealers wanted to provide a rental car-both said that is not worthed and I will lose money if I rent. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11123067, filed 2018-08, 185,000 miles

   “I received a safety recall notice from Lincoln motor company in march, 2017. I contacted the local ford dealership in chatham and they have not received a notice or replacement part from Lincoln motor company, as of nov., 2017. I want to get this airbag replaced, but the ford dealership is saying they can't get the airbag replacement part.”

   NHTSA complaint #11048490, filed 2017-11, 82,000 miles
2. 2
   Wheels

   Chrome wheels peel and tires lose air

   • 25 complaints (11%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 6.6 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2019

   Owners describe the chrome finish on the factory aluminum wheels flaking and corroding, which prevents the tire bead from sealing and leads to slow or repeated air loss. Several report having to add air weekly, tires wearing out early, bead resealing that only works temporarily, and in some cases a tire blowing out while driving. Dealers and tire shops are said to have confirmed the wheels need replacing, usually at the owner's expense. Reported from about 25,000 to 152,800 miles, frequently on cars several years old; owners note it happens in any temperature.

   What to check: Inspect the wheel lips and bead area for flaking chrome or corrosion, and check whether the tires hold pressure over several days. Ask about replacement wheel cost before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Was traveling southbound on I-39 when tire blew out. Have had to replace tires several times and told by dealership and 2 auto service centers that the rims are so corroded they do not hold air properly and need to be replaced. All wheels have chrome flaking off. Car currently has less than 75k miles. In the 2.5 years I have owned it, probably have had to have the tires repaired/replaced 10-15 times.”

   NHTSA complaint #10680041, filed 2015-01, 50,000 miles

   “I have a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr and I have noticed the chrome on my rims is peeling off and the rims are becoming very corroded. The tire keep deflating due to this problem even after you air the tires up they slowly leak air. I have seen many complaints about this happening to these rims and it could cause a blow out due to under inflation as the tire specifically says on the side of the tire. This needs to be addressed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10663207, filed 2014-12, 100,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Stalling, misfires and throttle or PCM faults

   • 19 complaints (8%)
   • median 104,875 mi at 10.7 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2023

   Owners describe intermittent stalling and loss of power while driving, sometimes with a flashing check engine light, rough running or backfiring, and hard starts or no-starts in cold weather. Complaints mention melted ignition coils, misfire codes, throttle body or throttle position sensor faults, and PCM replacement, with dealers sometimes unable to reproduce the problem. Reported from about 60,000 to 170,000 miles, with several owners noting cold or freezing weather.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records covering ignition coils, spark plugs, throttle body cleaning and any PCM work, and scan for stored misfire or throttle codes on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car has 82,000 miles on it. The throttle position sensor seems to be acting up. After researching this issue on the net, it appears this has been an issue since 04 with fords. In addition, they are on the 3rd generation sensor. I was driving normal speeds, then the warning light came on, killing the power to the engine, put me in a precarious situation on a 45 50 mile an hr road. Since this known issue since 04, seems like ford should replace this. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11390861, filed 2021-01, 82,000 miles

   “The problem is re-occurring. When the weather goes below freezing ice builds up around the electronic throttle body. The car will start and as the engine starts to heat up the ice starts to break up. As soon as I have taken the car past 25mph and I let off the gas the engine starts to stall out sending an error signal to the computer and the wrench light comes on. I must say that the problem is very random and does not always occur. I have learned from experience that I must pull over and turn off the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10659656, filed 2014-11, 60,000 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Dashboard warping and cracking

   • 10 complaints (4%)
   • median 62,562 mi at 7.3 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2014–2021

   Owners report the dashboard cover warping, lifting and separating from the console, and in some cases cracking. Complaints describe the defroster vent coming loose so the windshield does not clear properly, and dealers or independent shops diagnosing that the dashboard needs replacement, often declined because of cost. Reported from about 22,000 to 144,250 miles, with some cars affected at low mileage.

   What to check: Look along the windshield base and dash seams for lifting or gaps, and test that the defroster clears the glass. Ask whether the dash has been replaced or repaired.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The front dashboard is continually peeling up. It has become warped and I'm afraid it may completely peel up while I'm driving. I wholeheartedly feel that these automobiles should be recalled and the problem dealt with appropriately. Lincolns are suppose to be upscaled american luxury cars so how do they produced such a car with mediocre workmanship? I've priced new front dashboards and they can range in the $1200-$1500 range, used $300-$400 without installation. I love my Lincoln but this is unacceptable. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10704108, filed 2015-04, 60,000 miles

   “Have a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr and the dashboard has become terribly warped which has caused my window defroster to not operate properly. This is suppose to be a luxury car and the dashboard is an intricate part that houses the instrument panel. Lincoln/ford should recall these vehicles and fix the problem plastic door handles are breaking on all doors. Window rolls up and down scratchy.”

   NHTSA complaint #10586530, filed 2014-05, 60,125 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake pedal slow or low after ABS activation

   • 9 complaints (4%)
   • median 93,000 mi at 15.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2012–2022

   Owners describe the brake pedal becoming slow to respond or sinking toward the floor, particularly after the ABS activates in snow or slippery conditions. Some complaints concern recall 19V904000: owners report the fluid flush was not carried out, a caliper repair was demanded first, or parts were unavailable, leaving the repair pending. Reported between about 38,000 and 126,763 miles, often in snow or low-grip conditions.

   Recall 19V9040001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether recall 19V904000 has been performed and check the brake fluid color and level. Test the pedal feel after a stop on a slippery surface if possible.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brake peddle goes to the floor after ABS is activated. In my case trying to stop in the snow. This is the second time this has happened. First time with 51318 miles, second with 62700 miles. The internet in full of people complaining about the anti-lock brake pump failing which causes the brake peddle to go to the floor. I have another to add to that list. With this being a $1000+ fix and seeing how many have had this problem it is understandable why we believe this should be a recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11154882, filed 2018-11, 62,700 miles

   “The traction control light comes on all the time. When you take off the car is gutless no power. Until you hit traction control off. Sometimes does it after. Bit. Someone almost hit me pulling out from the gas station last night again, due to no power! It also messes with the shifting due to the traction control ive put everything into my car. This is a huge problem due to the fact it can mess with the transmission and engine throwing off the timing. This should be recalled, ive seen many people complaining about the exact samething. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11375706, filed 2020-11, 144,235 miles

Buying note. Before buying, confirm the open airbag inflator recalls have been completed at a dealer, since parts delays are a recurring theme, and inspect the wheels and dash closely. A pre-purchase scan for stored engine and brake codes, plus a brake fluid check, would cover most of the other reported 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.