2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jun 4, 2026 · 59 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other MKZ Hybrid years
Far more complaints than other years 1st of 10 for complaints
Safety recalls
None on file
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. That is the most of any MKZ Hybrid model year in the database (10 years). The most reported problem area is steering (19 complaints, 32%), typically at around 63,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash. There are no safety recalls on file for this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Steering19 · ~63,000 mi
Air Bags17 · ~52,750 mi
Electrical System8 · ~77,000 mi
Engine6 · ~57,558 mi
Unknown or Other6 · ~59,558 mi
Service Brakes4 · ~45,500 mi
Structure4 · ~52,650 mi
Electronic Stability Control (esc)3 · ~45,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System3 · ~75,500 mi
Power Train2 · ~190,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Steering1932%63,000——
Air Bags1729%52,750——
Electrical System814%77,000——
Engine610%57,558——
Unknown or Other610%59,558——
Service Brakes47%45,500——
Structure47%52,650——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)35%45,000——
Fuel/propulsion System35%75,500——
Power Train23%190,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic23%71,150——
Vehicle Speed Control23%39,708——
Exterior Lighting12%54,000——
Latches/locks/linkages12%55,567——
Seats12%115,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2018, with 14 complaints
2013: 2201322014: 4201442015: 4201542016: 2201622017: 132017132018: 142018142019: 8201982020: 1202012021: 1202112022: 1202212023: 6202362025: 2202522026: 120261

n = 59 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid recalls (0)

No safety recalls are on file for the 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
  • Pedestrian alert sounds (DP22005) — opened Jan 27, 2023, closed Aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V063000.
  • Electric power steering failure (PE14030) — opened Oct 2, 2014, closed Sep 10, 2015, led to recall 15V340000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

I have a Lincoln MKZ Hybrid 2012 with 88k miles on it. While I was slowing to a stop as I approached a stoplight at a busy intersection, the 'Check Brake' warning on the dashboard lit up without warning and no prior issues, and my ability to brake became near impossible as the pedal softened. I…

Service Brakes · received Jun 4, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11742028

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and went all the way to the floorboard however, the vehicle failed to immediately stop. The contact stated that after pumping the…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · received Jul 15, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11673764

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that the front driver's side door failed to open while pulling the interior door handle, requiring the contact to open the door using the exterior door handle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the front driver's side interior…

Latches/locks/linkages · received Jul 3, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11670985

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist and driving track warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to his place of employment. The contact stated that after work he started the vehicle and, while…

Steering · received Dec 1, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11557871

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to reverse, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, and the vehicle displayed a message stating "Electric Power Steering Assist Fault". The EPS warning light…

Steering · received Nov 29, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11557491

Other Lincoln MKZ Hybrid years

← 2011 MKZ Hybrid · 2013 MKZ Hybrid →

See all Lincoln MKZ Hybrid problems by year, every Lincoln model, or the Lincoln VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid?

Owners most often report steering, air bags, electrical system problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 19 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid?

No safety recalls are on file for this model year.

Was the 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other MKZ Hybrid model years, the 2012 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.