Lincoln MKZ Service Brakes Problems
Owners have filed 199 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the Lincoln MKZ across 12 model years. The 2008 model year has the most (52). The words owners use most often: “brake pedal depressed” (11% of reports).
- 199service brakes complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 31mention a crash
- 6mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $2,050typical repair cost reported by owners
- 13%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Brake pedal depressed: mentioned in 22 of 199 complaints (11%)
- Brakes hydraulic: mentioned in 20 of 199 complaints (10%)
- Way floor: mentioned in 15 of 199 complaints (8%)
- Master cylinder: mentioned in 15 of 199 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes repair on the Lincoln MKZ at $2,050, and half of them between $1,500 and $2,700.
Based on 10 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2015–2024), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do service brakes problems happen?
Based on 133 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 199 complaints, 31 mention a crash, 6 an injury.
Lincoln MKZ service brakes complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Risk: A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Model years: 2014, 2015
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Fusion, Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 Mustang vehicles originally sold or ever registered, in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Hawaii. Exposure to certain environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, high humidity, and salt air can cause the brake pedal bumper to corrode and separate from the brake pedal.
Risk: A separated brake pedal bumper can cause the brake lights to illuminate continuously, causing confusion to other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash. On automatic transmission vehicles, a missing brake pedal bumper can allow the driver to shift the vehicle out of the "PARK" position without depressing the brake, allowing the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake pedal bumpers and clutch pedal bumpers, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on March 4, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 13, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S02.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not close properly.
Risk: If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the HCU will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition, replacing the HCU as necessary. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S54.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the brake light had remained illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the vehicle was unoccupied. In addition, the contact stated that while the vehicle…
Under the following recall [XXX] Recall was performed in 2022 by Ford of Upland by replacing only the brake fluid. The problem resurfaced just as described in the recall a while back. I contacted Ford on 5/21 they contacted the dealer who refused to repair at no cost. Car is currently at…
Vehicle: Lincoln MKZ 2013 Dealer: Auto Quest Inc. Description of the Safety Issue: I am submitting this report regarding a vehicle safety concern involving a 2013 Lincoln MKZ that I purchased from Auto Quest Inc. in Renton, Washington. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, within the first few days…
The electronic parking brake engages on its own and locks causing the rear tire to lock while driving which then causes friction and the tire to smoke heavily which could cause fire or bad accident. I have replaced caliper, caliper actuator, rotor, brake pad, wheel speed sensor, wheel bearing and…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Lincoln MKZs have service brakes problems?
No. NHTSA has 199 owner complaints about service brakes for the Lincoln MKZ. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Lincoln MKZ service brakes?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list service brakes. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix service brakes problems on the Lincoln MKZ?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,050 (half paid between $1,500 and $2,700), from 10 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes problems on the Lincoln MKZ?
The most frequent phrase is “brake pedal depressed”, in 22 of 199 complaints, followed by “brakes hydraulic” (20).
Other Lincoln MKZ problems
- Air Bags problems (674)
- Engine problems (164)
- Electrical System problems (121)
- Steering problems (115)
See all Lincoln MKZ problems.