Lincoln Zephyr Problems by Year
NHTSA has 241 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file for the Lincoln Zephyr, across 8 model years (2003–2012). The 2006 model year has the most complaints (229). The most reported problem area overall is air bags.
Lincoln Zephyr years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Zephyr year: 2006. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2006 Zephyr: 229 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2008 Zephyr: 7 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2007 Zephyr: 3 complaints, 4 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Lincoln Zephyr problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags problems | 153 | 4 | 7 |
| Wheels | 26 | 1 | 1 |
| Structure | 13 | 1 | 2 |
| Power Train | 12 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| Engine | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Suspension | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Lane Departure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Lincoln Zephyr problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
All Lincoln Zephyr model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Zephyr | 0 | 3 | — | — | |
| 2011 Zephyr | 1 | 3 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2010 Zephyr | 0 | 4 | — | — | |
| 2009 Zephyr | 0 | 4 | — | — | |
| 2008 Zephyr | 7 | 4 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2007 Zephyr | 3 | 4 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2006 Zephyr | 229 | 4 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2003 Zephyr | 1 | 0 | — | Power Train |
More from Lincoln: all Lincoln models · Lincoln VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln Zephyr years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2006 (229) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Zephyr year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Lincoln Zephyr?
Air Bags, with 153 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Lincoln Zephyr have?
5 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.