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2012 LINCOLN MKZ

6 recalls Risk Grade: B+ Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #15V340000 Plain English
Component

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
What Happened
The power steering system in your vehicle is controlled by an electric motor that helps make steering easier. In some affected models, this motor's sensor could fail, causing the power steering to shut down.
Risk if Unfixed
If the power steering fails, you might need to use more effort to steer at slow speeds, which could increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your Ford dealer will check your vehicle's steering system for any issues, and if needed, replace the steering gear or update the steering software – both at no cost to you.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Original — Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #21V158000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
What Happened
The driver-side air bag in your vehicle is designed to deploy in a crash to protect you. But in certain models, the propellant that makes it work can break down over time, especially in hot and humid conditions.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments could shoot towards you or other passengers, causing serious injury or even death. This is a life-threatening situation.
Free Fix
Your Ford dealer will replace the faulty air bag inflator with a new one, completely free of charge. You should schedule the repair as soon as possible, especially if you've experienced high temperatures or humidity in your area.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #21E013000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
What Happened
The part in question is the airbag inflator that's installed in the passenger side of your vehicle. It's a crucial safety component designed to inflate in the event of a crash to protect you and your passengers.
Risk if Unfixed
If this airbag inflator explodes in a crash, it could send sharp metal fragments flying towards you and your passengers, causing serious injury or even death. This is a life-threatening situation that must be addressed immediately.
Free Fix
Your dealership will replace the recalled airbag inflator with a safer one, free of charge. You'll receive a notification from Ford when the recall begins, and you should schedule the repair as soon as possible to ensure your safety on the road.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #19V001000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
What Happened
The airbag in your passenger seat is a critical safety device that inflates in the event of a collision. However, in certain models of your Ford Mustang, Ranger, or other vehicles, the airbag inflator could degrade over time and explode, sending sharp metal fragments towards you or other occupants.
Risk if Unfixed
If the airbag inflator explodes, it could cause serious injury or even death from the sharp metal fragments. Imagine being in a crash and the airbag deploying, but instead of protecting you, it sends shards of metal flying towards you.
Free Fix
Your Ford dealer will replace the faulty airbag inflator with a new one, free of charge. Don't drive your vehicle until the repair is done – schedule an appointment as soon as you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #18V775000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
What Happened
The passenger air bag in your vehicle is a safety feature that deploys in a crash to protect you from injury. In some 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln MKZ models, the air bag's bracket can break, causing it to leak gas and not inflate properly.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag doesn't inflate as it's supposed to, you're at higher risk of getting hurt in a crash. This is a serious safety issue that could lead to serious injury.
Free Fix
Your Ford dealer will replace the faulty air bag module for free. This is an important repair that you should schedule as soon as possible once you receive the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ vehicles that previously received a replacement passenger air bag under recall 16V-384, 17V-024 or 18V-046. In the event of a crash requiring deployment of the passenger air bag, the bracket that secures the air bag inflator to the module housing may deform, allowing the gas that inflates the air bag to leak out.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Original — Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S34.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #17V024000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
What Happened
The passenger airbag in your vehicle is a safety device that deploys in a crash to protect you. In some models, the inflator that makes the airbag work could rupture and break into sharp metal pieces.
Risk if Unfixed
If the airbag inflator ruptures, sharp metal fragments could hit you in the face or chest, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Ford dealers will replace the faulty airbag inflator for free, as soon as parts become available. You should not drive your vehicle until the repair is done. You'll get a letter with instructions on what to do next, and you can contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332 for more information.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

AIR BAGS
5 recalls
STEERING
1 recall

Other LINCOLN MKZ Years

2020
1 recall
2019
1 recall
2018
2 recalls
2017
4 recalls
2016
7 recalls
2015
11 recalls
2014
14 recalls
2013
13 recalls
2011
7 recalls
2010
9 recalls
2009
7 recalls
2008
5 recalls
2007
5 recalls
2006
4 recalls

Related Pages

2011 LINCOLN MKZ Recalls 2013 LINCOLN MKZ Recalls All LINCOLN Recalls LINCOLN MKZ Recall History