MYRModel Year Report

2008 Lincoln MKZ

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2008 Lincoln MKZ
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
281
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

59% of complaints

Complaints per year

2007: 259 complaints 2008: 281 complaints 2008 281 2009: 114 complaints 2010: 169 complaints 2011: 145 complaints 2011 2012: 146 complaints 2013: 109 complaints 2013 2014: 97 complaints 2015: 79 complaints 2015 2016: 65 complaints 2017: 139 complaints 2017 2018: 35 complaints 2019: 21 complaints 2019 2020: 2 complaints
2007: 259 complaints 2007 2008: 281 complaints 2008 281 2009: 114 complaints 2009 2010: 169 complaints 2010 2011: 145 complaints 2011 2012: 146 complaints 2012 2013: 109 complaints 2013 2014: 97 complaints 2014 2015: 79 complaints 2015 2016: 65 complaints 2016 2017: 139 complaints 2017 2018: 35 complaints 2018 2019: 21 complaints 2019 2020: 2 complaints 2020
2007: 259 complaints 2007 2008: 281 complaints 2008 281 2009: 114 complaints 2009 2010: 169 complaints 2010 2011: 145 complaints 2011 2012: 146 complaints 2012 2013: 109 complaints 2013 2014: 97 complaints 2014 2015: 79 complaints 2015 2016: 65 complaints 2016 2017: 139 complaints 2017 2018: 35 complaints 2018 2019: 21 complaints 2019 2020: 2 complaints 2020

2008: 281 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20060
2007259
2008281
2009114
2010169
2011145
2012146
2013109
201497
201579
201665
2017139
201835
201921
20202

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

59% · 167 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and inflator module.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that the brake, the driver seat belt and air bags failed. The contact experienced an intended acceleration.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-01-27

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKZ. The contact was driving approximately 25 MPH on icy road conditions. The vehicle loss control and crashed into a brick wall. The frontair bag system failed to deploy with the massive impact.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-01-04

Bought vehicle from owner 02/2023. Check brake system light came on a few months after, breaks started to skip and making a sound. Took it in to Ford dealership and they showed 2 recalls but never said it would be fixed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-10

Also filed under Service brakes

Service brakes

28% · 78 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Hpu has recall on it for brakes. My hpu failed once already. Lincoln dealership referred me to Lincoln. Recall is sometime next quarter when they have parts.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-12-30

Brake pedal goes all the way to the floor, vehicle increasingly difficult to stop after ABS event. 11/10/18-dealer performed diagnostics indicating rear rotors need replacing, authorized repair.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-11-13

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKZ. While the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. As a result, the vehicle was involved in a front end collision. A police report was not filed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-09-05

Wheels

11% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing rim.

Electrical system

3% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel.

Power train

2% · 6 reports

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2008Complaint volume 281 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2008-10-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-04-09 Tire valve cracking
  3. I
    2010-05-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2013-01-11 Accel Pedal Interference - Acc Floormat
  4. I
    2012-12-12Engineering analysisClosed 2014-06-12 Floor mat interference with accelerator
  5. R
    2014-07-26Equipment14E028000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain all weather driver side accessory floor mats sold for use in model year 2006-2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, and 2007-2011 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 9, 2007,...

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement mats, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S07.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2018-02-02Air bags16V384000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2018-02-14Air bags17V024000 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,...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2018-04-18Engineering analysisClosed 2021-01-15 Extended Braking Distance
  9. R
    2021-04-01Service brakes, hydraulic19V904000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2021-04-09Air bags21V158000 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.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Lincoln MKZ — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 167 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 78 reports on file for this year.
  • Wheels: 32 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 14E028000 · Equipment
  • Recall 16V384000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V024000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V904000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 21V158000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Lincoln MKZ reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Lincoln MKZ is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lincoln MKZ?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 59% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Lincoln MKZ have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.