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Model Year Problem Record

Lincoln MKZ 2012 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2012 Lincoln MKZ: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

146Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
5Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
3Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
22Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Air Bags68 complaints

68 complaints; 4 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 17V024000, 18V775000, 19V001000, 21V158000.

Unknown Or Other23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering20 complaints

20 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 15V340000.

Brakes20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

15V340000Reported June 2, 2015 - 393,623 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on June 2, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 393,623 vehicles across all affected models.

17V024000Reported January 10, 2017 - 654,695 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 10, 2017. The campaign covers an estimated 654,695 vehicles across all affected models. NHTSA records carry a do-not-drive advisory for this campaign.

Do Not Drive Advisory
18V775000Reported November 1, 2018 - 215 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on November 1, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 215 vehicles across all affected models.

19V001000Reported January 7, 2019 - 782,384 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 7, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 782,384 vehicles across all affected models. NHTSA records carry a do-not-drive advisory for this campaign.

Do Not Drive Advisory
21V158000Reported March 10, 2021 - 2,602,668 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on March 10, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 2,602,668 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA21002Opened September 17, 2021 - Open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA21002Opened September 17, 2021 - Open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE14030Opened October 2, 2014 - Closed September 10, 2015

Electric power steering failure. Resulted in recall campaign 15V340000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20121
20132
20141
20155
20168
201742
201828
201915
202013
202115
20224
20235
20245
20252
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.