2008 Lincoln MKZ problems
The 2008 Lincoln MKZ has 328 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (51%) concerns air bags. Next are brakes (24%) and wheels (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 328 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 51% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 20 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 7 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 80,000 miles 149 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 11 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 13 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 24 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 26 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 19 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 17 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 16 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 12 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 4 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 5 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Of the 149 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 80,000 miles. For air bags specifically, the median reported mileage is about 70,000 miles (25 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 20 complaints mention a crash; 7 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2008 ranks 9th most-complained-about out of 12 model years of the Lincoln MKZ with enough data (30 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop and the emergency brake also failed to stop the vehicle. As a result the contact crashed into an embankment. The air bag failed to deploy.
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. The failure occurred without warning. The contact stated that the failure previously occurred twice. The vehicle was still operable. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. There were no injuries. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Check engine light went on .. Took to tech .. Timing issues .. Further examination reveled water pump leaking, timing chain stretched on one side .. Result required water pump replacement, timing chain replacement, replacement of right bank phaser and secondary chain and tentioner, replaced upper chain guides, replaced crank/sprocket. Total cost of repairs $2775.23 .. Mileage 88245 .. Detailed invoice from repair shop is available.