2009 Lincoln MKS problems
The 2009 Lincoln MKS has 56 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2009 Lincoln MKS has 56 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 18 complaints, typically surfacing around 39,877 miles (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 MKS (this page) | 56 | 0 |
| 2010 MKS | 51 | 0 |
| 2011 MKS | 43 | 0 |
| 2012 MKS | 16 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Lincoln MKS? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- brakes — 18 owner reports · tends to show around 39,877 mi · ~$450 to fix
- airbags — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 119,000 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- cruise control — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 64,181 mi · ~$600 to fix
- engine — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 109,285 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 119,000 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2009 Lincoln MKS
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Lincoln mks. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a crash and the air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Lincoln mks. After he picked up his vehicle from the dealer, he smelled engine oil burning. He was told that because it was a new vehicle, it was normal. He continued to smell the odor, and then noticed leakage on his garage floor. He looked under the…
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Lincoln mks. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the passenger side door of the vehicle. No air bags in the vehicle deployed. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The driver…
I purchased a mopar vehicle protection plan as my first extended plan from Chrysler for a pre-owned 2009 Lincoln mks model. I took the vehicle into a reputable Lincoln-Ford dealership to have a few issues resolved. These issues are: 1) bad smelling fumes entering the cabin of…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Lincoln MKS reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Lincoln MKS is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Lincoln MKS?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Lincoln MKS does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Lincoln MKS?
Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 18 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 39,877 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Lincoln MKS a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 56 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 39,877 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Lincoln MKS?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 18 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 39,877 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 39,877 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Lincoln MKS has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Lincoln MKS?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 56 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.