Certain 2006-2010 Model Year Fusion/Milan/MKZ/Zephyr Vehicles Equipped with Anti-Lock Brake Systems DOT 3 Brake Fluid and Anti-Lock Brake System Function In some of the affected vehicles, customers may return to the dealer with complaints of extended brake pedal travel after either 19S54 or 20S14 was previously performed and the program is closed
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Lincoln MKZ brakes problems
severe 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 23 brakes complaints filed for the 2009 Lincoln MKZ, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Brakes accounts for 20% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
SOME 2008-2017 FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC MAY GENERATE A VHR THAT IDENTIFIES A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION CATEGORY INDICATING SERVICE IS REQUIRED DUE TO A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED. IF THE PARK BRAKE WAS APPLIED WHEN THE VHR WAS GATHERING DATA FROM THE MAJOR VEHICLE SYSTEMS, THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION MESSAGE WILL BE REPORTED AS THE VHR LOOKS FOR ANY WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. RERUN THE VHR WITH THE ENGINE ON AND VEHICLE IN PARK, AND ENSURE THE PARK BRAKE IS DISENGAGED. IF THE SYNC VHR IS STILL REPORTING A CONCERN TO THE CUSTOMERS SYNC OWNERS ACCOUNT, REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE WORKSHOP MANUAL SECTION FOR DIAGNOSIS BY
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SOME 2008-2017 FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC MAY GENERATE A VHR THAT IDENTIFIES A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION CATEGORY INDICATING SERVICE IS REQUIRED DUE TO A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED. IF THE PARK BRAKE WAS APPLIED WHEN THE VHR WAS GATHERING DATA FROM THE MAJOR VEHICLE SYSTEMS, THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION MESSAGE WILL BE REPORTED AS THE VHR LOOKS FOR ANY WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. RERUN THE VHR WITH THE ENGINE ON AND VEHICLE IN PARK, AND ENSURE THE PARK BRAKE IS DISENGAGED. IF THE SYNC VHR IS STILL REPORTING A CONCERN TO THE CUSTOMERS SYNC OWNERS ACCOUNT, REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE WORKSHOP MANUAL SECTION FOR DIAGNOSIS BY
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report brake pedal loss of function as the primary failure mode, with the pedal either going to or near the floorboard or requiring excessive travel and pressure to achieve a stop. Some describe the problem as intermittent—normal for hours or days, then recurring without warning. ABS activation on slippery roads sometimes precedes or triggers extended pedal travel. Several owners experienced complete brake failure while driving at highway speeds, resulting in collisions with a tree and a commercial truck; one crash deployed airbags and caused a head injury.
The December 2019 recall (19V904 / 19S54) identifies a stuck valve in the Hydraulic Control Unit as the cause. However, recall parts were unavailable from December 2019 through at least October 2020—over ten months—leaving owners stranded with unfixed safety issues. Dealers offered interim repairs (ABS module, caliper, and pad replacement) at customer expense, running $1,600 or more, with promised reimbursement that did not materialize. One dealer refused to perform the recall without payment for an unrelated ECU repair. Owners report manufacturer and dealer finger-pointing on reimbursement responsibility and vague timelines for parts availability.
Same Lincoln MKZ brakes reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Brake pedal loss of function / extended pedal travel
Brake pedal goes to or near the floorboard with no stopping effect, or requires excessive pedal pressure and travel to achieve a stop. Some owners report the pedal goes to the floor initially then functions normally again hours later. No warning lights typically illuminate before or during the event.
When: Mileage range 22,000 to 144,895 miles. Events reported from 2019 onwards. One owner experienced repeated incidents over 4 months (October 2019 to April 2020). Another noted intermittent episodes triggered by ABS activation on snowy roads.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal travels to or near the floorboard with no braking response; Extended braking distance required to stop the vehicle; Soft or spongy brake pedal feel; Excessive pedal pressure needed to achieve a stop; Intermittent loss of braking; normal function returns after time (hours to days); Problem triggered or worsened after ABS activation; No warning lights or dashboard alerts
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 19V904000, Manufacturer 19S54
Repairs/costs cited: Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) / ABS module replacement mentioned in multiple repairs. One owner paid $1,623.95 for HCU replacement at dealership. Multiple owners report dealerships replaced calipers, pads, and ABS control modules as interim fixes before recall parts became available. Air in brake lines noted in at least one case ($77.50 bleeding charge).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V904 (19S54) issued December 18, 2019 due to stuck valve in Hydraulic Control Unit. Multiple owners report recall parts were unavailable from December 2019 through at least October 2020 (10+ months after recall issuance). Dealers unable to complete recall work. Lincoln/Ford cited supply chain difficulties. One owner told dealer could repair 'off recall' for $1,000+ with eventual Ford reimbursement, but reimbursement did not materialize despite dealer claims of twice submitting paperwork. Another owner told Ford would not reimburse; dealer responsibility. One dealer refused recall repair until owner paid $777 for unrelated ECU repair first.
Brake failure with crash
Complete loss of braking during active driving, resulting in vehicle collisions. Owners could not stop the vehicle despite brake pedal application.
When: Approximately 88,096 to 110,000 miles. Incidents reported at 40 mph and while parking-lot evasion at unspecified speed.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depressed with no stopping response; Accelerated impact into obstacles (tree, commercial truck, gate); Brake pedal goes to floorboard; Abnormal vibration during failed braking attempt; No warning lights before incident
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 19V904000, Manufacturer 19S54
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles were towed. One crash required airbag deployment; driver sustained head injury but declined medical attention. Collision repairs were done but subsequent brake failures continued even after brake system repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V904 (19S54) issued. Owners contacted manufacturer legal department with no response reported in one case. Dealers mentioned extended warranty; one suggested towing but vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Lincoln mkz. The contact stated that while approaching a red light, the brake pedal was depressed to floorboard while attempting to bring the vehicle to a stop however, the vehicle failed to stop and the driver had to proceed through the red light with speed to avoid a crash. The brake pedal returned to normal function and the contact drove the vehicle to the…
After ABS activation on a snowy road, break pedal needs much longer travel to engage brakes than before the ABS went off. Pedal feels spongy and requires much greater distance before the brakes feel like they begin to apply. Multiple ABS stops, 100 mile of travel and a day of not driving it have not made the problem any better. Car is 2009 mkz with 81000 miles.
Had brakes trouble with your 2009 Lincoln MKZ?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2009 Lincoln MKZ?
It's a meaningful issue. 23 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 81,000 and 113,000 miles, with the median around 94,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 81,000; a quarter make it past 113,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Lincoln/MKZ.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.