2010 Lincoln MKZ problems
The 2010 Lincoln MKZ has 169 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2010 Lincoln MKZ has 169 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 95 complaints, typically surfacing around 78,255 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 MKZ | 259 | 0 |
| 2008 MKZ | 281 | 0 |
| 2009 MKZ | 114 | 0 |
| 2010 MKZ (this page) | 169 | 0 |
| 2011 MKZ | 184 | 0 |
| 2012 MKZ | 146 | 1 |
| 2013 MKZ | 108 | 1 |
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 7.6/10 — 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 2010 Lincoln MKZ? 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
- airbags — 95 owner reports · tends to show around 78,255 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- brakes — 33 owner reports · tends to show around 110,660 mi · ~$450 to fix
- electrical — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 63,772 mi · ~$850 to fix
- lighting — 6 owner reports · tends to show around 55,487 mi · ~$250 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 78,255 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: 7.6/10 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 2010 Lincoln MKZ
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 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Wrench light came on a few times when I checked it the codes were p2135 and p0122 and p1576 car didnt accelerate It happen again one time and then it was letting me accelerate but it was very limited
One evening I got into my car and was heading home from work when I used the brakes and they went all the way to the floor. I had no brakes. The part I replaced was the hydraulic brake control unit. It cost me almost 700.00 to repair. I have the proper paperwork if you need to…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Lincoln mkz. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v384000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.…
I was informed by friends following our vehicle that the driver side red brake light will illuminate with no change in brake pedal feel at nite when all the car lights are turned on. This I believe is a safety issue since drivers following our vehicle will not be aware when…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2010 Lincoln MKZ reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 169 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Lincoln MKZ 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 2010 Lincoln MKZ?
On the NHTSA data, the 2010 Lincoln MKZ 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 7.6/10 — 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 2010 Lincoln MKZ?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 95 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,255 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 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 2010 Lincoln MKZ a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 169 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 78,255 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 2010 Lincoln MKZ?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 95 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,255 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 78,255 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Lincoln MKZ 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 2010 Lincoln MKZ?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 169 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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.