Some 2010-2012 Fusion/Milan and 2011-2012 MKZ vehicles equipped with a 2.5L or 3.0L engine and electronic power assist steering (EPAS), a remanufactured replacement steering gear (MU2Z-3V504-ARM) is available which is significantly less expensive than a new replacement gear. When conducting repairs that are customer pay, offer the customer a remanufactured gear when possible. This would include vehicles not included in field service action (FSA) 15N01 (built on or before 7-Sep-2010) or vehicles included in FSA 15N01 that have exceeded the 10 year/150,000 mile terms of the program.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Lincoln MKZ steering problems
severe Owners of the 2012 Lincoln MKZ have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 79,814 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 MKZ | 3 |
| 2011 MKZ | 32 |
| 2012 MKZ (this page) | 20 |
| 2013 MKZ | 16 |
| 2014 MKZ | 25 |
| 2015 MKZ | 7 |
| 2016 MKZ | 12 |
5crashes
4injuries
What stands out
Among the 9 model years of Lincoln MKZ in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 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 steering 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 2010-2016 EPAS EQUIPPED VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT STEERING RELATED NOISES. THE WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM) DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN UPDATED IN SECTION 211-02. WHEN DIAGNOSING AND REPAIRING EPAS STEERING NOISES USE THE UPDATED PROCEDURES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗LINCOLN/FORD: STEERING SYSTEM SENSES, HALF FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS/REARWARD IS EXPERIENCING A HIGHER FRICTION CONDITION AND CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STABILITY/TRACTION TO ILLUMINATE. MODEL 2011-2012 FUSION, MKZ.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2012 Lincoln MKZ vehicles describe power steering failures that start intermittently and escalate to constant problems. Early symptoms include a "Power Steering Assist Fault" message and stiffened steering wheel that temporarily resolve when the car is shut down and restarted. As the fault progresses, restarts stop working as a remedy, and the steering becomes difficult or impossible to turn—sometimes locked—while driving at city speeds, highway speeds, or even while parked.
Multiple owners report complete steering failure during active driving: one owner's steering seized at 40 mph while turning, forcing the vehicle onto a curb and fracturing rims; another couldn't steer right on a curve and went down an embankment, injuring their knee; a third experienced simultaneous steering and brake control failure after being hit, requiring emergency brake pulls to stop. One owner replaced the rack and pinion module twice within 3.5 years.
An NHTSA recall (15V340000) addresses steering in 2012 Lincoln MKZ models, but multiple owners report their VINs were excluded despite the vehicles being built at the same facility and exhibiting identical failures. Dealers cite out-of-warranty status and quote $1,800–$2,500 for repairs. Owners note parts backlogs exceeding 1,700 units, creating month-long repair delays.
Same Lincoln MKZ steering reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering assist fault with intermittent loss of assist
Electronic power steering system fails intermittently, triggering 'Power Steering Assist Fault' messages and causing the steering wheel to stiffen or become difficult to turn. Most owners report the fault clears temporarily when the vehicle is turned off and restarted, but failures become more frequent over time—initially occurring every few months to every couple of weeks, eventually occurring on every drive.
When: 29,000 to 224,000 miles; complaints span from 2 months to years after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist fault message displayed on instrument panel; Service AdvanceTrac warning light illuminated; Steering wheel stiffened or became very difficult to turn in both directions or on turns; Audible chime when fault occurs; Manual steering required until power assist returns; Failures intermittent at first, then progressively more frequent
Codes mentioned: 15V340000 (NHTSA Campaign Number for Steering)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers diagnosed need for power steering gear/rack and pinion replacement; estimated $1,800–$2,500. Owners report part backlogs exceeding 1,700 units. Some owners replaced rack and pinion module twice within 3.5 years. Multiple owners report dealers said their VINs were not included in recall despite same factory build and identical symptoms.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 15V340000 issued for 2012 Lincoln MKZ steering system; however, multiple owners report their VINs were excluded from recall despite meeting criteria and receiving no recall notice. Manufacturer referred some owners to NHTSA and refused coverage citing vehicle age (over 10 years) or warranty expiration. One owner noted part has backlog of 1,700+ units.
Complete power steering failure during driving—loss of control hazard
Power steering system fails completely while vehicle is in motion, requiring excessive manual force to steer and resulting in inability to control the vehicle. In several instances, owners could not recover steering control and vehicles crashed into curbs, embankments, or other obstacles. Incidents occurred at speeds ranging from 15 mph in city driving to 60 mph on highways.
When: At varying mileage; incidents reported between 29,000 and 200,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel seized or became completely unresponsive; Excessive force required to steer vehicle; Vehicle drifted across lanes or went down embankment; Tires locked during turning maneuver; No steering recovery despite engine restart attempts; Traction control system light illuminated simultaneously; Both power steering and braking control compromised in one incident
Codes mentioned: 15V340000 (NHTSA Campaign Number for Steering)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had steering wheel seized at 40 mph and damaged rims and tires from driving onto curb; tires were replaced. Another owner needed PCM replacement after vehicle went down embankment. Dealer inspections identified rack and pinion failure in at least one case. Most repairs not completed due to cost and warranty denial.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in multiple cases; some referred to NHTSA. No manufacturer-initiated fixes offered outside the limited recall campaign 15V340000. Dealers stated VINs not included in recall system despite same factory origin and identical failure mode.
Directional power steering loss—steering failure on turns
Power steering assist cuts out selectively during certain turns (most commonly right turns), requiring driver to steer manually until wheels are straightened, at which point assist returns. This creates inconsistent and hazardous steering behavior.
When: Age and mileage not consistently stated; one complaint at operational stage
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering shuts off on right turns only; Manual steering required mid-turn; Power assist returns when wheels straightened; Inconsistent steering response
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspection found no fault; dealership attributed to 'new car design' and declined service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; dealer dismissed complaint as design characteristic.
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
After getting an oil change and battery software update, I headed home. Before arriving home the warning light to service Power steering and traction control came on. Returned to dealer, they said the power steering needed to be calibrated. Left and before making it home power steering stopped working and warning lights returned. Dealer has stated the power steering gear needs to be replaced but…
Had steering trouble with your 2012 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 steering problem on the 2012 Lincoln MKZ?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 29,000 and 135,000 miles, with the median around 79,814. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,000; a quarter make it past 135,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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/2012/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.