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…
2012 Lincoln MKZ steering problems
severe 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
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.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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.