49 CFR Part 579.5 Monthly Communications - January 2016
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Lincoln MKZ airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Lincoln MKZ have filed 7 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 MKZ | 68 |
| 2013 MKZ | 3 |
| 2016 MKZ (this page) | 7 |
3crashes
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 7 airbags complaints filed for the 2016 Lincoln MKZ, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 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 airbags 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.
49 CFR Part 579.5 Monthly Communications - March 2016 Air bag warning light illuminated with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B141B and/or B141C
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owned a 2016 Lincoln mkz. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle that stopped abruptly. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a body shop. The dealer was contacted (sherwood automotive, salisbury, md, 410-548-46), but did…
Takata recall-need to replace air bags but no communication from dealer
My airbags didn't deploy resulting in me having life-long injuries. I had a car accident in august 31st, 2017. I t-boned a vehicle that came out of a parking lot illegally resulting in the accident. My airbags didn't deploy. If they had I would not have sustained the injuries that I did. It was over $17,000 worth of damage to my vehicle.
No recalls noticed on this auto. No airbag issues as yet am I eligible to join the class action settlement. Is there a form I must fill out? 2016 Lincoln mkz VIN # [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr
Had airbags trouble with your 2016 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 airbags problem on the 2016 Lincoln MKZ?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 20,002 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2016/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.