2007 Lincoln MKZ problems & reliability
259 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 Lincoln MKZ, alongside 4 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
5 complaints report injuries (6 injured, 2 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2007 Lincoln MKZ vehicles were involved in 18 fatal crashes with 11 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 184 | 71% |
| Service Brakes | 29 | 11% |
| Wheels | 18 | 7% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 14 | 5% |
| Electrical System | 7 | 3% |
| Power Train | 7 | 3% |
| Engine | 6 | 2% |
| Unknown OR Other | 6 | 2% |
| Structure | 5 | 2% |
| Seats | 4 | 2% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 77,728 miles (middle 50% between 48,000 and 125,250 miles), based on 96 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Internal Water pump Failed causing immediate shutdown of vehicle. This water pump is internal to the engine and requires half of the engine be taken apart to be replaced. This affect all 3.5 and 3.7 Ford engines through 2021. Unlike traditional water pumps which are belt driven this one is driven by the timing chain…”
Power Train · filed Jun 11, 2026
“Under the following recall [XXX] Recall was performed in 2022 by Ford of Upland by replacing only the brake fluid. The problem resurfaced just as described in the recall a while back. I contacted Ford on 5/21 they contacted the dealer who refused to repair at no cost. Car is currently at independent respected shop who…”
Service Brakes · filed May 22, 2026
“Varsity Ford Lincoln is refusing to fix open recalls. My vehicle has been sitting with them for 90 days. Lincoln is refusing to help. Now the dealership in a letter is stating they are not going to fix the open recalls because I have to pay them money to fix my brakes before they'll do that in a text. They are…”
Air Bags · filed Mar 6, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Extended Braking Distance
Engineering Analysis EA18002 · opened Apr 18, 2018 · closed Jan 15, 2021 · led to recall 19V904000
- Floor mat interference with accelerator
Engineering Analysis EA12009 · opened Dec 12, 2012 · closed Jun 12, 2014 · led to recall 14E028000
- TIRE VALVE CRACKING
Preliminary Evaluation PE08060 · opened Oct 14, 2008 · closed Apr 9, 2009
Technical service bulletins
14 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2007 Lincoln MKZ. The 10 most recent:
When performing any transmission fluid change or topoff involving Motorcraft® Premium ATF, MERCON® V has replaced all versions of Motorcraft® Premium ATF and can be used going forward. Mixing Motorcraft® Premium ATF…
SSM 52243 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 8, 2024
Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection REASON FOR THIS…
22B05 S1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 27, 2023
Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection: Ford Motor…
22B05 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 28, 2022
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…
21N11-S3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 7, 2021
Certain 2006-2008 Model Year Fusion and Milan, 2006 Zephyr, 2007-2008 MKZ and 2007-2008 Edge, MKX and Ranger Vehicles - Driver Airbag Inflator Replacement
17B23-S1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 8, 2018
Certain 2006-2008 Model Year Fusion and Milan, 2006 Zephyr, 2007-2008 MKZ and 2007-2008 Edge, MKX and Ranger Vehicles - Driver Airbag Inflator Replacement
17B23-S1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 8, 2018
Certain 2006-2008 Model Year Fusion and Milan, 2006 Zephyr, 2007-2008 MKZ and 2007-2008 Edge, MKX and Ranger Vehicles - Driver Airbag Inflator Replacement
17B23 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 11, 2017
Some 2007-2016 edge/mkx/flex/mkt/mkz/mks/taurus/taurus police/explorer/explorer police equipped with all wheel drive (awd) and built on or before 30-jun-2016 may exhibit a ticking and/or knocking noise coming from the…
SSM 46412 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 27, 2017
The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a…
SSM 46085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 21, 2016
Ford/lincoln/mercury: some vehicles, with diagnostic codes (dtcs) p0351, p0352, p0353, p0354, p0355, may experience a malfunction indicator lamp in the powertrain control module (pcm) and one or more coil on plug(s)…
TSB-13-4-17 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 24, 2013
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2007 Lincoln MKZ has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2007 Lincoln MKZ?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 77,728 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.