NHTSA has 281 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Lincoln MKZ[1]. The air bags group is the biggest, with 166 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Owner reports on file fall into a few groups, and these are the biggest.
- Air Bags. 166 complaints[2]. Owners describe getting a recall notice about the air bags and then waiting a long time because repair parts were not available. In the stories we read, one driver says the air bags did not deploy in a crash on an icy road.
- Brakes. 73 complaints[5]. Owners describe a brake pedal that sinks toward the floor, sometimes after hitting a pothole. Others describe brakes that did not respond when needed, dashboard warning lights that stayed on, and a pedal that sits so close to the gas pedal that a foot can press the wrong one.
- Wheels. 32 complaints[6]. Owners describe the finish on the aluminum wheels bubbling, peeling and corroding. They say this lets air leak out around the tire and leaves the tires low on pressure.
- Electrical System. 8 complaints[7]. Owners describe hard to read message center displays, warning lights, a stall without warning and a failed computer.
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2008 MKZ is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (21V158), March 2021. About 2,602,668 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[8]
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module (19V904), December 2019. About 600,166 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[9]
- Remedy pending
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V024), January 2017. About 654,695 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. The remedy was not yet available when this record was filed.[10] - Remedy pending
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V384), May 2016. About 1,892,343 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. The remedy was not yet available when this record was filed.[11]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKZ 4DR SEDAN[15] | 191 in | 72 in | 56 in | 107 in | 3,534 lb |
How 2008 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 259 | 4 |
| 2008 | 281 | 4 |
| 2009 | 114 | 6 |
| 2010 | 170 | 7 |
| 2011 | 185 | 5 |
| 2012 | 205 | 5 |
| 2013 | 122 | 12 |
| 2014 | 125 | 13 |
| 2015 | 97 | 10 |
| 2016 | 71 | 6 |
| 2017 | 158 | 4 |
| 2018 | 37 | 2 |
| 2019 | 23 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 | 1 |
NHTSA's counts for the MKZ show 281 complaints and 4 recalls for 2008[3]. Among the 14 model years listed, 13 have fewer complaints than 2008 and 0 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2020 (3) and the most are for 2008 (281)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2008 MKZ?
The 2008 MKZ has 281 complaints on file, and air bags and brakes make up the largest groups[1][2][5]. The brake reports include 11 crashes, so they deserve a careful look[5]. The page shows 4 recalls for this model year[3]. Check the Recalls section above before you buy or drive one. Treat these reports as owner experiences that NHTSA has not verified[1].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lincoln MKZ?
- Air bags lead with 166 complaints[2], followed by brakes with 73[5] and wheels with 32[6].
- Does the 2008 Lincoln MKZ have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year data shows 4 recalls[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Lincoln MKZ?
- See the Fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.
- Is the 2008 Lincoln MKZ reliable?
- NHTSA has 281 complaints for this model year[1]. Read the problem groups above and check the Recalls and Safety sections before deciding.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Lincoln MKZ
Compare all model years of the Lincoln MKZ
Other Lincoln models from 2008
Similar cars from 2008: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 281 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Lincoln MKZ (12 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 166 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Lincoln MKZ model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for MKZ FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 73 complaints name the brakes component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,608). NHTSA vehicle records
- 32 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,098). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 21V158, filed March 10, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V904, filed December 18, 2019: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V024, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V384, filed May 31, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for MKZ AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MKZ 4DR SEDAN: length 191 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,534 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov