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2012 Lincoln

MKZ FWD

Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L

Lincoln MKZ: best and worst years
2012 Lincoln MKZ FWD
2012 photoLotPro CarsCC BY-SA 2.0Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Body
Midsize CarsEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Transmission
Automatic (S6)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Powertrain
GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Fuel
RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Engine & performance

Cyl
6EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Efficiency

MPG Hwy
27 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
MPG City
18 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
MPG Comb
21 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Fuel $/yr
$2,950EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Smog score
5/10
Elec. Range
0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
SmartWay certified
No

Dimensions & capacity

Length
191 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Width
72 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Height
56 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Wheelbase
107 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Curb Weight
3,600 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Pass. Vol
99 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Cargo Vol
16 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Safety NHTSA, model year

⚠ This model year has a recall advising owners to park outside or away from structures (fire risk). Check with the manufacturer.

Overall crash rating
★★★★
Rollover rating
★★★★
Stability control (ESC)
Standard
Forward-collision warning
No
Lane-departure warning
No
Recalls
6
Owner complaints
146
Reported injuries
9
Theft rate
0.7 per 1,000 produced (CY 2012 federal data)

Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • AIR BAGS39%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER13%
  • STEERING11%
  • SERVICE BRAKES10%
  • STRUCTURE6%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 176 total.

Lincoln MKZ: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • DP22005opened Jan 27, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM

    Pedestrian alert sounds

  • EA21002Openopened Sep 17, 2021AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

  • PE14030opened Oct 2, 2014STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

    Electric power steering failure

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

43 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • Feb 24, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSSM 54601

    Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applica

  • Oct 10, 2024UNKNOWN OR OTHERSSM 53040

    While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmis

  • Apr 24, 2024EQUIPMENTSSM 52476

    All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is lost, follow these steps to recover the code. Dealer

  • Feb 8, 2024ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGSSM 52243

    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 and MERCON® V in the same transmission is acceptable. After 31-Jan-2024, Motorcraft® Premium ATF will no longer be manufactured and will only be available until inventory depletes.

  • Jul 27, 2023AIR BAGS22B05 S1

    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 SUPPLEMENT • Updated Ranger Technical Information to include images of a pass and fail airbag inflator inspection for 2007-2011 model years.

  • May 26, 2023STEERINGSSM 51666

    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

  • Apr 7, 2023POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)TSB 23-2098

    Some 2010-2012 Fusion hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), 2010-2011 Milan HEV and 2011-2012 MKZ HEV vehicles may experience reduced electric vehicle operation and increased gasoline engine operation around 10 years of vehicle age and beyond. This may be due to software in the battery energy control module (BECM) and the powertrain control module (PCM). To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to reprogram the BECM and PCM.

  • Sep 1, 2022EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL22G04

    Certain 2010 – 2012 Model Year Fusion / MKZ / Milan Hybrid Vehicles Hybrid Battery Reduced Electric Vehicle Operation BECM and PCM Software Update In all the affected vehicles, outdated software may result in reduced EV-only mode performance earlier in the life of the vehicle than intended.

  • and 35 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
4 yr / 50k mi
Powertrain
6 yr / 70k mi
EV battery
8 yr / 100k mi

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.