2012 Lincoln MKZ Steering Problems

NHTSA component category: STEERING · data through 07/14/2026

20Steering complaints

13.7%Of all 146 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How steering ranks on this vehicle

AIR BAGS68 · 46.6%

Unspecified / other22 · 15.1%

STEERING20 · 13.7%

SERVICE BRAKES17 · 11.6%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9 · 6.2%

Share of the 146 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Lincoln MKZ overview page.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, AN AUDIBLE CHIME WAS HEARD AFTER WHICH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST…”NHTSA complaint 11395224 — filed 02/08/2021

“THE ELECTRONIC STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. I WAS TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 5 MILES…”NHTSA complaint 11337748 — filed 07/06/2020

“I TURNED ON MY CAR AND RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM IN THE INFORMATION PANEL STATING, " POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". ITS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN…”NHTSA complaint 11324583 — filed 05/14/2020

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Steering complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Lincoln MKZ have steering problems?

Steering is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Lincoln MKZ: 20 of 146 complaints on file (13.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 Lincoln MKZ have in total?

146 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 10 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, 9 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's steering category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the STEERING category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.