Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Lincoln MKS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The brakes keep failing on my 09 Lincoln mks. It has happen 4 times. Each time 4 different shops said the brake booster, abs system or master cylinder is bad. Have replaced each time and it will last 6 months and it the brakes will go bad again. A few times I was in traffic and couldn't stop until the last minute luckily I haven't ran into anyone yet . That's a very scary situation. Yes I have took to a dealer and independent service centers. No it haven't been inspected by manufacture no more than the dealership I got it from. No warnings or anything other than the brake paddle going all the way to then floor. I've also had problems with the sway bar. They have been replaced twice. I have been on many forums and even people I have ran into say their Lincoln is doing the same exact thing. Please we need answers
Brake pedal when coming to stop sometimes goes all way to floor. When sitting at ideal speed the brake pedal will go all way to floor. This has been a problem for the past year and reported to Lincoln dealer for warranty work under a seven year warranty. Car accelerates when brakes depressed when coming to stop and foot is on brakes and brake pedal is depressed and edge of foot also hits accelerates. Dealer had auto from late July 2015 till jan. 5, 2016. Problem still exists as of jan. 5 2016 but dealer states that it is my fault, took to another dealer and the service guy said the reason the brake pedal goes to floor is that Lincoln has what he called a pass through brake system. When car is not running the brake pedal is solid and will not go to floor. While I took car to dealer for this problem in July 2015 it has been a problem for several years but keeps getting worse. …
Breaks on london MKS 2009, the breaks on this car continuer to have problems. I have taken it to multiple shops and no-one can find the problem. I have replaced the master cylinder, breaks, rotor, checked break line and they are all good and continue to grease the caliper pins. Breaks go to floor when trying to stop, replace the breaks and rotors way to often.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that the parking brake failed to engage after the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was not available.
While making a left turn at slow speed, the front brake locked up without my foot on the brake (11/2014). It has also happened twice since then. Dealer has checked it out twice and has found nothing.
In December 2013, I took my 2009 Lincoln MKS to the dealer for service because it occasionally accelerates before slowing down when I apply the brakes. On a different occasion I was behind a car that slowed down then came to a complete stop to avoid hitting a deer. I applied the brakes, my car slowed down and made a weird noise as if the car was trying to start up; instead of coming to a complete stop, it kept going while my foot was on the brakes. The technician drove me and my son around the block but could not duplicate the problem. I was informed that if the check engine light is not on, or if there are no codes, and if they cannot duplicate the problem, there was nothing they could do. …
While driving home last evening,I slowed for the stop light @ rt 83 & rt 7, in palos heights, il. As I came to a complete stop, my brakes locked, vibrations shook the entire vehicle, I released the brake pedal, and began to smell a burning smell--no brake failure light came on. I inched forward- a loud grindingsound was evident. I stopped the vehicle- waited for the light to change, began driving when the light changed- slowly the grinding, vibrations, and smell, stopped as I approached 10 MPH. My wife was riding in the in the vehicle and can verify all that is stated. On 11/14/08 receipt # cs320391 was serviced on my vehicle @ 1,532 miles, to address grinding brakes. My current milage is 40,651, with a more severe problem. I researched the Lincoln owners website and found TSB 09-24-14 has been issued to address this this problem. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Lincoln MKS. While driving the vehicle at speeds of at least 20 MPH, the vehicle would exhibit a dragging sensation. The vehicle then abnormally accelerated without driver intent. The dealer could not duplicate the failure and advised installing an event data recorder (or black box) in the vehicle to record any further failures. The contact stated she felt her safety was at risk while occupying the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000 and the current mileage was 9,701. Updated 05/26/10 the consumer stated when attempting to merge into traffic, the brakes locked up and the vehicle came to a complete stop. Updated 05/28/10.
Brake pads--I took the Lincoln MKS 2009 to the dealer complaining about the noise of the brakes (6) times. On the 5th visit they replaced the brake pads-- as I was driving the brakes continued to make noise then the brakes locked up on me for a short period of time- I returned to a dealer about this and was told the pads they put on did not correct the problem and they had to order different pads and some other parts to fix the problem-- it would take about 2 wks. To get the parts in. I turned the car in and purchased a 2010. I was told I needed to file under the lemon law to try and get any compensation. I did not trust that car and it was very unsafe to drive.
Brakes and support brackets are defective on the 2009 Lincoln MKS...I have had the brake pads replaced twice in the last eight months and now they tell me they need to install special brackets relating to the brakes. I had a serious problem trying to stop my vehicle late last year in 2009 and reported to the dealership. They could find nothing wrong but did change my brake pads shortly thereafter for the second time...now they are telling me that they are trying to expedite the parts from the factory within the next two weeks...I think this should be a major recall and all persons driving 2009 MKS vehicles should be alerted to the dangerous situation.
Brake complaints in other MKS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2009 Lincoln MKS?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Lincoln MKS, 38% of the model year's 56 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Lincoln MKS brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2009 Lincoln MKS, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Lincoln MKS brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 22,000 miles, and 53% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.