Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Lincoln MKZ owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When I purchased my 2008 Lincoln AWD MKZ, new tires were part of the "deal". From the very beginning one tire (drivers side rear) was losing air. I went back to the dealer and they couldn't determine the problem. I have been back and forth to the dealer constantly ever since the purchase of my MKZ. At one point the dealer sent me to an independent tire company. They looked at the tire in question and I was told that the tire will not "bead" to the rim because of the flaking of the chrome on the rim. They did put a sealant on the areas but it was a temporary fix. Now I'm having a problem with the drivers side front wheel losing air. When the weather is cooler, the air leak is slower, during warm weather, the loss is faster. In the past two weeks I have had air added to the tires at least once each week. …
Retired us army veteran,,,,bought car used in 2010 with approx. 25,0000 miles from a dealer. It has chrome wheels. At approx 50,000 miles & 2015, the chrome on the wheels started peeling and I started getting low tire pressure warnings from slow leaking. Took it to the dealer< ( always dealer serviced) they said the rim is corroding and they have to remove the wheel and tire, break down the tire off the rim, grind the carrotion off the rim, put sealer on it and reinstall and rebalance the tire. Its not warranteed, so cost me $35 and took 1/2 hr. Since then I have had the other 3 wheels do the same. I was quoted $845 to replace all 4 chrome wheels with alumminium wheels and best to do that when need new tires. I am looking for a set of used alumminum wheels for it instead. Or get $1,000 less on a trade in for another 2 yr old used Lincoln MKZ. …
Chrome wheels did not use nickel undercoat and chrome peeled off causing air leaks and differential would moan from uneven tire pressure; bought 4 new after market wheels for $775 and solved problem. Front driving lights allowed water to penetrate from vent in wheel well causing to fill up with water and shorted out connectors. Covered vent holes. Rewired connector and water proofed the lighting assemblies but they are still very hazy from water damage. Dealer wanted $1,200 to replace them and said it is common. After market replacements cost $350 to $500 each; problem still not resolved and make an otherwise very pretty car look like cheep crap. Very nice car; stupid Ford problems.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that the rear drivers side rim was rusted to the point of corrosion causing damage to the rear drivers side tire. The contact mentioned that the tire constantly had to be inflated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who diagnosed that the rim and the tire needed to be replaced. The tire and rim were replaced but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the other three rims had rust and corrosion. The contact stated that all four tires were replaced and that the three rims May also deteriorate. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
The tires won't hold a seal and have continually small air leaks. I have to keep filling my tires with air every week or so. I have taken it to 3 different tire places and all say the same thing thing, the tires are good, wheels are not bent, and that it is a known issue with my car that the chrome erodes off and it will not hold a seal. Every single place has said the same thing and I continue to have the same experience. They will clean off the rim and reseal it and say as long as the chrome wheels keep eroding it will continue and it is so true!
After repairing brakes at my cost many times now they are recalled. I had to replace the Lincoln wheels at my cost after researching that many problems were reported. Also with only 65,000 miles on my car my transmission is out. I have had many electrical issues. It is clear that major issues is on the this model year. While driving my transmission failed. I towed the car to dealership and they want to now charge 4400.00 for the transmission. I am out of money with this vehicle and it was clearly poorly manufactured.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that the tire pressure monitoring system indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that all four tires exhibited low tire pressure due to the severely rusted rims. The four tires were inflated to the proper air pressure on numerous occasions; however, the failure recurred every two weeks. The rims were not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKZ. While driving unknown speeds, the rims shook. The contact called summerville Ford (9700 dorchester rd, summerville, sc 29485). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (palmetto Ford, 1625 savannah hwy, charleston, sc) where it was determined that the tires needed to be filled with nitrogen. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 24,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that air was continuously leaking from all four tires causing the tire pressure monitoring system to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the inner edge of the chrome wheels began to detiorate and pieces of chrome chipped off causing air to leak from the tires. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 26,000.
Tire pressure goes down quickly. I set tire pressure and within 2 days the tire pressure warning light comes on. Vehicle becomes un stable at speed and is difficult to control. I was driving and it was difficult to control the direction of the vehicle all of a sudden. My mechanic says the chrome finish on the wheels has corroded at the bead areas where the tire mounts and causes fast tire pressure loss. These are factory wheels.
NHTSA investigations
Tire valve cracking
On October 14, 2008, odi opened pe08-060 to investigate allegations of cracked and leaking snap-in tire valves in model year (my) 2007 vehicles manufactured by Ford motor company.the valves were supplied to Ford by topseal auto-parts, a subsidiary of the shanghai baolong automotive corporation in china.valves made by topseal for aftermarket sale were the subject of two recent safety recalls by tech international…
Wheel & Tire complaints in other MKZ years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2008 Lincoln MKZ?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2008 Lincoln MKZ, 11% of the model year's 281 complaints. The component named most often is pressure monitoring and regulating systems (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Lincoln MKZ wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 2008 Lincoln MKZ, though it has 4 recalls 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 2008 Lincoln MKZ wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
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.