Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Lincoln MKZ owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while parked in a semi-truck parking lot, another driver was reversing where she was blocking, and the contact then attempted to avoid the collision and drive forward. The accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle accelerated excessively, and the brake pedal was then depressed but failed to respond. Upon a second attempt, the brake pedal went to the floorboard, accompanied by an abnormal vibration. Consequently, the vehicle crashed into a tree. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the incident. The driver mentioned a previous incident where the vehicle reversed into a gate. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The brakes had been checked previously and were reportedly functioning properly. …
The contact owns a 2009 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair and the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) was tested but failed. The dealer informed the contact that the HCU part for the recall repair was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that they had difficulties obtaining the part for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 22,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Leaking brakes had to be fixed twice before recalled parts were available. When the last repair was done, dealership said they would reimburse us (since we paid full price) recalled parts labor that we had to pay for since they were on the recall. This has never happened even though we have tried multiple times to remedy. Dealership says they sent in paperwork to Ford twice for the reimbursement as they don't do that. Ford Motor Company says they dont do it that it is up to the dealer. In summary, recalled brakes were finally repaired but we had to pay full price for them though it says parts and labor would be free.
The contact owns a 2009 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Ford MKZ. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH the braking system failed when pressing the brake pedal causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a commercial truck. During the crash no injuries were reported. A police report( [redacted]) was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The vehicle damage was repaired but brake failures continued. After retrieving the vehicle the brake failure continue and the brake was spongy causing the braking distance to be extended. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer colminger Ford(5011 jake alexander blvd s. Salsbury nc) on several occasions for the brake failure. The ABS module and braking assembly and control (y) were all replaced but the failures continued to occur. The contact recently received a recall notice for the NHTSA recall campaign number 19V904000(braking system). …
Brake pedal went all the way and touch body. It happened twice in two months and 2nd time resulted in to car wreck on 5 miles per hour speed. It is very disappointing Lincoln seems to know about the issue but took a long time to cover with remedy. * (recall related incident) ts
Re: safety recall notice 19s54/NHTSA recall 19v-904 2009 Lincoln MKZ VIN#[redacted] dear Lincoln concierge: I would like to file a claim pertaining to the safety recall listed above. I spent 4 months having braking issues and had my Lincoln towed 3 times because of brake problems. Following having these problems, I received a recall notice for brakes. Here is the timeline of my brake problems. 10/14/2019$422.96firestone replaced brake pads on front and back 11/2/2019 aaa towed Lincoln back to Firestone for brake failure 11/2/2019 Firestone replace calipers and pads on rear left 11/3/2019 Firestone brake pedal too soft 3/5/2020 aaa towed Lincoln back to Firestone for brake failure 3/5/2020 Firestone states air getting into brake line 4/22/2020$77.50aaa tows Lincoln to jones service center (car dealership) total brake failure, [redacted] membership fee 4/22/2019$1,623.95jones service …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V904000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. Doral Lincoln (9000 nw 12th st, doral, fl 33172; [phone]) was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle took an excessive amount of time before coming to stop. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floor for the vehicle to come to a stop. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V904000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Fort mill Ford (801 gold hill rd, fort mill, sc 29708) was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. There was no warning light illuminated. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was approximately 144,895.
Unintentional acceleration incident report 2009 Lincoln MKZ, VIN: [redacted] the car was purchased by its present owner in June 2012 after it came off lease with 26334 miles. Since that time, the vehicle has been well maintained by Lincoln automotive dealerships and now has 85447 miles on it. It has had four (4) incidents of unintended acceleration. See attached pdf file (MKZ joint report [redacted]) for details
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not close properly.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap.
NHTSA investigations
Extended Braking Distance
On April 18, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis (EA) 18-002 to investigate reports of braking concerns in model year (MY) 2006-12 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, and MY 2006-11 Mercury Milan vehicles manufactured with Continental Automotive System?s ABS hydraulic control units (HCUs).
Brake complaints in other MKZ years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2009 Lincoln MKZ?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Lincoln MKZ, 22% of the model year's 114 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Lincoln MKZ brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-904 (control unit/module, Dec 18, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Lincoln MKZ brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.