2012 Lincoln MKZ Steering Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  427%
• 25k–50k
  213%
• 50k–75k
  213%
• 75k–100k
  17%
• 100k–150k
  427%
• 150k+
  213%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Lincoln MKZ owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the power steering assist fault message intermittently appeared on the instrument panel. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle resume normal operation. Recently, the contact stated that the traction control and the power steering warning lights would illuminate at start-up and remained illuminated despite the engine restart. The contact also mentioned that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle while driving at various speeds. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer and he was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to steer in either direction. No warning light was illuminated. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had progressed over time. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it remained for further investigation; however, the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

After getting an oil change and battery software update, I headed home. Before arriving home the warning light to service Power steering and traction control came on. Returned to dealer, they said the power steering needed to be calibrated. Left and before making it home power steering stopped working and warning lights returned. Dealer has stated the power steering gear needs to be replaced but because the milage is 224,000 and the car is over 10 years old Ford will not extend the warranty and it will cost $2,500 to repair.

While driving I noticed that at times my steering wheel would be difficult to turn. At first, the problem seemed small until I was trying to make a left turn on a very busy 4-lane road, and without warning the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. I narrowly avoided being hit and ever since then, the steering has not been the same. I sought help at my nearest Ford dealership and after they inspected the car they determined that there was a problem with the steering assist and possibly the rack and pinion. We then discovered that the very same parts were recalled in 2011 for the same make and model car. I was never notified of any recalls and I asked why I was never contacted. The Ford dealership did not know why. According to them the vehicles that were recalled were vehicles that were made at the same facility as mine. …

I became the owner of a 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid in 2016. At first there was no issues. Roughly a couple of months later, there was a power steering issue- so the car was driven to Ford with great difficulty where they reset the sensor or something and the power steering was working again. Now a couple of years later, the problem occurred again. The power steering chime came on, the car read "service advancetrac" in yellow and "power steering assist fault" in read, accompanied by the wheel stiffening. I pulled over turned the car off and back on, and the problem went away. It occurred several more times and turning the car off and back on remedied the problem. It would only occur every couple of months, but more recently it started happening every couple of weeks and now- the last ten days it has happened every time I drive. …

Aug 2, my husband & I were approaching a 4-way light near our neighborhood. We were slowing down to turn right at the intersection. As we began the turn, the tires locked & our car slide left across lanes that resulted in a crash. Both airbags deployed. I was thrown into the windshield, despite my seat-belt, busting it. Then, my airbag deployed. It was like my husband had no control of the vehicle. Both airbags deployed. Tires were still locked when tow-truck arrived. Other car involved did not have this issue. We do not have a hybrid, but wonder if the steering recall that started with 2012 MKZ hybrids & others could involve additional models like ours (recall 15V340000). What we experienced was not normal.

On spetember 5, 2014, I was traveling in missouri. The car didn't seem to handle as it should. I had a stop sign, and it seemed to be okay then. I decided to slow down in case there was an issue. The first curve I came to, the car would not turn right, and went down a steep embankment. According to the police report, I was never able to steer it right towards the road again. My left knee was injured. Also, the car needed a new PCM. ...updated 01/29/15

I was on a city street making a left turn when I was hit by a barreling car after he hit me once then he backed up and hit me again to push me out of the way he took off then my car accelerated going up curbs the steering an brakes did not work it took two of us to avoid a brick wall after pulling the emergency brake twice it finally stopped with a bang

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 per hour and ran into my garage damaging the right front of my car. Local dealer without seeing the car said cost would be around $1800 to fix steering and stabilitrak. This was a 2012 Lincoln MKZ hybrid.

Tl* 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 message displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer felix sabates Lincoln (7601 south blvd, charlotte, nc 28273, [phone]) where it was diagnosed with needing the rack and pinon to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Steering complaints in other MKZ years