Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 0 | −20% | 3 | — | Few |
| 2011 | 1 | 1.5× | 3 | Airbag | Few |
| 2010 | 0 | −20% | 4 | — | Few |
| 2009 | 0 | −20% | 4 | — | Few |
| 2008 | 7 | 1.5× | 4 | Airbag | Few |
| 2007 | 3 | −20% | 4 | Airbag | Few |
| 2006 | 229 | 26.5× | 4 | Airbag | Avoid |
* Complaints compared with the median Zephyr year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Lincoln Zephyr problems
Latest Lincoln Zephyr recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California,…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Lincoln Zephyr should you avoid?
2006 — this year has the most complaints relative to other Zephyr years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 2006.
What is the best year for the Lincoln Zephyr?
2007 has the fewest complaints compared with other Zephyr years at the same age, followed by 2009 and 2010. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Lincoln Zephyr problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (153), wheels & tires (29) and body & structure (13). Airbag complaints peak in the 2006 model year.
How many recalls has the Lincoln Zephyr had?
5 recalls across 2006–2012. The model year with the most is 2006. See all Lincoln Zephyr recalls by year.
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.