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 2006 Lincoln Zephyr owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Driving at approx 30mph my tire blew out after just replacing all 4 tires 3K miles before. Took the tire back to the merchant and they replaced it because I had a hazard protection plan with tires. Replaced all 4 tires in sept of 2014 due to normal wear and I have had to replace 3 tires due to tire coming off of the rim while driving and losing air pressure, slow leak that resulted in flat and a blowout while driving at 40mph and landed me into a ditch. The tire merchant informed me that the wheels are defective due to the chrome on rim peeling and damaging tire as well as preventing a seal between tire and rim to keep tire inflated. Replacing the wheels with manufacturer wheels will result in same problem being that it is a defect in the product. I feel Ford needs to take responsibility for this defect and reimburse customers for new wheels.
The 2006 Lincoln Zephyr was traveling at a speed of 40 and the rear passenger tire suddenly blew up. The mechanic inspected the cause and concluded that the original aluminum Lincoln-factory wheel was defective. The mechanic also inspected the other three wheels and the same problem is continuing to occur with all the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr wheels. The manufacturing defect was described by the mechanic as follows: the chrome is peeling off the wheel, which prevents a good seal between the wheel and the tire, resulting in the loss of air pressure. The sudden loss of air pressure May cause serious injury or death.
The plating on all four of my wheels are peeling making the tires not seal properly causing air to leak from the tires. I have had four blowouts and several flat tires. I have to air up the tires every 2 or 3 days. I have taken them to several places to get them fixed and was told that they can not do anything about them other than try and put a sealant on the tire to keep it from happening. This has not fixed the problem and I still have to continue to air the tire every couple of days.
Was traveling southbound on I-39 when tire blew out. Have had to replace tires several times and told by dealership and 2 auto service centers that the rims are so corroded they do not hold air properly and need to be replaced. All wheels have chrome flaking off. Car currently has less than 75K miles. In the 2.5 years I have owned it, probably have had to have the tires repaired/replaced 10-15 times.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle pulled to the left. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road, where the contact noticed an abnormal noise emitting from the rim as if air were linking from the tire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr. Upon inspecting the wheels of the vehicle, the contact noticed that the aluminum coating on the wheels started to peel off. As a result of the aluminum peeling off of the wheels, the tires would not hold adequate air pressure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.
The wheels on my car are corroded and as a result the tires will not hold air pressure I have had two sets of tires with the same problem car has 85000 miles tires were repaired but problem remained the metal shows flaking car has never been hit and shows no other signs of a problem tires lose 20 pounds of air pressure every three days.
Tires lose air all the time. I even bought brand new tires and it still happens. Current mechanic advise its the wheels. They are original to the car and I am being told its due to the wheels. Now I am spending money to "clean" them. Not sure if it will help but this seems to be a wide spread problem.
Wheels need replacing, will not hold an air seal thought it was a tire defect ,not so ,I bought a 2 hp. Air compressor to weep tires inflated. Mechanic said new rims are need before new tires,are linclon rims been upgraded//need to replace!!!
I have had my 2006 Lincoln Zephyr for 1 1/2 years. I noticed within almost a month that my front driver tire was having a slow leak. Shortly after all my tires were slowly leaking and I would fill the tires to 33psi's as recommended, but by two days the psi's would be down to 8psi. My first incident that occurred was driving on the interstate and my back passenger tire blew out. I have bought all new tires and within almost 3 months the slow leak occurred again in all the tires. I have had my tires resealed numerous times ( the reseal holds for almost 3 months) and the leak is coming from the back of the rim where the rim and tire meets. I have been told by mechanics that the leaks are damaging the walls of my tire and the mechanic has put new valves on and the tires still leaks. …
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Zephyr years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, 13% of the model year's 229 complaints. The component named most often is rim (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Lincoln Zephyr wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, 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 2006 Lincoln Zephyr wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to wheels & tires 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.