Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 259 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Lincoln MKZ, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 165 | 64% |
| Service brakes | 16 | 6% |
| Wheels | 13 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 9 | 3% |
| Air bags | 5 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 2% |
| Seats | 3 | 1% |
| Power train | 3 | 1% |
| Structure | 2 | 1% |
| Tires | 2 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Internal Water pump Failed causing immediate shutdown of vehicle. This water pump is internal to the engine and requires half of the engine be taken apart to be replaced. This affect all 3.5 and 3.7 Ford engines through
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Under the following recall [XXX] Recall was performed in 2022 by Ford of Upland by replacing only the brake fluid. The problem resurfaced just as described in the recall a while back. I contacted Ford on 5/21 they cont
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Varsity Ford Lincoln is refusing to fix open recalls. My vehicle has been sitting with them for 90 days. Lincoln is refusing to help. Now the dealership in a letter is stating they are not going to fix the open recall
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Car is inoperable due to the brake issue and airbag issue. Lincoln refuses to assist with getting it towed or working with the dealership. They will say that they do these things or are trying to help but they do not. Th
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2007 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was pulling to one side. There was an abnormal winding noise detected. The window failed to go up when the button
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
Brakes have failed. Cannot even get to dealership because of this for the repair. Also, airbag light is still on and no repair listed for recall issue.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2007 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that after having the rotors replaced, while driving approximately 30 MPH and attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboa
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2007 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle pulled to the left. There was a significant stopping distance delay. The brake
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2007 Lincoln MKZ. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the pass
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
Risk: If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the HCU will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve con
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 Marian
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Interim
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 register
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Ford mai
| Reliability raw | 58 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 67 | good |
| Maintenance | 61 | average |
| Depreciation | 74 | good |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 259 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 165 of them (64%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 58/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 67/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2007 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 62/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.