2008 Lincoln Mkz reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2008 Lincoln Mkz — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 328
- 22 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- AIR BAGS
- 164 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 4
- see below
- Reported harm
- 20 reported crashes · 7 injuries
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#1,617
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Lincoln median
+148
median 180 across 71 Lincoln records
Vs 2006-2010
+56
median 272 complaints in 785 records
Top component share
50%
Air Bags: 164 complaints
What owners report fails — 2008 Lincoln Mkz
- AIR BAGS 164
- SERVICE BRAKES 52
- WHEELS 30
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 22
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6
4 recalls on record for the 2008 Lincoln Mkz
- NHTSA 19V904000 · 2021 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACT If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the r
- NHTSA 21V158000 · 2021 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MO An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious i
- NHTSA 16V384000 · 2018 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- NHTSA 17V024000 · 2018 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2008 Lincoln Mkz
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2008 Lincoln Mkz units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Lincoln Mkz reliable?
NHTSA has 328 consumer complaints on record for the 2008 Lincoln Mkz and 4 recalls. The most-reported problem area is air bags (164 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2008 Lincoln Mkz units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lincoln Mkz?
Owners most often report problems with: air bags (164), service brakes (52), wheels (30), service brakes, hydraulic (22). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2008 Lincoln Mkz?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.