2008 Lincoln MKZ Lincoln MKZ 2008

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2008 Lincoln MKZ repairs by problem area

Engine (15%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (11%)

Brakes and Traction Control (9%)

Suspension and Steering (17%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (31%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (7%)

Other (9%)

Chart based on 87 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2008 Lincoln MKZ.

2008 Lincoln MKZ repair cost distribution

$2500+ (1%)

$1000 - $2499 (7%)

$500 - $999 (15%)

$100 - $499 (32%)

< $100 (45%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 75 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2008 Lincoln MKZ 4dr Sedan

263-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD

Lincoln MKZ in Nevada, United States
Jun 2013 - May 2017
Sep 2013

68000 mi

US $2300
Compressor failing causing care to moo like a cow on acceleration. Took idiot dealer 4 days to figure it out and they wanted to charge $2300. Car still moos. 
Dec 2013

72000 mi
Car would not start on Xmas day. Battery that was less than 18 months old had crack next to negative terminal. Covered under warranty. 
May 2015

80000 mi

US $2700
Complete AC system replacement Replacement of radiator. According to the mechanic it was in such bad shape that there were dragonflies nesting in it. 
Jul 2016

88200 mi

US $55
Battery failed after 14 months 
Lincoln MKZ in Missouri, United States
Aug 2012 - May 2016
Dec 2013

40000 mi

US $800
mushy pedal. flushing cycling the HCU valves didn't fix. nor replacing a caliper. Dealer worked with Lincoln engineers and finally determined the HCU was bad. Replaced and fixed. Lincoln and dealer furnished great customer goodwill on cost 
Lincoln MKZ in New Mexico, United States
Dec 2012 - Oct 2013
Jun 2013

58000 mi

US $80
Drivers interior door handle 
Lincoln MKZ in California, United States
Sep 2012 - Feb 2014
Feb 2014

68000 mi
Heated driver seat stopped working. 
Lincoln MKZ in Ohio, United States
Aug 2012 - Apr 2013
Sep 2012

97000 mi

US $2000
alternator died on my way to get it fixed causing belt to break which led to belt breaking cv boot also belt tension pulley seized up 
Apr 2013

106000 mi

US $500
Oil leaks Ignition coils/ ecm 
Lincoln MKZ in Ontario, Canada
Jan 2013 - Jan 2017
Nov 2013

141920 mi
Drivers side heated seat has stopped working. Lights on dash light up and then go out after very short period. Passenger side is ok. 
Dec 2013

145700 mi
LF wheel bearing replaced. 
Jan 2014

148180 mi

C $100
Front Headlight assembly started leaking water into the sealed unit causing light bulbs to freeze and break. Unit is now cloudy inside due to condensation. 
Jun 2014

155000 mi

C $1000
Brake service pads, rotors, and all 4 calipers. Rear calipers were sticking. Front calipers had worn slider pin holes and were sloppy. 
Jan 2015

150800 mi

C $300
Grinding noise, wheel bearing suspected and confirmed 
Jun 2015

186000 mi

C $750
Rear wheel bearings finally needing replacing at 288000 and front right needed to be replaced again. Replaced 2 years and 60000 km ago 
Mar 2016

198400 mi

C $140
the turn signal lights kept having errors. they replaced the socket pigtails with new ones 
Lincoln MKZ in Michigan, United States
Nov 2013 - Mar 2016
Apr 2014

96000 mi

US $500
Heated seats not working 
Oct 2015

126000 mi

US $450
drivers side Door handle not working 
Dec 2015

129000 mi

US $250
Switch on the brake pedal would not allow driver to move shifter for transmission out of park selection 
Lincoln MKZ in Missouri, United States
Mar 2016 - Dec 2016
Apr 2016

149000 mi

US $550
Ball joint causing suspension noise. Replaced both upper and lower control arms on passenger side. 
Lincoln MKZ in Michigan, United States
Dec 2015 - Nov 2018
Sep 2016

104000 mi

US $489
Front struts. Front upper control arms. 
Sep 2017

117138 mi

US $340
Stuck lifter making tapping noise. Treated with Sea Foam in the oil. Replaced both front lower front control arms and rear driver's strut 
Jun 2018

125104 mi

US $589
Repaired fluid leak. Cleaned leak. Recharged a/c system 
Sep 2018

130353 mi

US $601
Replaced front upper control arms and alignment 
Lincoln MKZ in Washington, United States
Feb 2014 - Jun 2022
Sep 2015

56000 mi

US $100
Compass quit working with annoying "compass error" message on the dash display. Replaced rear view mirror (that's where the compass sensor is) with a unit purchased from eBay - all is well now. 
Lincoln MKZ in Alabama, United States
Dec 2013 - Mar 2015
May 2014

76000 mi

US $721
Rear brake calipers locked on rotors 
Lincoln MKZ in California, United States
Jul 2011 - Apr 2013
Sep 2011

44000 mi
CD player failing to eject CD. After numerous attempst, I was finally able to eject all but one of my CD's - the last of which "disappered" within the unit. Dealership concurred there was an issue with the unit, and replaced with new 
Lincoln MKZ in Georgia, United States
Oct 2011 - Nov 2011
Nov 2011

27000 mi
Ford technicians found a loose wire on the back of the navigation/audio module causing all sound in the car to go out intermittently. 
Lincoln MKZ in Florida, United States
Jul 2010 - Oct 2015
Dec 2010

23000 mi
A/C vent vane motor failed - caused cold air to enter passenger side when set on heat. 
May 2011

29000 mi
Transmission valve body failed resulting in hard shifting but still drivable. Valve body was replaced 
Jul 2011

30000 mi
Faulty dual temperature control again, sometimes blows heat even with temp at 60. Observed it in shop, but then worked fine rest of time in shop, so not fixed. 
Lincoln MKZ in California, United States
Aug 2008 - Dec 2012
Apr 2011

32000 mi

US $149
Trunk Lift Support, AKA, Trunk Struts failed. 
Lincoln MKZ in Florida, United States
Apr 2009 - Sep 2013
Dec 2010

30000 mi
Rear speaker rattled. Dealer replaced, fixed problem. 
Lincoln MKZ in South Carolina, United States
Aug 2010 - May 2015
Sep 2010

14000 mi
Check engine code showed problem with engine performance module. Computer was rebooted and light went out. Fifty miles later light came on again with same code P0607 and other codes dealing with cam position sensor. In garage again. 
Oct 2010

14700 mi
They replaced the on-board computer at a warranty cost of over $700 and the problem was fixed. In addition, they gave me a Lincoln loaner while they diagnosed and replaced the computer. 
Feb 2015

42000 mi
Had to replace abs module and pump 
Apr 2015

42000 mi

US $90
Third battery for this car. 
Lincoln MKZ in California, United States
May 2008 - Jul 2011
Jun 2008

300 mi
Vehicle would not start. vehicle refusedto start. Dealer could not replicate. Found wire harness connector wasn't fully connected. At high temperature it would expand and disconnect, cool down and reconnect. Dealer "snapped" the connector home. No problem since. Total days in shop (six). Auto in three times for failure to start. Temperatures have been over 100 degrees,if that is a cause for the "crash." Trip to dealer shows no code. Also cycled thru check brakes in the information display, while the idiot lights blinked randomly. 

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2008 Lincoln MKZ 4dr Sedan

263-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic AWD

Lincoln MKZ in Illinois, United States
Feb 2011 - Oct 2017
Sep 2011

37707 mi

US $100
Replaced A-C compressor. 
Mar 2012

41193 mi

US $100
Replaced latch assembly. 
Jun 2012

42379 mi

US $100
Replace 3 O-rings EVAC and recharge. Note,my receipts for all warranty work do not list the total cost. I must pay the deductable of $100. This applies to all my responses. 
Apr 2013

46520 mi

US $100
Rear drive shaft assembly replaced. 
Mar 2014

51783 mi

US $100
Replaced both RF lower control arms 
Sep 2014

54818 mi

US $100
Replace oil pan gasket. 
Lincoln MKZ in Illinois, United States
Aug 2009 - Jan 2011
Aug 2009

26000 mi
Replaced LF HID headlight 
Lincoln MKZ in Ontario, Canada
Apr 2014 - Sep 2015
Dec 2014

115940 mi

C $150
Replaced stabilizer links on both sides. 
Lincoln MKZ in Washington, United States
Mar 2008 - Jun 2011
Apr 2011

47000 mi
Chrome wheels deteriorated and began to slowly leak air. 
Lincoln MKZ in Ontario, Canada
Jan 2009 - Jan 2013
Feb 2009

13640 mi
Buzz sound from under car, noticeable at low speed, rear driveshaft for AWD replaced. Plastic trim on windshield (on the drivers side)came loose during 1st carwash. Dealer reglued it down to the glass. 
May 2009

15500 mi
6 CD changer would not eject a CD. Had a regular music CD in all six slots. 
Jun 2009

16740 mi
Dealer replaced CD changer in early June (took 2 weeks to arrive) - won't /can't give me my CDs. Sent defective unit off to special CD shop-in-the sky to do so. CDs are removed & send back to the dealer. I finally got my CDs back 3+ weeks after that. 
Aug 2010

25500 mi
cracked bezel covering on front passenger seat 
Lincoln MKZ in Colorado, United States
Jul 2009 - Sep 2020
Feb 2010

29000 mi
replaced rear axle shaft assembly 
Dec 2013

71000 mi
replaced lower control arm/ball joint 
May 2015

84000 mi

US $533
replaced front right control arm-ball joint assembly 
Mar 2016

93000 mi

US $1500
replaced Power Transfer Unit (transfer case) 
Jul 2017

105514 mi

US $800
replace both front struts 
Mar 2018

113000 mi

US $400
Replaced front left CV Axle 
Sep 2018

117000 mi

US $550
replaced left front wheel bearing hub assembly 
Lincoln MKZ in Manitoba, Canada
Jul 2008 - Jul 2010
Nov 2008

6820 mi
Valance around headlight switch came loose when you pulled on for fog lights. 
Jun 2009

13020 mi
Whine developed over last few months. Dealer initially uspected axle bearing. Replaced and found not to be cause. Dealer then found TSB and replaced centre axle (AWD) and this cured it. 
Oct 2009

16120 mi
Blew transmission. Dealer advised it was first one in Canada. Took 1 week to diagnose - Ford authorized R&R of complete transmission. 2 weeks to ship transmission (nearest one in Memphis) and a few days to R&R. Lincoln warranty covered rental car. 
Lincoln MKZ in Texas, United States
Jan 2018 - Apr 2018
Mar 2018

99000 mi
Car pulled to the right. 
Lincoln MKZ in New Jersey, United States
Apr 2011 - Jun 2019
May 2011

28000 mi
When turned on AC. Could hear a grinding noise. The compressor had failed. Dealer installed new compressor and tested. AC works great now. 
Jul 2011

29800 mi
The four rims were replaced because of pitting. Also, the Drivers Side window was replaced because of scratches coming from the weatherseal. The dealer sent pictures of the rims and glass to Ford. Ford approved replacement under warranty. 
Nov 2015

95000 mi

US $1176
Had intermittent shuddering and sounds as if I had a flat tire. It usually happened when in stop and go traffic at 20MPH. These sounds would go away. The Ford Dealer was a joke and a waste of time. Fixed by local shop. Drivetrain replaced. 
Apr 2016

100300 mi

US $250
The car seemed sluggish on accelerating and gas mileage was decreasing. Diagnosis was the spark plugs were very worn. They were replaced 
Sep 2016

106000 mi

US $50
The trunk lift supports failed causing the trunk lid to close hard. IT would not stay open on its own. Local repair shop repaired using Ford parts. 
Dec 2016

112000 mi
Exhaust sounds loud when engine is cold. Had the engine and transmission checked and nothing could be found causing the issue. The mechanic feels the inner pipe may have come loose or deteriorated. Will need to replace system. 
Feb 2017

114000 mi

US $217
When pulling on the front driver side interior door handle, I heard a clunking sound and the door would not open. Drove to my local mechanic. The door handle mechanism broke and needed to be replaced. These parts are plastic and broke. 
Apr 2017

116000 mi

US $475
Car took longer to stop. Could push brake pedal further to floor. Mechanic found rear brake pads completely gone and were cutting into the rotors. Never heard any grinding or sounds when braking. Mechanic replaced brake pads, rotors, and brake brake fluid. Also oil change and wiper blades replaced. 
Jun 2017

119000 mi

US $270
Heard scraping sounds coming from brand new brakes. It was found that the rear passenger side brake caliper locked in closed position.the caliper and rotor needed to be replaced. 
Lincoln MKZ in Manitoba, Canada
Mar 2011 - Jun 2013
Apr 2011

21080 mi
Low growling sound, apparently was a bearing in the driveshaft, replaced under warranty. 
Mar 2012

23560 mi
Heated Driver's seat stop working, replaced under extended warranty 
Lincoln MKZ in Michigan, United States
Jul 2009 - Jul 2010
Nov 2009

12000 mi
Vehicle wouldn't start. Car did not have to be towed, but a tow truck did have to jump start the vehicle. The jump start was enough to get me to the dealership. At that point, the computer had to be reprogrammed / reset. 
Dec 2009

12000 mi

US $10
Tire pressure problem. Tire pressure was low. Pressure sensor was damaged. 
Jul 2010

13000 mi
Check engine light 
Lincoln MKZ in Ontario, Canada
Jun 2011 - Dec 2011
Nov 2011

70760 mi

C $120
Replace dead battery. 

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2008 Lincoln MKZ 4-door

6-cylinder automatic 2WD

Lincoln MKZ in Kentucky, United States
May 2012 - Jun 2012
May 2012

102000 mi

US $403
Had a sudden problem with excessive brake pedal travel and poor braking. Master cylinder was replaced, but problem was not fixed. Have seen posts on other forum describing this problem and inability of dealers to fix 

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2008 Lincoln MKZ Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2008 Lincoln MKZ problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.