Lincoln MKZ Generation 1 (2007–2012)

Lincoln MKZ Generation 1 (2007–2012) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Lincoln MKZ — body generations

Generation Produced Facelift
Generation 1 2007–2012 —
Generation 2 2013–2016 —
Generation 3 2017–2020 —

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Engines used in the MKZ

Engine families this model shipped with, by NHTSA VIN build data — each links to every model that shares it.

Engine Years in this model Also used in VIN builds ⓘ
Lincoln 3.5L 6-cylinder 2007–2012 6 models 20

Lincoln MKZ fuel economy: every year & engine (EPA) →

Used Lincoln MKZ prices by year →

About this generation

The Lincoln MKZ is a mid-size, four-door, five-passenger, front- or all-wheel drive luxury sedan manufactured by Ford and marketed by its Lincoln brand across two generations in North America and China (2015-2020). Co-developed with the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, the MKZ was available with either gasoline or gasoline-electric hybrid powertrains.

What changed in the facelift

Lincoln presented the 2010 MKZ at the 2008 Los Angeles International Auto Show, with either a gasoline or hybrid powertrain — styled under Chief Designer Derryl Behmer and Design Director Peter Horbury — and released in the spring of 2009. In addition to substantial underbody work, exterior changes included a more pronounced "split wing" (aka Bow Wave) grille, larger LED taillights, revised trunk lid, and standard restyled 17-inch wheels.

Interior revisions included a new instrument cluster, center stack, door trim, as well as updated colors, materials and finishes — including genuine wood accents in ash or swirled walnut, as well as standard Bridge of Weir leather. Other features new for 2010 included a reverse camera system, rain-sensing windshield wipers, cabin air filter, adaptive HID headlights, capless fuel filler marketed as Easy Fuel, new center stack with high-mounted GPS system, and a radar-controlled blind spot monitor (marketed as BLIS) that incorporates a system to alert users to traffic approaching laterally on backing out of a parking spot (marketed as Cross Traffic Alert).

Mechanically, the MKZ featured suspension revised to improve ride quality and handling and a new 'SelectShift' six-speed automatic transmission. The output of the 3.5L V6 remained the same, and changes to the six-speed automatic reduced shift times and improved acceleration. Beginning with model year 2010, the MKZ (along with badge-engineered variants, the Ford Fusion and the Mercury Milan — and their hybrid variants) used an acoustic glass for the front windscreen and backlight.

Marketed as Carlite SoundScreen, the glass used a sheet of acoustic polyvinyl butyral (PVB) between two layers of glass to reduce noise levels by as much as 6 dB at certain frequencies and 2 to 3 dB overall, enabling more intelligible in-car conversation. The acoustic layer could save up to seven pounds per vehicle, and helped cut vibration noise from the vehicle's engine compartment. For the MKZ, new acoustic improvements included thicker acoustic window glass, enhanced door/body seals, absorption padding in the fenders and pillars, constrained-layer damping on the entire floor, acoustic headliner, thicker rear backlight and a retuned air induction system.

Lincoln marketed the acoustic package as its Quietcraft interior. Lincoln continued to offer a DVD-based satellite navigation head unit updated to accept voice commands, along with Sirius satellite radio, and Sirius Travel Link. For MY2011, an expanded the THX/navigation specification included HD Radio with simulcasts as well as DTS Neural Surround, adding multi-channel Surround sound to digital music (e.g., from HD Radio, CDs, mobile phones or the built-in USB drive).

Beginning with model year 2010, the MKZ offered a sport package with 18-inch ten spoke wheels, revised suspension settings, Bridge of Weir leather seating surfaces in dark charcoal or steel grey with Cashmere-colored tuxedo seam and piping, interior aluminum trim in place of the standard wood trim, bespoke floor mats with MKZ badge, grille with black bars, darkened headlamps and body-color door handle. Also optional, a package, marketed as the Executive Package provided dark charcoal Bridge of Weir leather with suede inserts and a dark seam, or cashmere-colored leather with leather seat inserts and dark seam; front and rear premium floor mats with Lincoln logo and suede edging, genuine walnut swirl wood accents on the instrument panel and center console; unique door-trim inserts with accent stitching and bespoke front center console armrest insert.

Also for MY 2011, Lincoln offered an interior aluminum trim package, substituting aluminum trim on the instrument panel and front and rear doors (in lieu of genuine wood) and a fully leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Source: Wikipedia — Lincoln MKZ, CC BY-SA.

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Year Recalls Complaints Most reported
2007 5 259 Air Bags, Service Brakes, Wheels
2008 5 281 Air Bags, Service Brakes, Wheels
2009 7 114 Air Bags, Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2010 9 169 Air Bags, Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2011 7 367 Air Bags, Steering, Service Brakes
2012 6 350 Air Bags, Steering, Unknown Or Other

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

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