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2012 Lincoln Mkz

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Lincoln Mkz do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 109.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

74 reports with mileage · 72 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports2 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

146 reports
54,000 miles · Jan 1, 2021
StructureUnknown Or Other

THE DRIVER DOOR POPS OPEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I BOUGHT IT 3 YEARS AGO IN MAY. BUT APPARENTLY IT ISN'T A RECALL. I'M ACTUALLY SCARED TO DRIVE IT THE CAR HAD 54,000 MILES AND 59,000 5 THOUSAND MILES IN THREE YEARS. CAN MAX SAID IT WOULD BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE THEY LIED. THIS IS A PROBLEM AND…

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THE DRIVER DOOR POPS OPEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I BOUGHT IT 3 YEARS AGO IN MAY. BUT APPARENTLY IT ISN'T A RECALL. I'M ACTUALLY SCARED TO DRIVE IT THE CAR HAD 54,000 MILES AND 59,000 5 THOUSAND MILES IN THREE YEARS. CAN MAX SAID IT WOULD BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE THEY LIED. THIS IS A PROBLEM AND I'VE TALKED TO OTHER MKZ OWNERS WHO SAY THEY FIXED THE CAR AND PAID FOR IT.

NHTSA ODI #11385975

84,000 miles · Nov 23, 2020
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000. *BF THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL 14M03.

NHTSA ODI #11375996

84,000 miles · Oct 22, 2020
Unknown Or Other

AC ON RIGHT SIDE STOPPED WORKING, RIGHT DOOR STOP LOCKING AND LATER THE LEFT DOOR STOPPED LOCKING.

NHTSA ODI #11365746

110,980 miles · Oct 7, 2020
Service Brakes

WHILE DRIVING, ALARMS DINGED AND LIGHTS POPPED UP IN MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WERE: BRAKE SYSTEM & PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM (OR BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING?), CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, ABS, ADVANCETRAC, ADVANCETRAC OFF, THROTTLE CONTROL/POWERTRAIN, CHECK ENGINE, AND PRESS RESET TO TURN OFF REAR PARKING ASSIST. PRESSING…

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WHILE DRIVING, ALARMS DINGED AND LIGHTS POPPED UP IN MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WERE: BRAKE SYSTEM & PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM (OR BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING?), CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, ABS, ADVANCETRAC, ADVANCETRAC OFF, THROTTLE CONTROL/POWERTRAIN, CHECK ENGINE, AND PRESS RESET TO TURN OFF REAR PARKING ASSIST. PRESSING MY BRAKES REVEALED THAT THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE NOT ALL BARK AND NO BITE; THERE WAS IN FACT SOMETHING GOING ON. THE PEDAL WAS SOFT, TOO EASY TO DEPRESS AT FIRST. THEN IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND INEFFECTIVE. NOT STOPPING AT ALL UNTIL ALL THE WAY DOWN. THIS PREVIOUSLY HAPPENED ON 9/6/2020, BUT RESOLVED AFTER 2 DAYS. THIS CURRENT INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 10/2/2020 AND REMAINS ACTIVE 5 DAYS LATER. THE SERVICE STATION FOUND NO CAUSE PREVIOUSLY. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER LEAVING MY HOME. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20MPH ON A RAINY DAY. THE ALARMS SOUNDED AND LIGHTS CAME ON, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE FOR A STOP SIGN IS WHEN I DISCOVERED THE BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE SECOND INCIDENT THAT IS CONTINUING BEGAN A BIT DIFFERENTLY. THE LIGHTS POPPED UP AND ALARM SOUNDED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A SUNNY, DRY DAY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND POWERTRAIN LIGHT BOTH CAME ON ABOUT 2 DAYS LATER. THEY CAME ON WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11363305

113,449 miles · Aug 6, 2020
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE SERVICE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SCHUMACHER LINCOLN OF DELRAY (2102 S FEDERAL HWY, DELRAY BEACH, FL 33483 561-454-1800) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE SERVICE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SCHUMACHER LINCOLN OF DELRAY (2102 S FEDERAL HWY, DELRAY BEACH, FL 33483 561-454-1800) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,449.

NHTSA ODI #11343736

80,000 miles · Jul 13, 2020
Latches/locks/linkages

DOOR LATCH, DRIVER SIDE, RECALL STARTS WITH THE MKZ 2014 AND UP. I HAVE A 2012 MKZ THAT NEEDS THE RECALL. PLEASE LOWER THE YEAR TO INCLUDE THE 2012 AS THE SYMPTOMS AND PROBLEMS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME. MY VEHICLE WILL BE RECEIVING THE AIRBAG RECALL ON FRIDAY. I ASK THAT YOU APPROVE THE LATCH RECALL AS WELL. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11339043

79,814 miles · Jul 6, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringCrash

THE ELECTRONIC STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. I WAS TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR AND RAN INTO MY GARAGE DAMAGING THE RIGHT FRONT OF MY CAR. LOCAL DEALER WITHOUT SEEING THE CAR SAID COST WOULD BE AROUND $1800 TO FIX STEERING AND STABILITRAK. THIS WAS A 2012 LINC…

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THE ELECTRONIC STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. I WAS TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR AND RAN INTO MY GARAGE DAMAGING THE RIGHT FRONT OF MY CAR. LOCAL DEALER WITHOUT SEEING THE CAR SAID COST WOULD BE AROUND $1800 TO FIX STEERING AND STABILITRAK. THIS WAS A 2012 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID.

NHTSA ODI #11337748

33,000 miles · May 18, 2020
Service Brakes

THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR TRACTION CONTROL MALFUNCTION, ABS MALFUNCTION AND BRAKE MALFUNCTION SIMULTANEOUSLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, ALONG WITH WARNING CHIMES, AND THE BRAKES STOPPED FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WITH BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION (PEDAL WAS SOFT, FAR TOO EASY TO DEPRESS, BUT INEFFECTIVE). CAR WAS …

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THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR TRACTION CONTROL MALFUNCTION, ABS MALFUNCTION AND BRAKE MALFUNCTION SIMULTANEOUSLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, ALONG WITH WARNING CHIMES, AND THE BRAKES STOPPED FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WITH BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION (PEDAL WAS SOFT, FAR TOO EASY TO DEPRESS, BUT INEFFECTIVE). CAR WAS STEERED INTO A RESIDENTIAL LAWN AND EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE APPLIED TO AVOID A COLLISION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325071

133,950 miles · May 14, 2020
Steering

I TURNED ON MY CAR AND RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM IN THE INFORMATION PANEL STATING, " POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". ITS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL. I DRIVE EASY ON MY CAR AND THE ROADS ARE SMOOTH IN MY COMMUTES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324583

65 miles · Apr 5, 2020
Engine

WHILE DRIVING YELLOW WRENCH SHOWS UP AND SAYS STOP SAFELY. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER. THEY CHARGED ME 180USD TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I PAID 180USD AND AFTER 6 HOURS THEY CONTACTED AND ASKED FOR 300USD EXTRA TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY COULDNOT EVEN FIND THE PROBLEM. I SEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON CARCOMLAINTS.COM. ALMOST EVERYBOD…

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WHILE DRIVING YELLOW WRENCH SHOWS UP AND SAYS STOP SAFELY. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER. THEY CHARGED ME 180USD TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I PAID 180USD AND AFTER 6 HOURS THEY CONTACTED AND ASKED FOR 300USD EXTRA TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY COULDNOT EVEN FIND THE PROBLEM. I SEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON CARCOMLAINTS.COM. ALMOST EVERYBODY EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS VERY VERY DANGEROUS. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY SPEED SUDDENLY DROPS FROM 65 TO 25 IN SECONDS. THIS IS NOT A GOOD WARNING TO PULL OVER. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #11320231

Official recalls

5

21V158000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Mar 10, 2021

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 high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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 passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.

19V001000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 7, 2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.

18V775000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Nov 1, 2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ vehicles that previously received a replacement passenger air bag under recall 16V-384, 17V-024 or 18V-046. In the event of a crash requiring deployment of the passenger air bag, the bracket that secures the air bag inflator to the module housing may deform, allowing the gas that inflates the air bag to leak out.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the air bag does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S34.

17V024000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 10, 2017

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 Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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 letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

15V340000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Jun 2, 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

PE14030 · Electric Power Steering Failure

Opened Oct 2, 2014 · Closed Sep 10, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate complaints of the loss of power steering while driving. The subject vehicles are equipped with a rack mounted Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) unit.Some of the complaints alleged that the steering assist failed and resulted in increased steering efforts that contributed to a loss of control and in some cases a crash.The EPAS system was manufactured by TRW Automotive for Ford and was designated as Generation I.These units were first produced and put into vehicle production in July 2008 beginning with the model year (MY) 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan.The system is comprised of a mechanical steering rack-and-pinion gear with torque sensor, electric assist motor, motor position sensor and a power steering control module (PSCM). The PSCM is self-monitoring and designed to detect faults within the system and can store diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) if a problem is detected.There are 29 potential DTCs the system can detect.Many of these allow the system to go into reduced-assist steering mode by using the default vehicle speed signal should the live speed signal be lost, if voltage to EPAS system falls below 10.7 or goes above 17 volts, the temperature at the PSCM goes above 105C (221F), or if high friction is detected.Some DTCs will cause the system to go into manual steering mode (no assist). On July 1, 2015, Ford filed a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a safety related defect in TRW GEN I EPAS systems installed in some of the subject vehicles (NHTSA Recall 15V-340, Ford No. 15S18).The DIR indicated that intermittent electrical connections caused by quality issues associated with conformal coat contamination and ribbon cable pin misalignment within the steering gear motor may lead to a loss of the motor position sensor signal, resulting in a sudden loss of power assist while driving.The recall covers approximately 393,623 vehicles built from September 2010 through February 2012:2011-12 Fusion built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; 2011-12 Lincoln MKZ built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; 2011 Milan built SEP 2010 - DEC 2010; 2011-13 Taurus built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; 2011-13 Flex with 3.5L GTDI engine built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; and 2011-13 MKS, MKT with 3.5L GTDI engine built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012.The repair consists of updating the PSCM software to prevent a loss of steering assist while driving. The revised software will provide audible and visual warnings to the driver. If one or more of the following DTCs are stored, C1B00-62, C200B-2F, C200B-61, C200B-62, C200C-2F, C200D-49, U0300-00, U2011-49, U2011-61, U3000-46, U3000-49, U3000-61, U3000-72, U3000-96, P07AE-09, the dealer will replace the EPAS system at no charge to the owner.ODI's analysis of failure data for this PE identified a total of 2,584 complaints to ODI and Ford and 9,967 Ford warranty claims related to the alleged defect.The recalled vehicles account for 1,634 of the complaints and 7,311 of the warranty claims.ODI's analysis identified 40 complaints alleging crashes that may be related to loss of steering assist while driving, 20 of which involved vehicles included in Ford's recall.The information available for the alleged crashes were not sufficient to assess specific causes of the incidents or to verify EPAS malfunctions in each case.Most of the crashes were low-speed impacts with curbs or roadside objects resulting in wheel or minor body damage.None of the injury claims indicated medical attention was required.In addition, statistical modeling of the failure data by NHTSA's National Center for Statistics and Analysis projected 10-year failur