I have a Lincoln MKZ Hybrid 2012 with 88k miles on it. While I was slowing to a stop as I approached a stoplight at a busy intersection, the 'Check Brake' warning on the dashboard lit up without warning and no prior issues, and my ability to brake became near impossible as the pedal softened. I needed to push it all the way to the floor to get the vehicle to stop. I shifted into park and turned off the vehicle - following turning it back on, the dashboard warning disappeared, I was able to brake again, and the warning has not come back since. My vehicle just passed inspection earlier in the month, and nothing with the brakes came up. This is a critical safety issue! It could have been potentially fatal to myself, my passenger, or other drivers if I could not stop before the intersection, or if this had happened while I was on a main road or highway. I took it into the Ford Lincoln dealership. They cited a faulty HCU/ABS module and recommended replacement, but all parts are after-market at this point and would not come with a warranty. OEM replacements are also extremely difficult to come by. The repairs would take around $3.8k to complete, which is close to the current value of the vehicle. Ford issued Safety Recall 19S54 in December 2019, covering 600,166 model year 2006–2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles for the exact same defect. No recall exists for anything in 2012 despite at least 17 the federal safety agency complaints have been filed for the 2012 Lincoln MKZ alone for this specific brake failure. The 2012 MKZ and Fusion use the same braking system architecture as the recalled vehicles. The failure mechanism is identical. The safety risk is identical.
Lincoln MKZ Hybrid abs comes on
10 of the 182 owner complaints about the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid describe aBS light or ABS activating, most of them for the 2012 model year.
- owner complaints
- 10
- worst model year
- 2012
- typical mileage
- 95,000
By model year
- 20141
- 20131
- 20125
- 20113
Often reported together
What owners say
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and went all the way to the floorboard however, the vehicle failed to immediately stop. The contact stated that after pumping the brake pedal repeatedly the vehicle came to a stop. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with the ABS control module failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went down to the floorboard and the stopping distance was extended. The "Check Braking System" and "Service Advancetrac" messages were displayed. The ABS, brakes, and the electronic stability control warning lights were illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and engaged the electronic parking brake. The contact stated that when she turned off and restarted the vehicle, the warning lights turned off and the vehicle operated as needed. The contact stated that the failure recurred on two separate occasions; however, on the last occasion, the warning lights remained illuminated upon restarting the vehicle, and the brake failure persisted. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. The contact stated the ABS module failed, the older model years were under the recall but the newer cars were not included in this recall. The contact is requesting reimbursement for repairs made to this vehicle.
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brake was inoperable. The Service ABS warning light was illuminated; however, the contact stated that the vehicle was driven to her residence with caution. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact researched and discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) in which her vehicle experienced the same failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the brakes failed to operate upon depression of the brake pedal with several unknown warning lights flashing on the instrument panel. The contact immediately applied the parking brake and drifted the vehicle off to the roadway. The contact restarted the vehicle three times and the warning lights reappeared on the instrument panel. The contact drove the vehicle home and later had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer inspected the vehicle and informed him that the ABS hydraulic control unit was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 69,500. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired.
The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the power steering failed. The contact stated that the ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that she stopped the vehicle and turn off and restarted several times and the vehicle regained normal functionality. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake pedal had become firm while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal to the floorboard and heard an abnormal snapping sound and the brake functionality returned. The contact stated that the ABS and traction control lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact noted that when she placed the vehicle into park(P) with the engine running, the shift indicator would jump out of park(P) into drive(D) or into reverse(R). The contact stated that the vehicle would move in the direction of the gear that was inadvertently stated. The contact stated that the failures were intermittent but recurred several times. The contact researched online and related the failures to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V250000 (Steering), 22V011000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), and 13V594000 (Power Train). The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 161,280.
Started vehicle in parking lot. Brake light, ABS, traction control lights all on. Backed out of parking spot. Thought I could get it home. Pulled out onto city street. Total brake failure; pedal went all the way down. Did not remember to use emergency brake to stop, but put into park to get vehicle to stop. Managed to pull into another parking lot, continuing to put into park to stop. Called aaa and had towed. Dealer invoice states, "verified cust concern. Experienced no power brake assist on vehicle. R&I the ABS control module for internal fault...."
I have advancetrac service warning, hill assist and ABS disabled and the steering wheel being heavier than normal plus the transmission slipping while acceleration and braking. The problem usually happens at wet or cold weather. It started once a day but now at least 50 times a day. Many times that happens when I start the car and turning the steering wheel but it also keep happening during driving. I went to the lincoln dealer at franklin, tennessee and they kept the car for 3 days and after that they did nothing and took $140 for diagnosis!!!!!!!! They give me the car back and told we can't get the problem so keep driving and record your notes for the problem.
Traveling south on ct15 in stop and go traffic. Traffic was moving at about 40 MPH and stopped suddenly. I applied presuure to brake pedal to stop. Pedal went to floor. It appeared that minimual regenerative braking was engaged but no additional friction braking. Car had plenty of distance in which to stop [ more than 140 feet]. Car slowed for a time but when speed was reduced to about 10 MPH, the regenerative braking disengaged and car surged forward and rear ended truck causing substantial body damage. No warning lights were lite on dash. Dealers had inspected brake both before and after crash and reported no problems. Simulated brake assist did not provide any resistance to pressure on pedal. Brake pedal position sensor did not generate brake request or ABS and ECM did not recongnize request for extra braking. Extreme pressure on brake pedal did not activate fail/safe manual friction braking. Car should stop in 140 feet from 60 MPH. Questions - what was the cause of the sba not activating? Why did the ABS and ECM ignore or not properly respond to the braking request? Why the fail/safe friction braking mode fail to activate? What pedal pressure is required to activate mode? There are numerous prior reports of similar symptoms causing accidents in 2011/2012 lincoln/ford hybrids. What is the stopping distance from 60 MPH in fail/safe mode. Ford literature on the hybrid braking system does not speak to this issue or give any warning to customers. How is the fail/safe friction braking system tested to insure proper operation in an emergency? Why does the brake pedal go to the floor when driver is attempting a panic stop?
2011 lincoln mkz. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle brake failure while driving. *smd the ABS module was replaced.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid abs
Why does the abs come on in the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid?
Owners who report it most often also describe brake failure, sudden unintended acceleration and transmission slipping.
Which Lincoln MKZ Hybrid years have aBS light or ABS activating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2012 (5 complaints), 2011 (3 complaints) and 2013 (1 complaints).
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