LincolnMKZ2012Overview/lincoln/mkz/2012/base/

2012 Lincoln MKZ

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 MKZ.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2012 Lincoln MKZ is a passenger car equipped with a 5.0-quart oil capacity requiring 5W-20 viscosity, paired with an automatic six-speed transmission and achieving EPA fuel economy of 17 city, 24 highway, and 19 combined mpg. Notably, this model year accumulated 146 total owner complaints and six recalls, with air bags identified as the top complaint area. Within the model’s complaint history covering 2006 through 2020, the 2012 MKZ sits between the peak of 281 complaints in 2008 and the low of just two in 2020, placing it in the middle of the reliability spectrum for this generation.

Model year202020192018201720162015201420132012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/24/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 96R · 500 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 96R · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-50VR17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.6 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height55.5 in
Wheelbase107.5 in
Curb weight3750 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 24 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume99 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the MKZ of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.8–9.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.80 sec — 2017 Reserve 3.0T Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011Hybrid Sedan 2.5L I-4 + Elec8.40 sec16.40 sec191 hpFWD
20133.7 Sedan 3.7L V66.30 sec14.80 sec300 hpAWD
20133.7 Sedan 3.7L V66.40 sec14.70 sec300 hpAWD
2013EcoBoost Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.60 sec15.00 sec240 hpAWD
2013EcoBoost Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-47.20 sec15.50 sec240 hpAWD
2013EcoBoost Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-47.70 sec15.90 sec240 hpAWD
2013Hybrid Sedan 2.0L I-4 + Elec8.80 sec16.70 sec188 hpFWD
2013Hybrid Sedan 2.0L I-4 + Elec9.40 sec17.20 sec188 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.0-6.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantUSE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts41 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug14.75 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub189 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub189 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.00 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25-1.38 lbs
Oil TypeYN-32

Service checks

Pressure Test18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Pressure Test18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature175-182 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55
Injector Primary Resistance1-2 Turbo ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 19 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle66 ft-lbs / 52 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.905 in / 0.314 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 9074 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9089 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Install 6 new exhaust manifold stud9 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 20,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Lincoln MKZ generated 146 complaints and 6 recalls, an improvement over the 184 complaints and 7 recalls in 2011 and far fewer recalls than the 13 and 14 logged in 2013 and 2014. Air bags accounted for the largest share of 2012 complaints with 65 filings, though the data does not specify root cause, while steering and service brakes also drew double-digit counts. Within the broader arc, 2012 sits after the high-complaint 2007-2008 period and before the sharp recall escalation of the mid-2010s, occupying a relatively moderate position. That federal pattern suggests the 2012 model had largely settled while avoiding the elevated recall activity seen immediately after it. Consequently, the 2012 MKZ appears to be a comparatively calm year in the model’s federal history and a reasonable used-car candidate, provided a buyer verifies the specific air bag and steering items reflected in the complaints.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
38
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
146
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 146 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags65
Unknown Or Other15
Steering14
Service Brakes11
Structure5
Exterior Lighting3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V001000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 07/01/2019

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… 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…

18V775000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 01/11/2018

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 38 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
SSM 530402024-10-10Unknown Or OtherWhile performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 522432024-02-08Engine And Engine CoolingWhen performing any transmission fluid change or topoff involving Motorcraft® Premium…
22B05 S12023-07-27Air BagsCertain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific MKZ. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 MKZ take?

5.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 MKZ have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the MKZ get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.