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2006 Lincoln Zephyr

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

91 reports with mileage · 138 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 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Wheels. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

229 reports
62,000 miles · Jun 22, 2010
StructureSuspension

ISSUE WITH WEAK, INADEQUATE WELDS ON A 2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR. THIS ISSUE IS RELATED TO FORD TSB 06-24-07, AND INVOLVED THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE SUBFRAME NOT ONLY HOLD THE ENGINE AND SUPPORTING PARTS, THE AREA IN QUESTION IS ALSO INTEGRAL TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION/STEERING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IS A WELD BREAKS WH…

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ISSUE WITH WEAK, INADEQUATE WELDS ON A 2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR. THIS ISSUE IS RELATED TO FORD TSB 06-24-07, AND INVOLVED THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE SUBFRAME NOT ONLY HOLD THE ENGINE AND SUPPORTING PARTS, THE AREA IN QUESTION IS ALSO INTEGRAL TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION/STEERING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IS A WELD BREAKS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND POSES A SERIOUS INJURY RISK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339530

43,905 miles · Mar 17, 2009
Wheels

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR WHEELS ON HIS VEHICLE WERE DEFECTIVE. THE WHEELS CAUSE THE TIRES TO FLATTEN AND WILL NOT HOLD AIR. THE CONTACT MUST PLACE AIR IN THE TIRES EACH WEEK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW WHEELS, BUT AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE BECAUSE THEY WERE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR WHEELS ON HIS VEHICLE WERE DEFECTIVE. THE WHEELS CAUSE THE TIRES TO FLATTEN AND WILL NOT HOLD AIR. THE CONTACT MUST PLACE AIR IN THE TIRES EACH WEEK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW WHEELS, BUT AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,905. UPDATED 4/16/09 *CN UPDATED 04/20/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10262123

19,000 miles · Jan 22, 2009
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON AN ICY ROAD, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL AND DECELERATED TO 35 MPH. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, STOPPED AT A REST STOP, AND CALLED A MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY BE DUE TO THE TRACTION CONTR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON AN ICY ROAD, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL AND DECELERATED TO 35 MPH. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, STOPPED AT A REST STOP, AND CALLED A MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY BE DUE TO THE TRACTION CONTROL, WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE ABS. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND THEN IN DRIVE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN DRIVING NORMALLY AFTER THE PARKING BRAKE WAS RELEASED. THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED AND THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. UPDATED 02-23-09 *BF UPDATED 02/25/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10255947

2,000 miles · Jun 3, 2008
Unknown Or Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF OPEN WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING STARTED SIMPLY BY PUSHING THE REMOTE IGNITION KEY. SHE STATED THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF COULD BE OPENED WITHOUT HER KNOWLEDGE, ALLOWING SOMEONE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE FA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF OPEN WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING STARTED SIMPLY BY PUSHING THE REMOTE IGNITION KEY. SHE STATED THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF COULD BE OPENED WITHOUT HER KNOWLEDGE, ALLOWING SOMEONE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE MARCH OF 2008. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. FORD STATED THAT THERE WAS A GLITCH IN THE REMOTE IGNITION KEY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,348 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 06/25/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE ARE 4 SYMBOL BUTTONS ON THE IGNITION KEY THAT DO NOT REQUIRE A LOT OF FORCE TO ACTIVATE. THE BUTTONS CAN BE ACTIVATED BY OBJEXTS PUCHING AGAINST THEM. UPDATED 06/25/08

NHTSA ODI #10229789

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2007
Tires

ONE MICHELIN ENERGY S8 MXVA P225/50 R17 TIRE WAS LOSING AIR ON MY 2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR. THE WAS VISIBLE SIDE WALL SEPARATION ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE AND ALSO, 180 DEGREES ON THE OUTSIDE. DEALER/MICHELIN CLAIMED IS WAS RESULT OF HITTING A POT HOLE. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. DEFECT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. HAD 2…

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ONE MICHELIN ENERGY S8 MXVA P225/50 R17 TIRE WAS LOSING AIR ON MY 2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR. THE WAS VISIBLE SIDE WALL SEPARATION ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE AND ALSO, 180 DEGREES ON THE OUTSIDE. DEALER/MICHELIN CLAIMED IS WAS RESULT OF HITTING A POT HOLE. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. DEFECT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. HAD 20,000 MILES AT TIME OF COMPLAINT. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT OTHER INDIVIDUALS HAD SAME ISSUES WITH MICHELIN TIRES.... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10200351

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2006
Seats

PURCHASED LINC ZEPHER IN JAN 2006, AUTO HAS BEEN SERVICED 4 OR 5 TIMES TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE COOLED/HEATED SETS. THE UNIT NEVER RAN FOR MORE THAN 30 MINUTES AND WHEN DOWN FROM THERE TO 15 MIN THEN 5 MIN THEN NOT AT ALL. DEALER REPLACED ALL PARTS RELATING TO THIS UNIT BUT SYSTEM WILL FUNCTION ON FOR 30 MINUTES NOW AT FULL CAPACIT…

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PURCHASED LINC ZEPHER IN JAN 2006, AUTO HAS BEEN SERVICED 4 OR 5 TIMES TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE COOLED/HEATED SETS. THE UNIT NEVER RAN FOR MORE THAN 30 MINUTES AND WHEN DOWN FROM THERE TO 15 MIN THEN 5 MIN THEN NOT AT ALL. DEALER REPLACED ALL PARTS RELATING TO THIS UNIT BUT SYSTEM WILL FUNCTION ON FOR 30 MINUTES NOW AT FULL CAPACITY THEN FOR THE NEXT 30 MINUTES RUN AT A DIMINISHED CAPACITY THEN AFTER 60 MINUTES IN TOTAL DOES NOT FUNCTION. SERVICE REP. STATES THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION OF THIS EQUIPMENT IT OVERHEATS AND WILL NOT WORK. EVEN THOUGH THE ZEPHER SALES INFORMATION STATES ON PAGE 10. - "THE 3 COOL SETTINGS JOIN 3 HEAT SETTINGS TO KEEP YOU COMFORTABLE ALL DAY - AND ALL NIGHT"

NHTSA ODI #10174976

3,100 miles · Aug 21, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A PARKED VEHICLE WAS STRUCK WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH. THE PARKED VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE OF TRAFFIC CHANGING A FLAT TIRE AND UPON INITIAL IMPACT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS, BUT MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTA…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A PARKED VEHICLE WAS STRUCK WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH. THE PARKED VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE OF TRAFFIC CHANGING A FLAT TIRE AND UPON INITIAL IMPACT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS, BUT MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, DUE TO EXTENSIVE BODY DAMAGE. THE POLICE RESPONDED TO THE SCENE AND TOOK A REPORT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 09/15/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10166130

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2006
Structure

2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR LIGHT REFLECTS INTO THE REAR WINDSHIELD AND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. *TS ***NAR***

NHTSA ODI #10160496

25 miles · Jun 1, 2006
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

BRAND NEW 2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR. ELECTRIC DOORS DO NOT LOCK UNTIL A SPEED OF 15-18 MPH IS REACHED. FORD'S MANUAL STATES: "DOORS LOCK AT 12 MPH". DEALER COULD NOT FIX IT. CONTACTED FORD. THEY CONSIDER IT A "NON ISSUE" AND CLOSED THE FILE. I FIND THIS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE IT TAKES A LONG TIME IN BUSY COMMUTE TRAFFIC TO GAIN THIS SP…

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BRAND NEW 2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR. ELECTRIC DOORS DO NOT LOCK UNTIL A SPEED OF 15-18 MPH IS REACHED. FORD'S MANUAL STATES: "DOORS LOCK AT 12 MPH". DEALER COULD NOT FIX IT. CONTACTED FORD. THEY CONSIDER IT A "NON ISSUE" AND CLOSED THE FILE. I FIND THIS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE IT TAKES A LONG TIME IN BUSY COMMUTE TRAFFIC TO GAIN THIS SPEED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10158794

Official recalls

4

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.

19V904000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Dec 18, 2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not close properly.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the HCU will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition, replacing the HCU as necessary. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S54.

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.

16V384000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 31, 2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang 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 model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang 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." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, 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. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. 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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.