The Lincoln MKZ is a four-door, mid-size sedan manufactured and marketed as the MKZ and the Zephyr. Produced by Lincoln and Ford Motor Company as a joint venture, this car has been in production from 2006 until 20202. Despite the popularity for over 14 years, the 2008 Lincoln MKZ problems deter some car buyers from purchasing this model year.
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Let’s see the basics of the Lincoln MKZ, the main problems in each car category, such as the wheels, engine, transmission, electrical system, and AC/heater, and the repair costs associated with the most common issues!
Lincoln MKZ Introduction
First Generation
The first generation comprised the 2006-2012 model years. This generation featured three engine types; the 3.0-liter Duratec 30 V6, 3.5-liter Duratec 35 V6, and the 2.5-liter Duratec 25l4 Hybrid. The transmission available for this car was the 6-speed Aisin TF-80 automatic.
For the 2008 model year, the MKZ received various new features as part of the facelift. The car included a Sirius satellite radio, leather seats, reverse sensing system, tire pressure monitoring system, and stability control. Despite these additions, the 2008 Lincoln MKZ problems still reduced this model year’s reliability and safety.
Second Generation
The second generation was from 2013 until the 2002 model year, with Ford redesigning the MKZ for the 2013 year, sharing a car platform with the Ford Fusion and Mondeo models. The engine types available for this year included the 2.0liter EcoBoost l4, 2.0-liter Duratec l4 Hybrid, 3.7-liter Duratec V6, and the 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 twin-turbo engine.
2008 Lincoln MKZ Problems – Wheels & Hubs
One of the main categories regarding the 2008 Lincoln MKZ problems focuses on the wheels and the hubs in this vehicle.
Chrome Coming off the Wheels
- The wheels’ top concern and the hubs focus on the chrome chipping and lifting off the wheels.
- The main solution for this problem is to do the repair yourself or replace the entire wheel.
Repair the chrome:
- The first step in repairing the chrome on the wheel is to fill all the scratches with hard epoxy resin.
- Next, buff the epoxy to smooth it with the rest of the rim.
- Sand the epoxy with sandpaper or wool to make it gritty and cling to the spray paint, and stick on the wheels.
- Then, spray the entire rim with the desired chrome spray paint that matches the original color.
Replace the Wheels:
- If the chrome is too damaged to replace yourself, this is one of the most severe 2008 Lincoln MKZ problems. In this case, you have to replace the wheels.
- The average cost for wheel replacement is between $752 and $763. The price of the labor is between $44 and $56, with this procedure typically taking less than 45 minutes-1 hour. The price of the parts is the most expensive component, coming in at over $700.
Tires Not Holding Air
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- The second concern in the 2008 Lincoln MKZ is the tires not holding air. If this is the case, you will not drive on the road or control your car safely.
- If you are just repairing a patch on a tire that has occurred due to a puncture or sharp object, you can expect to pay between $10 to $20 at your local mechanic’s shop.
- If you decide to purchase a gently used tire, this can cost as low as $20.
- If you purchase a new tire for your MKZ, this can cost between $100 and $1,000 to fix the 2008 Lincoln MKZ problems!
2008 Lincoln MKZ Problems – Interior Accessories
The second main category addressing the 2008 Lincoln MKZ problems is the interior accessories, with durability concerns regarding the dashboard and interior panel.
Dash Unattached From The Car
- Dashboards take a lot of abuse and wear and tear from consistent driving – they are exposed to sunlight, movement, and objects sitting on top. Due to everyday use, the exposure can cause the vinyl to crack.
Repairing your dashboard:
- The first step in repairing the dashboard is to inspect the dash for peels and cracks. Sand the cracks until the surface is smooth
- Clean the dashboard with warm water, grease, detergent, and a sponge to clean out any grime and debris.
- Next, cover the windshield with newspaper and tape to protect other areas of your car.
- Lightly sand the entire dashboard with sandpaper.
- Clean the surface with alcohol and a cloth to remove grease.
- Fill in the gaps and cracks with a primer and sealer.
- Next, apply two coats of primer, followed by two coats of vinyl spray paint to fix the 2008 Lincoln MKZ problems.
Replace your dashboard:
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- If you find that sanding, priming, and repairing the dashboard does not fix the 2008 Lincoln MKZ problems, you may have to pay for a complete dashboard replacement.
- The average cost for a dashboard replacement is between $2118 and $2267, with the labor between $570 and $720 for around 6-7 hours of work. The parts of this procedure come in at a whopping $1,548.
Interior Panel Comes Off
- If you are doing any of these things, you directly interact with the dashboard and instrument panel. Although a broken instrument panel may only be a nuisance if broken, it can cause extreme safety concerns if the lights no longer work, your safety signals are not functioning, or the display of crucial components, like speed and gas mileage, are no longer showing on the panel.
- The average cost of replacing the interior panel will range between $2,118 and $2,267. This means that although this part is not the engine or transmission, almost all car owners will pay over $2k to repair or replace this component in their vehicle.
2008 Lincoln MKZ problems – Drivetrain
Vibrations While Driving
- If you notice your car is vibrating while driving, this could be due to various reasons, such as fluid leaking, your gears slipping, lack of shifting, and clutch pedal laxity.
Fluid Leaks:
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- Transmission leaks are among the most common signs of a faulty transmission in vehicles on the road today. Unfortunately for car owners, transmission leaks can lead to further longevity issues, such as pan gasket repairs, axle and driveshaft seal leaks, or transmission cooling line leaks.
- If you find a leak in your transmission, you need to see the leak’s origin to plug the seal and prevent further liquid from pooling.
- Repairing an oil pan gasket costs between $100 and $350, with some parts costing between $40 and $150, while the labor is the most expensive part of this equation.
Gears Slipping:
- If you don’t know what gear slipping feels like, you will most likely notice this problem by high engine revving and a lack of acceleration and horsepower. Other warning signs of a faulty transmission and gear slipping include trouble shifting gears, sliding sounds, high RPM, burnt fluid, low fluid levels, and a check engine light.
- The cost of having your transmission fluid by a player or independent service center typically ranges between $80 and $250, with the average price coming to $100 for both manual and automatic cars to fix the 2008 Lincoln MKZ problems.
Lack of Shifting
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- The transmission bands are key parts in your mechanism that wrap around internal parts, allowing quick upshifting and downshifting. Inside the transmission, the solenoids, sensors, fluid pump, and pistons all work together to control pressure and determine when to shift and how hard.
- Replacing a transmission solenoid costs around $250 for a single replacement, while an entire pack costs around $400 to fix the 2008 Lincoln MKZ problems.
Clutch Pedal Laxity
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- A clutch that will not engage or change gears smoothly is one of the most noticeable signs of a faulty transmission for those who have a manual car. A faulty clutch makes it impossible to shift gears without loud grinding noises – in some of the most severe cases, the drier will not be able to change gears at all.
- Replacing the clutch in your car costs between $500 and $2500 to fix the 2008 Lincoln MKZ problems.
2008 Lincoln MKZ Problems – Electrical
Battery Failure
- The car battery provides the necessary electricity to power the electrical components within your vehicle. Without the battery power from the car’s internal battery, no electrical component will work, like the lights, dashboard lights, or power windows.
- You can expect the battery replacement to run between $115 and $225 at your local mechanic.
- If you find you can do the labor by yourself and save around $80 – $100 on the total battery replacement cost, you can buy only the parts at a shop near your house. The price of the parts for this fix is between $49 and $199 in total.
2008 Lincoln MKZ Problems – Engine
Head Gasket Issues
- The head gasket is a ring or circular-shaped panel located between the cylinder head and engine block. The cylinder head sits above the cylinder block, helping to form the closure on the top of the engine’s combustion chamber. The upper part of the engine is the cylinder head, while the lower part is commonly referred to as the engine block.
- The average head gasket repair cost is between $1,285 and $1,568, with the price fluctuations depending on where you bring your car to get work done and the parts and labor cost. Labor costs are estimated between $1,022 and $1,289, while the parts typically range between $264 and $279.
2008 Lincoln MKZ Problems – Air Bags
Airbag Light On
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- Vehicle airbags in a car are extremely important for driver and occupant safety. This form of safety restraint is used in tandem with seat belts to protect the passengers and drivers from catapulting forward and potentially injuring their head on the front window.
- Since there are so many components and internal parts that need to be replaced, the total cost for airbag replacement ranges from $1,000 to $5,000.
- Within this price range, the total cost of the labor accounts for about ⅓ of the total. You can expect the labor price to range between $350 and $1,500 on average for the airbag replacement cost.
- If the airbag control module needs to be replaced due to damage or extensive use, you can expect to pay between $400 and $1,200 for a new one.
2020 Lincoln MKZ Reliability
If you are looking to purchase a new Lincoln due to the frequent and severe 2008 Lincoln MKZ problems, the 2020 model year might be a smart option for you. This car earned the #9 spot in the Luxury Midsize Cars category.
The positives of the 2020 Lincoln MKZ include the serene and comfortable ride, large trunk, and ample cargo area. However, the negatives of the 2020 MKZ include the lack of agility and handling, underwhelming and cheap cabin materials, and lack of space in the rear seats. Some of the issues with the new model year are reminiscent of the 2008 Lincoln MKZ problems.
Car US News Scorecard gave this vehicle a 7.2 out of 10, earning a 6.5 out of 10 for Critics’ rating, 6.9 for performance, 5.9 for interior, and 9.8 for safety.
The Bottom Line
With the prevalent 2008 Lincoln MKZ problems in each car category, like with the wheels and hubs, transmission, engine, electrical system, and safety mechanisms, potential car owners may be dissuaded from buying this model year.
Before you decide to try out the 2008 Lincoln MKZ, drivers need to be aware of the chrome peeling off the rims, the dashboard coming off the car, the interior panel falling out, vibrations while driving, battery failure, and head gasket issues. Although some of these concerns are mainly cosmetic, some of the problems are very severe and expensive in terms of repairs and replacements.
To avoid hefty repair and replacement prices, drives should avoid purchasing this model year due to the frequent 2008 Lincoln MKZ problems!