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Campaign 19V904 Posted December 18, 2019 600,166 units

2006-2010 Mercury Milan Recall 19V904: ABS HCU

Recall 19V904 covers 600,166 2006-2010 Mercury Milan, Mkz, Zephyr, and Fusion vehicles for ABS HCU valve sticking. Repair is free at any franchised Mercury dealer.

Recall 19V904 covers 600,166 2006-2010 Mercury Milan, Mkz, Zephyr, and Fusion vehicles because valves inside the ABS hydraulic control unit can react with certain brake fluid additives and fail to close properly. That defect can require extra brake pedal travel to stop the vehicle, increasing crash risk, and Mercury dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.

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What's wrong?

The ABS hydraulic control unit on 2006-2010 Mercury Milan, Mkz, Zephyr, and Fusion vehicles manages brake fluid pressure during anti-lock braking and traction control events. When a wheel starts to lock, the unit opens and closes small valves so braking pressure changes quickly while the tires keep rolling. Those valves are supposed to close again when the ABS event ends.

In the affected units, zinc plating on the normally closed valve armatures reacts with aged DOT 3 brake fluid. Over time, that reaction forms a zinc carboxylate gel inside the valve cylinder. The gel interferes with valve movement, so the valves respond slowly or stay open after ABS activates. When that happens, brake pressure does not return as designed.

There is no warning sign before failure. The problem appears after an ABS activation event, so routine braking can feel normal beforehand. If the brake pedal feels softer after ABS activates, treat it as a brake system problem and contact a Mercury dealer.

Who's affected?

Spans the Milan, Mkz, Zephyr, and Fusion across the 2006-2010 model years, all tied to the same hydraulic brake system.

2010 Mercury Milan hydraulic brake system
2006 Lincoln Mkz hydraulic brake system
2008 Lincoln Zephyr hydraulic brake system
2007 Lincoln Zephyr hydraulic brake system
2010 Ford Fusion hydraulic brake system
Units affected600,166

A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific sedan.

What's the safety risk?

If the valves fail to close properly, stopping the vehicle can require more brake pedal travel, increasing the risk of a crash. Drive cautiously, leave extra stopping room, and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercury dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2006-2010 Mercury Milan, Mkz, Zephyr, or Fusion is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised Mercury dealer to schedule the free brake-system flush, reservoir-cap replacement, and HCU test that address the ABS valve problem behind longer brake pedal travel.
  3. Bring the recall notice if Ford sent one. If not, reference recall number 19V904 when you call.
  4. Allow extra stopping distance until the repair is complete, and avoid hard braking when traffic allows.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Mercury technician flushes the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and installs a new brake fluid reservoir cap. The technician also tests the ABS hydraulic control unit for a stuck valve condition and replaces the HCU if the test shows it is needed. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Ford's reimbursement plan covers eligible owner-paid remedy costs before the recall notice, with eligibility ending April 17, 2020. Bring repair invoices or payment documentation to the service desk.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

December 18, 2019 NHTSA published the recall
December 19, 2019 Dealer notification began
December 19, 2019 Dealer notification ended
January 13, 2020 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)
April 1, 2021 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 19V904?

Recall 19V904 covers 600,166 2006-2010 Mercury Milan, Mkz, Zephyr, and Fusion vehicles with ABS hydraulic control unit valves that can fail to close properly. That failure can require extra brake pedal travel to stop, increasing crash risk. Dealers will flush the brake system and complete the recall repair for free.

What should I do if my 2006-2010 Mercury Milan, Mkz, Zephyr, or Fusion is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V904. If it is, contact a franchised Mercury dealer to schedule the brake system flush, reservoir cap replacement, and HCU test. Reference Ford recall number 19S54 when you call. The repair is free.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford says all services for this recall are free. The dealer will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid, install a new brake fluid reservoir cap, test the HCU, and replace the HCU as needed.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is longer brake pedal travel before the vehicle stops. If the ABS hydraulic control unit valves fail to close properly, the driver needs extra pedal travel to stop the vehicle, increasing crash risk. Check your VIN and schedule the free dealer repair if your vehicle is included.

What if I bought this vehicle used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner, so a used 2006-2010 Mercury Milan, Mkz, Zephyr, or Fusion still qualifies if its VIN is included. Check your VIN, then call the dealer and reference recall number 19V904 or Ford number 19S54.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V904000
Mercury customer service1-866-436-7332
NHTSA recall #19V904
NHTSA recall # (full)19V904000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →