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2013 Lincoln Mks

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mks years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Lincoln Mks are substantially higher than the model-year median of 43.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

91 reports with mileage · 51 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.

  • Steering. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports4 fire reports7 injury reports

Power Train complaints

9 reports
Clear category filter
112,000 miles · Jul 2, 2025
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while reversing, there was a huge blast of white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for routine maintenance and was diagnosed and determined that the water pump was leaking, the turbo …

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The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while reversing, there was a huge blast of white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for routine maintenance and was diagnosed and determined that the water pump was leaking, the turbo charger was losing power, the power transfer unit was overheating, and the water pump was overheating. The water pump was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #11670829

148,000 miles · Dec 19, 2024
Power Train

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with several undisclosed messages displayed on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The …

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The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with several undisclosed messages displayed on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle remained with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

NHTSA ODI #11631563

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2023
Power Train

Craig Briones 7225 Catalina Isle Drive Lake Worth, Florida 33467 Al Packer Lincoln 1530 North Military Trail West Palm Beach, Florida 33409 3-14-2023 Lincoln MKS (VIN# 1LNHL9EK3DG617409) On March 1, 2023 I brought my 2013 Lincoln MKS with 61,350 miles to Al Packer Lincoln. I have been using Al Packer for routine maintenan…

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Craig Briones 7225 Catalina Isle Drive Lake Worth, Florida 33467 Al Packer Lincoln 1530 North Military Trail West Palm Beach, Florida 33409 3-14-2023 Lincoln MKS (VIN# 1LNHL9EK3DG617409) On March 1, 2023 I brought my 2013 Lincoln MKS with 61,350 miles to Al Packer Lincoln. I have been using Al Packer for routine maintenance and repairs for some time. I noticed a lot of oil coming from the PTU of my vehicle. I complained to Brian Bailes (service writer) and Tim Olson (fixed operation director) that this leak should have Been noticed when my engine oil and filter service was done. It should not have been me to identify a known defect. I explained I wanted the PTU diagnosed and if a new one was needed I wanted the latest model With a Drain plug. I further explained that this is a known Defect and I don’t want to put back the same unit just to have it fail again. I ONLY HAVE 61,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. A unit was installed by Al Packer Lincoln but no one ever checked if it did in fact have a Drain port and no one ever called me to approve a unit without the drain. Lincoln/Ford now recommended PTU FLUID CHANGE at 20,000 to 30,000 miles. Hence the drain plug. I have a Lincoln extended service warranty. When I arrived at Al Packer Lincoln on March 14th 2023 I requested to see the unit installed onto my vehicle. I was told it was the latest model (AT4Z7251G). There is a DT4Z7251G, This model supposedly has the drain plug, why didn’t I get this one. Upon inspection there was no drain plug. The unit had paint pen markings all over it however NO STAMPED “G” UNIT ON THE INSTALLED UNIT. I REQUESTED THE parts invoice and was never given one. Where is the paper trail from Lincoln? Why would Lincoln install a non serviceable unit when it will just fail again. I was charged an additional $90.00 for Al Packer to inspect axle boots and the rear differential when this should be included in routine maintenance. Not a great way to protect customers from fut

NHTSA ODI #11512509

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2023
Power Train

PTU power transfer unit failed at 58,478 miles

NHTSA ODI #11509650

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2023
Forward Collision AvoidancePower Train

Front differential leaking oil

NHTSA ODI #11508330

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2021
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

For some 4 years now our car has gone into a limp mode while being driven at highway speeds, over bridges, and along dark roadways. The check engine wrench lights up when the car goes into this mode. Unannounced, the sudden and immediate slowing of the car leaves it unsafe to driver, passengers, and others on the road who find t…

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For some 4 years now our car has gone into a limp mode while being driven at highway speeds, over bridges, and along dark roadways. The check engine wrench lights up when the car goes into this mode. Unannounced, the sudden and immediate slowing of the car leaves it unsafe to driver, passengers, and others on the road who find themselves behind a fast moving car that suddenly and without notice drastically slows down on its own. It is an uncontrollable unsafe and hazardous creeping condition. The car restarts and drives after being placed in park and shut down. The car then drives normally until the next limp situation. Once the car is turned off and restarted however the check engine wrench clears from display screen, and the code itself clears from the pcm. This has made the intermittent events impossible to catch upon being diagnosed by the dealer. We finally had to drive with our code diagnostic device to try and catch the problem as and when it suddenly arose in traffic. Last week the problem occurred again. We were able to get to the side of the highway and plug in the diagnostic device and pull a single code; DTC P2111. Upon researching the code we found that this unsafe problem as been known to Ford for sometime, but we were not in that group of owners who were sent letters explaining the extended warranty program put into place to correct this situation. That Customer Satisfaction Program, 13N03, extended the warranty period to 10 yrs from in-service and 1500 miles. Our vehicle, a 2013 Lincoln Mks with 110800 mis., is clearly is being affected by the throttle stuck open/closed defect (P2111), and, clearly falls within the extended warranty coverage period. We have tried to get Ford to handle our P2111 Code problem as it has corrected others it acknowledged and repaired, but Ford declined. Ford told us that since NHTSA had not assigned coverage to our VIN#, so it cannot come under the program. We are asking that our car be placed in the program and repaired.

NHTSA ODI #11429278

34,983 miles · Feb 10, 2021
Power Train

WHILE SERVICING MY LINCOLN MKS WITH AN OIL CHANGE, I NOTICED A BROWNISH FLUID LEAKING FROM MY INNER FRONT WHEEL AREA. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT THAT FLUID WAS FOR, SO I GOOGLED IT AND IT SAID IT COULD BE FROM A DEFECTIVE PTU ON MY AWD LINCOLN MKS. AT 34,983 MILES, I TOOK IT TO MY LINCOLN DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, AND IT WAS IN FACT A DEF…

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WHILE SERVICING MY LINCOLN MKS WITH AN OIL CHANGE, I NOTICED A BROWNISH FLUID LEAKING FROM MY INNER FRONT WHEEL AREA. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT THAT FLUID WAS FOR, SO I GOOGLED IT AND IT SAID IT COULD BE FROM A DEFECTIVE PTU ON MY AWD LINCOLN MKS. AT 34,983 MILES, I TOOK IT TO MY LINCOLN DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, AND IT WAS IN FACT A DEFECTIVE PTU. THE MKS WAS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE SO THE COSTLY REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. HOWEVER THE REPLACEMENT UNIT WILL ALSO FAIL AS FORD STATES THAT IT IS LIFETIME GEAR FLUID AND IT DOES NOT NEED FLUSHED OR CHANGED. THE PTU IS LOCATED DIRECTLY NEAR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THAT IS WHAT CAUSES THE FLUID TO OVERHEAT AND TO BREAK DOWN CAUSING THE GEARS TO FAIL IN THE UNIT. OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE ACTUALLY AN ADAPTED VERSION OF THAT PTU WITH A DRAIN PLUG FOR REGULAR FLUSH AND FILL MAINTENANCE BUT NOT VEHICLES IN THE US. CONSUMERS HAVE MADE VIDEOS OF HOW THEY HAVE INSTALLED THEIR OWN DRAIN SYSTEM ON THE PTU TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO DRAIN AND REPLACE THE DEGRADED AND USELESS FLUID IN THE UNIT. THIS IS A SEVERE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS HANDLED.

NHTSA ODI #11395566

5,000 miles · Sep 8, 2013
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING THE 2013 MKS AT 70 MPH ON A 3 LANE HIGHWAY THE POWER CUT OUT AND THE CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE. I WAS ABLE TO GUIDE THE CAR FROM FAR LEFT LANE ACROSS 2 ADDITIONAL LANES TO SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER, WE COASTED. LUCKILY THERE WAS LIGHT TRAFFIC AT THE TIME. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED.…

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WHILE DRIVING THE 2013 MKS AT 70 MPH ON A 3 LANE HIGHWAY THE POWER CUT OUT AND THE CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE. I WAS ABLE TO GUIDE THE CAR FROM FAR LEFT LANE ACROSS 2 ADDITIONAL LANES TO SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER, WE COASTED. LUCKILY THERE WAS LIGHT TRAFFIC AT THE TIME. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED. WHEN OUR SON PICKED US UP ROADSIDE HE CONVEYED THAT THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM HAPPENED TO HIM IN THE CAR. THIS WAS APPROXIMATELY A MONTH EARLIER. I AM SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CREATED AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION FOR US AND OTHER DRIVERS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD US THE CAR. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10542485

458 miles · Aug 23, 2012
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ABILITY TO ACCELERATE WHILE OPERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THIS FORCED THE OPERATOR TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE NAVIGATING THROUGH TRAFFIC. THE POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION/REDUCED POWER (RTT) WRENCH SYMBOL ILLUMINATED IN ADDITION TO THE SERVICE ENGINE S…

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THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ABILITY TO ACCELERATE WHILE OPERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THIS FORCED THE OPERATOR TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE NAVIGATING THROUGH TRAFFIC. THE POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION/REDUCED POWER (RTT) WRENCH SYMBOL ILLUMINATED IN ADDITION TO THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED THE OPERATOR ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE UNDER ITS OWN POWER EVERY 15 MINUTES. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES THE VEHICLE RESPONDED TO THE ACCELERATOR AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE OPERATOR'S RESIDENCE. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY LOST ELECTRICAL POWER FORCING A FAIL SAFE MODE THAT DISCONNECTED THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL. *TR *JS

NHTSA ODI #10472106

Official recalls

7

16V621000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Aug 25, 2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31.

15V812000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Dec 2, 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.

15V340000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Jun 2, 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.

15V040000 · Structure:body:door

Jan 28, 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S02.

14V393000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft

Jul 2, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.

13V270000 · Latches/locks/linkages

Jun 26, 2013

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured November 29, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, with sufficient door openings and closings, the child safety locks may change from an activated position to a deactivated position without notice.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the child lock is deactivated, the door could be unlocked and opened from the inside which could lead to personal injury to an unrestrained child.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the safety locks. If necessary, the locks will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Ford's recall number is 13S07. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

13V227000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

May 31, 2013

Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.

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.