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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

142 reports
300,000 miles · Mar 30, 2016
Engine

MY PARENTS DIED FROM KEYLESS IGNITION DEATH 6/15/2015. THEY BOUGHT THIS CAR AND WERE NOT TOLD THAT IT HAD NO SAFETY FEATURES LIKE LOUD AUDIBLE OR ENGINE SHUT OFF ONCE THEY WALKED AWAY WITH THE KEY-FOB. MAKE NEW REGULATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #10852360

18,000 miles · Mar 14, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE LOW ENGINE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE LOW ENGINE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA ODI #10846385

30,000 miles · Feb 29, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS PARENTS DIED DUE TO CARBON MONOXIDE INTAKE CAUSED BY THE PUSH TO START FEATURE NOT SHUTTING OFF. THERE WERE NO WARNING SOUNDS OR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED THAT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS PARENTS DIED DUE TO CARBON MONOXIDE INTAKE CAUSED BY THE PUSH TO START FEATURE NOT SHUTTING OFF. THERE WERE NO WARNING SOUNDS OR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED THAT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A LACK OF SHUT OFF FEATURES AND AUDIBLE SOUNDS CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. ....UPDATED 03-31-16 *BF UPDATED 07/10/2017*JS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10839042

36,344 miles · Jan 21, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS AND ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN SHORTLY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS AND ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN SHORTLY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,344.

NHTSA ODI #10821394

40,000 miles · Jan 6, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY FATHER PULLED AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN ON A CITY STREET, CROSSED TRAFFIC AND HIT THE BACK BUMPER OF A PICKUP TRUCK AFTER WHICH HIS FOOT SLIPPED ON TO THE ACCELERATOR AND DROVE HIS CAR DIRECTLY INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE IMPACT WITH THE POLE WAS HARD ENOUGH TO SHEER OFF POLE AND THE FRONT OF HIS CAR WAS DAMAGED SIGNIFICANTLY FROM …

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MY FATHER PULLED AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN ON A CITY STREET, CROSSED TRAFFIC AND HIT THE BACK BUMPER OF A PICKUP TRUCK AFTER WHICH HIS FOOT SLIPPED ON TO THE ACCELERATOR AND DROVE HIS CAR DIRECTLY INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE IMPACT WITH THE POLE WAS HARD ENOUGH TO SHEER OFF POLE AND THE FRONT OF HIS CAR WAS DAMAGED SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THE BUMPER TO THE FRAME PUTTING A V-SHAPED INDENTATION AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. HE WAS GOING FAST ENOUGH TO SHEER OFF THE WOODEN UTILITY POLE AND THE WIRES WERE HANGING DOWN OVER THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10818505

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2015
EquipmentStructure

S10-DIRECT REPLY- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE REQUESTING ASSISTANCE IN FACILITATING A CHANGE TO KEYLESS IGNITION SAFETY. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HER BROTHER WALKED INTO HORRIBLE SCENE AND FOUND BOTH OF THEIR PARENTS DEAD. THE CAUSE WAS CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING FROM A 2013 LINCOLN MKS VEHICLE THAT WAS INADVER…

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S10-DIRECT REPLY- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE REQUESTING ASSISTANCE IN FACILITATING A CHANGE TO KEYLESS IGNITION SAFETY. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HER BROTHER WALKED INTO HORRIBLE SCENE AND FOUND BOTH OF THEIR PARENTS DEAD. THE CAUSE WAS CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING FROM A 2013 LINCOLN MKS VEHICLE THAT WAS INADVERTENTLY LEFT RUNNING IN THEIR GARAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD A KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEM THAT FAILED TO HAVE AN AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF OR AN ADEQUATE AUDIBLE ALARM. *JB UPDATED 11/09/15.*JB UPDATED 11/17/15.8JB

NHTSA ODI #10806904

18,000 miles · Oct 23, 2015
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FLAMES WERE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEAL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FLAMES WERE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ UPDATED 01/27/16*LJ UPDATED 03/04/16.*JB UPDATED 05/21/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #10785588

15,923 miles · Jul 28, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOST POWER AND MADE A GROWLING NOISE AT EVERY TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WAS ERRATIC AND THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL (PSC) MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOST POWER AND MADE A GROWLING NOISE AT EVERY TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WAS ERRATIC AND THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL (PSC) MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,923. UPDATED 09/14/15*LJ UPDATED 12/12/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10744199

24,480 miles · Jan 14, 2015
Visibility/wiper

WHILE DRIVING (ENTERING) A MAIN STREET FROM A SERVICE STATION IN MILES CITY,MT. IN A HEAVY DOWNPOUR, AS I PASSED THROUGH THE CURB/STREET DRAINAGE AREA, I HEARD A SLIGHT BUT LOUD THUMP LIKE A BIRD STRIKE BUT IT WAS RAINING TO HARD FOR THAT. A BLOCK AWAY FROM THE INITIAL TURN I ENTERED I-94 EAST WHEN MY WIFE SAID THAT WE HAVE A PR…

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WHILE DRIVING (ENTERING) A MAIN STREET FROM A SERVICE STATION IN MILES CITY,MT. IN A HEAVY DOWNPOUR, AS I PASSED THROUGH THE CURB/STREET DRAINAGE AREA, I HEARD A SLIGHT BUT LOUD THUMP LIKE A BIRD STRIKE BUT IT WAS RAINING TO HARD FOR THAT. A BLOCK AWAY FROM THE INITIAL TURN I ENTERED I-94 EAST WHEN MY WIFE SAID THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM AS A WINDSHIELD CRACK APPEARED FROM UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AS WE DROVE FURTHER DOWN THE FREEWAY THE CRACK CONTINUED TO RUN TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD, THE CRACK WAS SO BAD THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WOULD JUMP EVERY TIME IT PASSED OVER THE CRACK. THIS WAS ON A SUNDAY & NO DEALERS IN THE AREA WERE OPEN, ON MONDAY MORNING I CALLED LINCOLN FROM OUTSIDE OF JAMESTOWN, ND ABOUT THE PROBLEM & THEY DIRECTED ME TO A DEALER IN FARGO,ND TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE WINDSHIELD & SEND DIRECTLY TO LINCOLN WHICH THEY DID. AS WE WHERE ABOUT 30 MILES EAST OF FARGO, LINCOLN CALLED US NOT TO DRIVE ANY FARTHER AND THAT LINCOLN WOULD REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AT THEIR COST WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED. I CALLED A DEALER THAT LINCOLN SUGGESTED & THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE 2 DAYS TO GET A WINDSHIELD FROM ST. PAUL. THE WINDSHIELD WAS ONLY CRACKED ON THE OUTER GLASS & CLOUDED UP ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CRACK. WE STAYED IN OSAKIS,MN UNTIL 7SEPT.14, THEN DROVE TO ST. PAUL FOR A WINDOW CHANGE ON 8SEPT.14 AT WHITE BEAR LINCOLN IN ST. PAUL. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ON INVOICE [XXX], CUSTOMER # [XXX], WHILE THIS WAS IN PROGRESS I ASKED THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER IF HE HAD EVER SEEN SOMETHING LIKE & HE STATED NO, NOT ON THIS NEW OF A LINCOLN. I HAVE NEVER HEARD BACK FROM LINCOLN AS TOO WHY THIS CRACK APPEARED, BUT I DO BELIEVE THEY KNOW WHY??. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY WINDSHIELD PROBLEMS SINCE IT WAS REPLACED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10672575

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2014
Electrical SystemFire

THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR MAKE, MODEL, & YEAR TO FIX A PROBLEM WHICH WOULD LEAD TO A FIRE. HOWEVER, THE RECALL NOTICE WAS NEVER RECEIVED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY, FIDUCIARY, HAVE DENIED THE CLAIM AS THEY DO NOT COVER FIRES CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627081

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.