Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
170–25K
1125–50K
2150–75K
1675–100K
17100–150K
9150K+
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
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2025
Electrical System
The climate control system malfunctions by raising the temperature for the heater without any input. When turned off, it turns on by itself and resumes raising the temperature until it maxes out. This occurs when first started and also while driving, causing a severe distraction as the beeping is distracting and the temperatur…
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The climate control system malfunctions by raising the temperature for the heater without any input. When turned off, it turns on by itself and resumes raising the temperature until it maxes out. This occurs when first started and also while driving, causing a severe distraction as the beeping is distracting and the temperature will not stop rising even when the My Temperature buttons are pressed to decrease the temperature. Other MKS owners have complained online. The car is available for inspection upon request. Sustained distraction while trying to find the temperature adjustment buttons and the off button lasts too long, creating a serious driving danger and large potential for an accident, even a head on accident. I have only experienced this when using the heater. It has not happened to me in the summer yet. I have not taken it to a dealer, yet. I will soon to find out how much they want to charge me for their vehicle design failure. The vehicle has not been inspected by others. There were no warnings or messages or symptoms. They first appeared within the last six months and have gotten worse with time. Now the runaway climate control occurs more frequently while driving.
NHTSA ODI #11652415
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2025
Electrical SystemSteeringWheels
Ill be driving and my car will whip me right off the road
NHTSA ODI #11639070
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2025
Lane DepartureSteering
Power steering assist faulty. To regain power steering control turn the car off. Throughout the past six months, this happened several times.
NHTSA ODI #11636122
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
60,000 miles · Dec 13, 2024
Electrical System
The contact 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the heating system activated independently and was blowing hot air on a 90-degree summer day. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring and persisted while driving. Upon investigating the failure online, the contact related the failure …
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The contact 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the heating system activated independently and was blowing hot air on a 90-degree summer day. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring and persisted while driving. Upon investigating the failure online, the contact related the failure to the Front Control Interface Module (FCIM). The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the part was not available to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #11630589
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2024
Steering
I own since May 2015 a 2013 Lincoln MKS . On [XXX] after pulling out from the curb and driving straight about 20 feet a prompt was displayed showing :power steering assist not available I was unable to steer the car. I turned the car off after a minute i started the car again and was OK. I took the vehicle to Hinton repair shop…
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I own since May 2015 a 2013 Lincoln MKS . On [XXX] after pulling out from the curb and driving straight about 20 feet a prompt was displayed showing :power steering assist not available I was unable to steer the car. I turned the car off after a minute i started the car again and was OK. I took the vehicle to Hinton repair shop in Ocala Florida and a scan showed a defective module. The mechanic ordered the module and rack and pinion. I called Lincoln and was told there is nothing they can do since there is no recall .There is a NHTSA campaign number 15v340000 which should apply to my vehicle. I believe my car was affected by this campaign defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11620975
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2024
Fuel System, Gasoline
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V227000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of…
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The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V227000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool showed no open recall.
NHTSA ODI #11618931
73,698 miles · Aug 8, 2024
Fuel System, GasolineSteering
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was restarted and driven without further failure. Additionally, the contact stated that …
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The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was restarted and driven without further failure. Additionally, the contact stated that recently after the vehicle was started, the power steering assists failure warning light illuminated. The contact checked the power steering fluid level, and the level was sufficient. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact researched and discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V621000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 15V34000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not included in the recalls. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,698.
NHTSA ODI #11607291
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2024
SteeringCrashInjury
I was driving my 2013 limcoln mks and all of the sudden I could not turn the vehicle left or right. Then I had these 2 warnings: power assist fault and service advancetrac. This is very dangerous. It caused me to run my car into wall in front of me. It could have been a person. I called lincoln and was told there were no active…
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I was driving my 2013 limcoln mks and all of the sudden I could not turn the vehicle left or right. Then I had these 2 warnings: power assist fault and service advancetrac. This is very dangerous. It caused me to run my car into wall in front of me. It could have been a person. I called lincoln and was told there were no active recalls, yet no repairs ever on my steering. SO even though there was a recall for 2011-2013 limcoln mks power steering, it did not include my vin. I guess they just don't want to have to take responsibility. It boggles my mind how they can include or not include certain vins because my vehicle had the same thing happen as the recall for same year make and model, yet not my vin and it is allowed. Then when I get on the nhtsa website and see all of these same complaints, that it is perfectly ok because why? What is it, a sneaky way to continue with population control because covid didn't quite kill enough people for the government to reach their potential? This is ludicrous. It is ridiculous. It is unsafe. It is horrific that vehicles like mine are even allowed to drive on the road, with such a high risk on the road....seriously, why is my vin not included and what is the criteria when there is a recall for certain year make and model, why aren't every vehicle matching that year make and model included. To exclude them would mean that it had to be thoroughly investigated and investigating that thoroughly would mean to discover that indeed that vehicle should also be included. Maybe this recall is only for the elite and not for the meek. All created equal....not even close.
NHTSA ODI #11601522
103,000 miles · Jun 27, 2024
Steering
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to turn to the right or the left. The vehicle was driven to the residenc…
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The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to turn to the right or the left. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact's brother checked the power steering fluid level; however, the fluid level was sufficient. The contact researched and discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair would not be covered under the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2013 Lincoln Mks Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year