Owners filed 69 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 7 times.
When it fails
08900089,000 milesMedian miles at failure
44 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000–150,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Steering
28
1
0
0
Fuel/Propulsion System
7
0
0
0
Electrical System
6
0
1
0
Structure › Body
5
0
1
0
Unknown or Other
4
0
0
0
Suspension
4
0
0
0
Power Train
2
0
0
0
Engine
2
0
0
0
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
1
0
0
0
Visibility/Wiper
1
0
0
0
7 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Suspension › Rear20V072000
Filed Feb 10, 2020211,207 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Risk. A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.
Filed Aug 25, 201677,502 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline15V812000
Filed Dec 2, 2015868 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Steering › Electric Power Assist System15V340000
Filed Jun 2, 2015393,623 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Electrical System15V172000
Filed Mar 24, 20151,549 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Lincoln MKT vehicles with a limousine or hearse preparation package, manufactured March 6, 2012, to March 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the vacuum pump relay may overheat due to an internal fault or contamination.
Risk. If the vacuum pump relay overheats, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vacuum pump relay with a new electro-mechanical relay, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S10.
Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft14V393000
Filed Jul 2, 201483,250 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline13V227000
Filed May 31, 2013390,783 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Structure › Body
Filed Nov 4, 2025IA
B and C pillar trim panels have come loose requiring replacement when they fall off. One completely detached while I was driving on the interstate and was run over by a vehicle behind me.
Back Over Prevention › Warnings
Filed Nov 4, 2025IA
Rear camera requires replacement approx. every 3 years Images start getting reversed or upside down, then very grainy and then the camera completely fails altogether. When the camera fails you get a warning stating " Camera is unavailable please contact the dealership" I have put 2 cameras in the vehicle, both were Motorcraft parts purchased at the dealership. When I purchased the vehicle the dealership that sold the car to me indicated they had replaced the camera in July of 2022 with an aftermarket unit that failed on me in November of 2022. These cameras frequently fail, it is widely reported across all Ford/Lincoln vehicles. Edge, Explorer, Flex, MKT, MKX being the most widely spoken about.
Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 31, 2025MD
I own a 2013 Lincoln MKT (VIN: [XXX] ). The backup camera intermittently fails when the vehicle is placed in reverse. The screen will either go completely black or show a distorted/blurred image, and it happens unpredictably. When the failure occurs, there is no usable rear visibility through the camera. This presents a significant safety hazard, especially when backing out of driveways, parking lots, and areas where pedestrians or children may be behind the vehicle. Lincoln has already issued a recall for the same backup camera malfunction on later model-year MKT vehicles, and the symptoms on my vehicle are identical to those in the recall description. However, my VIN is not currently included. I am requesting that NHTSA review this issue for potential recall expansion, as the same defect appears to affect additional production years. I have video documentation available upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Suspension
Filed Jul 29, 2025NY
Both rear driver and passenger side toe links were replaced at Colonial Ford in Connecticut due to the recall. The driver side is fine, the defective part installed at Colonial Ford is the passenger side. This should be covered by Colonial Ford, as I'm at no fault for the time it took to find this defect which is not apparent until you place the vehicle on a lift and perform a professional inspection. There are no warning lamps or messages to alert the owner there is a defective part that could cause a life threatening accident with a replaced suspension part. Both Lincoln and Colonial Ford state there's nothing they can do because the replacement recall part is out of warranty, 1yr./12,000. I'd driven less than 3,000 miles when the defective replacement was found during a multi-point inspection at a different dealership. Also, the left rear toe link is fine, which proves the problem is with that specific part. Now I'm stuck with a future out of pocket replacement cost and I'm driven around with a recalled part that's more dangerous than the original. NHTSA and Lincoln should hold dealerships accountable when a life or death situation is created with an installed replacement part during a recall. Not wait for a person to get killed in an accident or a lawsuit to correct a recall replacement part defect.
Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 11, 2024OR
I purchased a used vehicle and had an open safety recall for the rear tow link replacement do to the fact that it could lose steering control and crash if not replaced so I scheduled an appointment with my local dealership to have them replaced I took it in on a Friday they called me to come pick it up asked me to return the following Friday for an alignment so I did after the following Friday's alignment my steering wheel was sideways when it was going forward it was a bad alignment so I call them back up and explain the situation and that they needed to fix it to which they called back and left a message saying that it was not part of the recall and that I would have to pay for it out of pocket which is completely incorrect as I have also confirmed with another dealership that it is part of the recall after discussing that with them they took it back in they said they'd look at it according to the paperwork they gave me when I picked it up yet again it said that he had clocked in for 2 minutes so I obviously was concerned with the alignment so I called another dealership and asked if I could take it into them. Long story shorts the safety recall had never been performed at all!
Structure › Body
Filed Oct 8, 2024FL
While traveling out of state, the latch on the passenger’s side door would not latch. Doing a quick google search, we found that in 2015 and 2020a recall was issued for a broken pawl spring tab. We did not own the car in 2015 and never received a notice for 2020. Since the door was unable to latch, I had to physically hold door while my husband drove down the interstate. We contacted our local Lincoln dealership and scheduled an appointment to be inspected. We were advised that we would have to pay for the repairs and to contact Ford. Ford was contacted and advised that the extended warranty had expired and they were not responsible. We never received a recall notice. We have appt October 8 with Lincoln dealership to be repaired since you’re unable to drive car without door flying open.
Steering
Filed May 3, 2024121,000 milesCA
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering wheel was seized. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact researched online 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 not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.
Steering
Filed Apr 26, 2024111,000 milesNC
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic signal, the light changed, and the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the contact attempted to turn the steering wheel and the steering wheel was firm. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed and determined that the steering rack and pinion gears needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
Electrical System
Filed Nov 20, 2023CA
I applied my hazards when pulling over and once it was safe to resume, I went to turn off my hazards and they would not turn off. I tried shutting off the vehicle and restarting but nothing was clearing it. The button was not stuck either. After about 20 mins of driving with the hazards, I tried the button again and the hazards shut off. I believe there is an issue with the front control panel.
Steering
Filed Oct 5, 2023MI
I was driving and the power steering went out while driving. The power steering warning light came on as the steering went out. It was extremely difficult to steer the car. I was fortunate to keep my car under control and stop. Upon investigating how to fix the issue, I discovered the power steering in this vehicle is "electric power steering" thus no way for me to fix it by adding fluid, etc. I was away from home and found an independent garage which told me this seems to be a common problem in this year vehicle and that I had to take it to a Ford Dealership for repair. Upon investigating there are many complaints of this occurring in Lincoln MKT cars. I called Ford Motor Company and there has been no action by the company to alert owners of this and to fix it. This could have had serious consequences because it occurred while the car was in motion.
Steering
Filed Jun 12, 2023207,000 milesIL
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the power steering assist and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact immediately felt the vehicle lose power steering assist, and the contact and pulled over. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle to reset the power steering functionality. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the power steering assist and rack and pinion and steering gear needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic referred the contact to a dealer; however, vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 207,000.
Steering
Filed May 17, 202365,000 milesOK
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to drive out of a parking space, the power steering fault message was displayed on the instrument panel. The steering became difficult to operate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
Steering
Filed Sep 29, 2022ID
The electric power steering in my 2013 Lincoln MKT fails to operate.. making this vehicle very dangerous to drive.Ford has issued a recall 15s18 for this problem, but they say my car is not included in the recall. how can that be, I have the same problem on my car... why isn't my car included?
Steering
Filed Sep 23, 202254,000 milesID
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was seized. The driver restarted the vehicle and the steering functionality returned and operated as designed. The electronic power steering fault message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.
Steering
Filed Sep 22, 2022ID
While driving my 2013 Lincoln MKT the steering became impossible to navigate the vehicle. Luckily we were able to get out of traffic and shut the car down. after letting it sit for a few minutes we restarted the car and it was working okay.but, the outcome could have been disastrous. being unable to steer the car in traffic could have caused an serious accident.
Steering
Filed Aug 31, 2022IL
For a number of years, since purchasing vehicle new, the "Power Steering Assist Fault" light would come on upon engine startup. The MKT had only about 20,000 miles on it. I had NO POWER STEERING. Per different Lincoln mechanics, the "remedy" was to turn the car off & then restart it to clear light & restore power steering. This worked every time until this past week when after several attempts resulted in still NO POWER STEERING. I was forced to drive for 3 hrs back home with No Power Steering. I've called (2) two different Lincoln dealerships, only to be told this isn't covered under recall R15S18 & would cost approx $3,000 to repair. Why wasn't this VIN# part of the Recall? I called Ford/Lincoln & was told NHTSA decides which vehicle VIN#s are recalled, BUT, when I called NHTSA they told me specific Vehicle VIN# Recalls are designated by the Manf'r. WHAT?? NHTSA told me specific paperwork is on the site stated Manf'r responsibilty on VIN# Recalls. This Steering Problem should be repaired by Lincoln at NO Charge ! As a side note, I have NEVER received a Recall Notice on any item listed on the NHTSA site related to my 2013 Lincoln MKT, nor can I find a copy of a Recall notice specifically for a 2013 Lincoln MKT on the NHTSA website. Even though the 2013 MKT is listed on the actual Ford/Lincoln Recall Notice #, letters are only addressed to other Ford/Lincoln models
Steering
Filed Aug 1, 2022FL
Power Steering Assist light came on on startup, unable to steer car. Lincoln reports steering rack needs to be replaced, and our car is not covered under the existing recall.
Steering
Filed Jun 10, 2022135,000 milesCA
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The contact pulled safely off to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that the steering wheel became locked. The contact turned the vehicle on and off however, the steering wheel remained locked. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
Steering
Filed May 1, 2022CT
Driving at 15mph, steering locked and was very difficult to get out of traffic. power steering assist fault came on AFTER the failing. attempted to restart the car several times , power steering never re-engaged
Steering
Filed Feb 8, 2022132,000 milesPA
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact spoke to a local dealer and was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Feb 10, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.