Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 Lincoln MKS problems

Owners filed 51 complaints about the 2010 Lincoln MKS with NHTSA between Feb 2010 and Feb 2026. The most-cited component is steering (15).

Complaints
51
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering15
  2. Vehicle speed control10
  3. Engine7
  4. Electrical system6
  5. Air bags5
  6. Service brakes4
  7. Power train3
  8. Structure3
  9. Forward collision avoidance1
  10. Fuel/propulsion system1
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  12. Exterior lighting1
  13. Wheels1
  14. Visibility/wiper1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20106
20110
20122
20134
20146
20154
20163
20178
20183
20194
20202
20214
20223
20231
20240
20250
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

15 reports
“No power steering and Power steering assist failure warning message. Took to dealer, and they said the epas needed to be replaced. Also, that the oem part was no longer available, so they had to use after market part and would not guarantee the labor. 3 months later same problem. There is a recall for 2011-2013 same car with the same problem, but not for 2010. Defective epas system causing the failure. Spoke to Lincoln concierge and Ford concierge and they would not help with a remedy or with dealer support.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 1, 2026SteeringODI 11714754

Vehicle speed control

10 reports4 crashes
“LETTER IN REGARDS TO THE INVESTIGATION OF HYUNDAI KIA BEEN CONDUCTING WHICH WAS IN THE LAS VEGAS JOURNAL ON MAY 21; SEEKING COMMENTS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAUSING A 4 CAR ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT COMPLAINING OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER FOUND A CLASS ACTION SUIT PERTAINING TO THE SAME ISSUE , BUT THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMS NO LIABILITY. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 7, 2017Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10993588

Engine

7 reports
“The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that upon placing her vehicle into park(P), the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot. The engine then failed to restart after the failure. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where she was informed that the water pump was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2022EngineODI 11475091

Electrical system

6 reports1 crash
“The 2011 through 2013 Lincoln MKS were recalled for the electric power steering assist suddenly going out and it is the same on this car and could have gotten someone seriously hurt these need to be added to the recall thanks for looking.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 3, 2022Steering, Electrical systemODI 11482781

Air bags

5 reports1 crash
“There have been 2 separate incidents involving a front collision at high speeds. Both times, the air bags did not deploy as they should have. The 2nd incident was today. The car is now totaled. The impact Both times should have deployed the air bags. My son was injured today due to this. A truck ran a stop sign and we hit him. None of the bags deployed. Speed was 45 mph. The whole front of the car and hood are completely crushed. There were no alarms during or before impact. This is the 2nd wreck.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2023Air bags, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11549383

Service brakes

4 reports2 crashes
“I WAS DRIVING INTO MY GARAGE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN CAR ACCELERATED TO FULL SPEEDC. I APPLIED FULL PRESSURE TO BRAKE. CAR FAILED TO STOP. CAR ONLY STOPED WHEN I PUT SHIFT LEVER IN NEUTERAL AFTER GOING THROUGH REAR WALL OF GARAGE. IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN IN FRONT OF THE CAR THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2015Electrical system, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 10721619
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.