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Research · Large Cars

2012 Lincoln MKSRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 17 owner complaints for the 2012 Lincoln MKS. Most complaints involve steering (8) and electrical system (4). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–20mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jun 2015
Owner complaints
17
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: electric power assist system

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Jun 2, 2015NHTSA 15V340000

Structure: door

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Jan 28, 2015NHTSA 15V040000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and model year 2013 Explorer vehicles manufactured July 19, 2011, through March 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the fuel tanks may have a marginally sealed seam in the side of the tank. As a result, the fuel tanks may not provide the expected strength in the event of an impact. The tanks may also leak.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Mar 27, 2013NHTSA 13V109000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

17 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2013 – Aug 2026
  1. Steering8
  2. Electrical system4
  3. Fuel system, gasoline2
  4. Power train2
  5. Structure2
  6. Service brakes1
  7. Exterior lighting1
  8. Engine1
  9. Visibility/wiper1

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

By model year

Complaints for each MKS model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200956
201051
201143
201217
2013141
201444
201518
20163
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

8 reports
“I’ve owned my 2012 Lincoln MKS for 3 years. A warning recently appeared saying “Power Steering Assist Fault,” and now the steering is very hard to turn, especially at low speeds. I’ve already paid around $1,800 in the past to fix this issue once, but now I’m experiencing the same or similar problems again. I haven’t had it officially diagnosed this time because both Ford and the dealer told me it wouldn’t be covered, since the recall (15S18) is now expired. This is a serious safety issue. The car is difficult to control and unsafe to drive. I’m a full-time worker and a father of two toddlers, and I’m still making payments on this car that I now can’t safely use — or only for short trips while constantly worrying about steering failure. I just found out about this old recall, and the dealership never told me anything about it when I bought the car used. I strongly believe I’m experiencing the same issue Ford previously recalled these vehicles for, and I’m asking NHTSA to investigate or reopen the recall so it can be repaired before me or my family is seriously injured.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2025Steering, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11678807

Electrical system

4 reports1 crash
“LOUD POPPING AND CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM SPEAKERS EVEN WHEN THE AUDIO IS POWERED OFF. I TRIED TO UPDATE MY SYNC SYSTEM, BUT THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CALL THE MANUFACTURE FOR HELP, BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE 0 ASSISTANCE. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY, MORE IN THE EVENING OR NIGHT TIME. WHILE THE CAR IS BOTH STATIONARY AND IN MOTION.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 6, 2017Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11052821

Fuel system, gasoline

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over the right side of the road and exited the vehicle and became aware of a leak underneath the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V109000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 10, 2026Fuel system, gasolineODI 11755941
All 2012 MKS problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl turbo · 3.5L 6-cyl · 3.7L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive · Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
MKS AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172420$3,100444
MKS FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,100444
MKS AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
162319$3,300468
  • MKS AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • MKS FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • MKS AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Lincoln MKS as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 6646Vehicle 6422
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 MKS questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Lincoln MKS have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Lincoln MKS problems?

Owners filed 17 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (8), electrical system (4), fuel system, gasoline (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Lincoln MKS get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Lincoln MKS at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026