Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 Lincoln MKS problems
Owners filed 17 complaints about the 2012 Lincoln MKS with NHTSA between Sep 2013 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is steering (8).
Complaints
17
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering8
- Electrical system4
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Power train2
- Structure2
- Service brakes1
- Exterior lighting1
- Engine1
- Visibility/wiper1
- Other / unknown4
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 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
0
2
0
1
1
2
1
0
0
3
2
3
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Steering
8 reports1 related recall
“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.”
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.”
Fuel system, gasoline
2 reports1 related recall
“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.”
Power train
2 reports
“DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND OUT OF NOWHERE THE TEMP GAUGE SPIKES TO HOT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR SMELLED VERY STRONGLY OF COOLANT. AFTER GETTING THE CAR HOME AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I DETERMINED THAT THE INTERNAL WATER PUMP FAILED. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE DURETEC ENGINES. NO WARNING FROM THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE CAR. THERE IS CURRENTLY A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE. A RECALL ON THIS PART NEEDS TO HAPPEN.”
Structure
2 reports1 crash1 related recall
“OUTSIDE TEMP 27 F. OPENED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND IT WOULD NOT STAY SHUT. HAD TO USE ROPE TO TIE PASSENGER DOOR TO REAR DOOR BEHIND DRIVER TO KEEP IT SHUT SO I COULD GO TO EYE DOCTOR, A THREE HOUR DRIVE AWAY. AS TEMPERATURE HAS RISEN, IT SEEMS TO BE LATCHING TO STAY SHUT NOW, BUT I DO NOT TRUST IT.”
Service brakes
1 report
“I heard on the news that there is a recall on the brake hose and I am always putting brake fluid in i just put some in 03/27/2023 but when I put my vin # in nothing comes up for a recall I have a 2012 lincoln mks awd”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.