Problems · NHTSA complaints
2013 Lincoln MKS problems
Owners filed 141 complaints about the 2013 Lincoln MKS with NHTSA between Aug 2012 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is steering (60).
Complaints
141
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
18
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering60
- Electrical system25
- Engine22
- Fuel/propulsion system12
- Power train9
- Visibility4
- Lane departure4
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Seats4
- Exterior lighting4
- Equipment3
- Suspension3
- Structure3
- Engine and engine cooling2
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
9
3
4
10
7
10
19
11
23
8
14
9
11
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 19 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 23 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 2 |
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
60 reports2 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“While driving home in the center lane on the XXX[XXX] Parkway, my steering wheel locked suddenly, preventing me from turning left or right. As I used my full strength to turn right against the tightness of the steering wheel, trying to get off at the next possible exit, the power to the steering wheel abruptly returned, causing me to swerve out of control, past the right lane, onto the shoulder and into the grassy roadside area. The vehicle didn't suffer any bodily damages. I struggled mightily with the steering but was able to drive home safely and park it. The next morning, I took the car to a mechanic, who after checking the power steering, informed me that the E.P.A.S. motor sensor at fault and that there's an active service recall on vehicles fitting the year, make, and model of my car. I called Lincoln of Queens Center, and was told that my vehicle was not on the list for recalls. This was after I provided them with my VIN number. The customer service representative couldn't give a valid or specific reason why my VIN number was excluded from the list, except to say, "that's the way it's always been, I don't make the policies." In search for a better…”
Electrical system
25 reports1 fire
“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.”
Engine
22 reports2 fires
“Water pump failure or malfunctioned causing the engine to over heat and then to engine stall going 75 mph. After having it towed it was determined the water pump was leaking. It put myself and others at risk of an accident. The water pump sits directly in the center of the engine so it can’t be inspected so easily and only option is to just replace. The water pump was confirmed by a licensed Lincoln Certified Dealer and failed at 69,639 miles. Many others have reported having this same issue. There was a warning signal that flashed as the engine reach an overheating temp, but there were none prior the incident .”
Fuel/propulsion system
12 reports1 fire
“For some 4 years now our car has gone into a limp mode while being driven at highway speeds, over bridges, and along dark roadways. The check engine wrench lights up when the car goes into this mode. Unannounced, the sudden and immediate slowing of the car leaves it unsafe to driver, passengers, and others on the road who find themselves behind a fast moving car that suddenly and without notice drastically slows down on its own. It is an uncontrollable unsafe and hazardous creeping condition. The car restarts and drives after being placed in park and shut down. The car then drives normally until the next limp situation. Once the car is turned off and restarted however the check engine wrench clears from display screen, and the code itself clears from the pcm. This has made the intermittent events impossible to catch upon being diagnosed by the dealer. We finally had to drive with our code diagnostic device to try and catch the problem as and when it suddenly arose in traffic. Last week the problem occurred again. We were able to get to the side of the highway and plug in the diagnostic device and pull a single code; DTC P2111. Upon researching the code we found…”
Power train
9 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while reversing, there was a huge blast of white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for routine maintenance and was diagnosed and determined that the water pump was leaking, the turbo charger was losing power, the power transfer unit was overheating, and the water pump was overheating. The water pump was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.”
Visibility
4 reports
“The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the defroster setting malfunctioned, and the contact was unable to defrost and clear the windows, creating a visibility hazard. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 157,000.”
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.