Research · Large Cars

2014 Lincoln MKSRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 44 owner complaints for the 2014 Lincoln MKS. Most complaints involve steering (12) and electrical system (7). The EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
20–22mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Aug 2016
Owner complaints
44
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Aug 25, 2016NHTSA 16V621000

Power train: axle shaft

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Jul 2, 2014NHTSA 14V393000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

44 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2014 – Aug 2026
  1. Steering12
  2. Electrical system7
  3. Fuel/propulsion system6
  4. Engine4
  5. Fuel system, gasoline4
  6. Back over prevention3
  7. Exterior lighting2
  8. Vehicle speed control2
  9. Power train2

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

12 reports1 crash
“Electrical problem continues to happen. I was trying to unlock the car. It would unlock and lock , windows roll down, sunroof open and all windows roll down without my help. Radio will turn all the way up. I placed a fixd in the car. Repairs started flashing low battery, sensor with steering, seat belts, and airbags. This has happen several times. I went to a shop. They told me I had a recall. I went to a dealer, they said I did not. I am confused and afraid to drive my car at times. Because this has happened when I am driving to.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2025Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11683776

Electrical system

7 reports
“The FCIM failed in the 98 degree heat. No warnings or indication that it failed other than the fans just started blowing full blast and full heat on a hot summer day. This alone distracted me and pulled my attention from the road as I started to feel sick with how hot it was getting and was frantically trying to turn the temperature down on the screen to no avail, because when the FCIM goes out you lose all control of the heat or ac and literally cannot shut off the heat. I then pulled over after almost getting in an accident trying to shut off the heat and went to turn on my hazard lights. Well with the FCIM going out my hazards wouldn't work either. When the FCIM isn't going out it constantly beeps and turns my temperature as far down as it will go, even when it is -20 in minnesota. Again a hazard as it can frost up my windshield in seconds making it so I can't see. All of this wouldn't be an issue if they still made the parts and there was something I could do to fix it, but they stopped selling these parts about 8 years ago.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2026Electrical systemODI 11754672

Fuel/propulsion system

6 reports
“Vehicle turned off while driving. Luckily, I was driving in a parking lot when it happened, therefore, I was not at a high volume of speed. The issue has been confirmed by a dealer. No inspection by manufacturer or others has been conducted. No warning lamps or other messages were noted prior to failure. Issues have been ongoing for about 2 months now.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 28, 2024Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11597579
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
3.7L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-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 FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$2,850402
MKS AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
182621$2,950425
MKS AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172520$3,100446
  • MKS FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • MKS AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • MKS AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
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
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Lincoln MKS 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.3%
Overall
5 / 5
Lincoln MKS 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 8271Vehicle 8270
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

2014 MKS questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Lincoln MKS have?

2 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 2014 Lincoln MKS problems?

Owners filed 44 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (12), electrical system (7), fuel/propulsion system (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Lincoln MKS get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Lincoln MKS at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 Lincoln MKS?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Lincoln MKS 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026