Research · Large Cars

2015 Lincoln MKSRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 18 owner complaints for the 2015 Lincoln MKS. Most complaints involve engine (5) and electrical system (4). 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
3campaigns
Latest Aug 2016
Owner complaints
18
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 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

Fuel system

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured on July 24, 2015. During vehicle production, the fuel tank attachment bolts may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the fuel tank straps may fracture and the fuel tank could separate from the vehicle.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Sep 28, 2015NHTSA 15V605000

Parking brake

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Parking brakeReported Jul 24, 2015NHTSA 15V464000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

18 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2017 – Sep 2026
  1. Engine5
  2. Electrical system4
  3. Power train3
  4. Back over prevention2
  5. Air bags2
  6. Structure2
  7. Fuel/propulsion system2
  8. Steering2
  9. Service brakes1

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
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
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

Engine

5 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH or faster, the vehicle lost automotive power. During the failure the vehicle was coasted over to the side of the road and turned off for one minute before the vehicle restarted and continued driving. The failure was intermittent but had occurred twice within 10 minutes during the most recent failure. An unidentified warning light was illuminated during the failure. The failure occurred mainly while driving on highways or freeways. The rear-view camera intermittently failed to display an image of the rear of the vehicle. The failure had become more persistent over time. During an oil change, it was discovered that the drive axle from the rear to the front of the vehicle was leaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2025Engine, Back over preventionODI 11690252

Electrical system

4 reports1 fire
“LINCOLN IS CURRENTLY RECALLING 2015 CARS FOR REAR CAMERA FAILURES. MINE FAILED ON [XXX]. I AM [XXX] AND USE THE CAMERA FOR BACKING UP AND PARKING. MY MODEL IS NOT IN THE RECALL. I HAD THE REPAIRS DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR $857.00! ON THE REPAIR ORDER IT STATES; "CUSTOMER STATES THAT REAR CAMERA IS UPSIDE DOWN AND HAS NO COLOR AND SCREEN WILL GO BLACK." THIS IS EXACTLY THE REASON FOR THE RECALL #25V695. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY 2015 MKS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL , AND WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS. THANK YOU, [XXX] [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 17, 2025Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11699874

Power train

3 reports
“I have noticed a coolant leak that is the result of a faulty water pump design. To make it worse, the rocket scientists at Ford Motor Company buried the water pump internally in the engine. It is a very expensive repair on what should be a component bolted to the exterior of the engine. There are numerous Class Action Lawsuits against FMC for this matter. I think a recall should be issued or compensation for repairs on what is a very expensive endeavor. My wife drives this car. I am going through the repair process. FMC is known to have hidden the problem. Please issue a recall so people are not burdened by a bad corporate decision. Faulty water pumps can cause engine failure resulting in an accident on the public roadway. Cars should have building codes that forbid these stupid designs. Cars should be designed to be easier to repair with modularity. As a government agency, this is in the public interest to make FMC accountable for their faulty design and issue a recall or compensation for repairs related to this faulty part. MK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 5, 2023Power train, EngineODI 11530492
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$3,100450
  • 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 9288Vehicle 9287
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

2015 MKS questions

How many recalls does the 2015 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 2015 Lincoln MKS problems?

Owners filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (5), electrical system (4), power train (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Lincoln MKS get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Lincoln MKS at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Lincoln MKS?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Lincoln MKS 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026