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Research · Large Cars

2016 Lincoln MKSRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints for the 2016 Lincoln MKS. Most complaints involve electrical system (3) and forward collision avoidance (1). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

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Combined MPG
19–20mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
3
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2016 Lincoln MKS as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

3 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2017 – Jun 2022
  1. Electrical system3
  2. Forward collision avoidance1
  3. Power train1

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
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

3 reports
“AC BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR CONTROL MODULE FAULTY CAUSES FAN TO BE STUCK IN ONE SPEED THEN SYSTEM VARIES UP AND DOWN AND VENTS SMOKE. FORWARD WARNING COMES ON FOR NO REASON?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2022Electrical system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11469158

Forward collision avoidance

1 report

Power train

1 report
“VEHICLE STARTED TO LOOSE POWER. THE "SEE OWNER'S MANUAL" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO A NEARBY DEALER AT: ATCHINSON FORD, BELLEVILLE, MI, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE MECHANISN WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. FE”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2017Power train, Electrical systemODI 11003304
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 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 9, 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
172520$3,100438
MKS AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300462
MKS AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
162419$3,300473
  • MKS FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • MKS AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • MKS AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 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 9, 2026Vehicle 10246Vehicle 10245
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

2016 MKS questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Lincoln MKS have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 9, 2026.

What are the most common 2016 Lincoln MKS problems?

Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (3), forward collision avoidance (1), power train (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Lincoln MKS get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Lincoln MKS at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2016 Lincoln MKS?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Lincoln MKS 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026