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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2012 Lincoln MKTRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 28 owner complaints for the 2012 Lincoln MKT. Most complaints involve steering (20) and electrical system (3). The EPA rates it 18–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–20mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jun 2015
Owner complaints
28
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: electric power assist system

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.

SteeringReported Jun 2, 2015NHTSA 15V340000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

28 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2012 – Oct 2026
  1. Steering20
  2. Electrical system3
  3. Engine2
  4. Power train2
  5. Structure2
  6. Engine and engine cooling1
  7. Fuel/propulsion system1
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  9. Other / unknown2

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 MKT model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201065
201119
201228
201370
201454
201524
20169
20174
20187
201918
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

20 reports
“My 33,000 miles 2012 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost previously received a software-only update for Federal Safety Recall 15S18 (NHTSA Campaign 15V340). The Power Steering Assist Fault dash light has shown up on a trip out of town making it now completely unable to drive safely on the street. We took it to an independent mechanic who determined various codes of U3000, and UO428. The software update failed to protect the vehicle's electronic power steering system. The steering gear has now suffered a total internal electronic failure at only 33,000 miles, completely disabling the power steering. The vehicle is actively throwing hard internal fault codes U3000 and U0428 congruent to the recall. Ford's safety recall remedy was completely ineffective, creating a severe, immediate low-speed crash hazard.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026Steering, Electrical systemODI 11772672

Electrical system

3 reports
“STEERING COLUMN MOTOR GRINDS AND CLICKS WHEN EXTENDING AND RETRACTING. THIS OCCURS WHEN STARTING AND TURNING OFF THE CAR. STEERING WHEEL CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. IT WON'T EXTEND FULLY, OR MOVE UP AND DOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 25, 2019Steering, Electrical systemODI 11172181

Engine

2 reports
“MY 2012 LINCOLN MKT WITH THE 3.5L TWIN TURBO V6 ECOBOOST ENGINE IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PUMP AS THE 2013-2015 MKT MODELS THAT WERE PART OF RECALL CAMPAIGN #16S31. MY CAR WAS ALSO MANUFACTURED AT THE SAME OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY AND WITHIN THE DATES SPECIFIED. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE CAR STALLED AND THEN STOPPED SUDDENLY STOP AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. THERE WERE NO ALERTS OR INDICATORS ON THE DASH. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON, THE DASH LIT UP BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THERE WAS A LOT OF OIL UNDER THE CAR WHICH APPEARED TO SPILL OUT WHEN THE FUEL PUMP OVERHEATED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. I AM NOW BEING TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND TURBO CHARGERS. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR 7 MONTHS AND HAVE DRIVEN IT ONLY 7500 MILES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CAR HAD 2 FULL SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGES DURING THIS TIME. HOWEVER, THE LINCOLN MECHANIC TOLD MY WARRANTY COMPANY THAT THE ENGINE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO "OIL STARVATION" WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY INCORRECT. THE LACK OF OIL WAS DUE TO THE SPILLAGE AT THE TIME OF THE FUEL PUMP/ENGINE OVERHEATING. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN BECAUSE THERE WERE NO ALERTS ON…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2020Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11315363
All 2012 MKT problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.5L 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 Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
MKT FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,200444
MKT AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
  • MKT FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • MKT AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Lincoln MKT as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 6649Vehicle 6429
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

2012 MKT questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Lincoln MKT have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 30, 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 2012 Lincoln MKT problems?

Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (20), electrical system (3), engine (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Lincoln MKT get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Lincoln MKT at 18–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026