Research · Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD

2013 Lincoln MKTRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 70 owner complaints for the 2013 Lincoln MKT. Most complaints involve steering (32) and fuel/propulsion system (9). The EPA rates it 18–23 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18–23mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Feb 2020
Owner complaints
70
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

SuspensionReported Feb 10, 2020NHTSA 20V072000

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, gasoline

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Dec 2, 2015NHTSA 15V812000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

70 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2012 – Sep 2026
  1. Steering32
  2. Fuel/propulsion system9
  3. Electrical system7
  4. Structure6
  5. Suspension6
  6. Visibility/wiper4
  7. Exterior lighting4
  8. Fuel system, gasoline3
  9. Lane departure2

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
1
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

32 reports1 crash
“The electronic power steering motor has quit working. This is a $1,000 part to be replaced. Almost every other Ford\Lincoln vehicles have had this part recalled. Eventhough Ford knows this part will fail, they failed to include all vehicles with this terrible piece of equipment. It has caused me to lose my pilot car business,due to the cost of replacement.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2026SteeringODI 11767865

Fuel/propulsion system

9 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION ONCE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V621000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND WAS TAKEN TO JACK KEY FORD LINCOLN LOCATED AT (1512 E PINE ST, DEMING, NM 88030) TO BE REPAIRED. TWO YEARS LATER WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 75 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO HATCH FORD 1235 US-180, SILVER CITY, NM 88061. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED THE ONETIME FREE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 6, 2020Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11316530

Electrical system

7 reports1 fire
“I applied my hazards when pulling over and once it was safe to resume, I went to turn off my hazards and they would not turn off. I tried shutting off the vehicle and restarting but nothing was clearing it. The button was not stuck either. After about 20 mins of driving with the hazards, I tried the button again and the hazards shut off. I believe there is an issue with the front control panel.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 20, 2023Electrical systemODI 11555955
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.7L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Automatic 6-spd
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 28, 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 Livery FWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$2,800384
MKT FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,200446
MKT Livery AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400462
MKT AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550481
  • MKT Livery FWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • MKT FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • MKT Livery AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • MKT AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 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 2013 Lincoln MKT as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 7027Vehicle 7026
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

2013 MKT questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Lincoln MKT have?

7 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 2013 Lincoln MKT problems?

Owners filed 70 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (32), fuel/propulsion system (9), electrical system (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Lincoln MKT get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Lincoln MKT at 18–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026