Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Lincoln MKT problems

Owners filed 70 complaints about the 2013 Lincoln MKT with NHTSA between Nov 2012 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is steering (32).

Complaints
70
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Engine2
  11. Power train2
  12. Back over prevention1
  13. Seat belts1
  14. Service brakes1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20121
20131
20144
20155
20165
20176
20183
20195
202012
20217
20228
20234
20244
20254
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

32 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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 fire1 related recall
“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

Structure

6 reports1 fire
“B and C pillar trim panels have come loose requiring replacement when they fall off. One completely detached while I was driving on the interstate and was run over by a vehicle behind me.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2025StructureODI 11697365

Suspension

6 reports1 related recall
“Both rear driver and passenger side toe links were replaced at Colonial Ford in Connecticut due to the recall. The driver side is fine, the defective part installed at Colonial Ford is the passenger side. This should be covered by Colonial Ford, as I'm at no fault for the time it took to find this defect which is not apparent until you place the vehicle on a lift and perform a professional inspection. There are no warning lamps or messages to alert the owner there is a defective part that could cause a life threatening accident with a replaced suspension part. Both Lincoln and Colonial Ford state there's nothing they can do because the replacement recall part is out of warranty, 1yr./12,000. I'd driven less than 3,000 miles when the defective replacement was found during a multi-point inspection at a different dealership. Also, the left rear toe link is fine, which proves the problem is with that specific part. Now I'm stuck with a future out of pocket replacement cost and I'm driven around with a recalled part that's more dangerous than the original. NHTSA and Lincoln should hold dealerships accountable when a life or death situation is created with an…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2025SuspensionODI 11677070

Visibility/wiper

4 reports
“Rear camera requires replacement approx. every 3 years Images start getting reversed or upside down, then very grainy and then the camera completely fails altogether. When the camera fails you get a warning stating " Camera is unavailable please contact the dealership" I have put 2 cameras in the vehicle, both were Motorcraft parts purchased at the dealership. When I purchased the vehicle the dealership that sold the car to me indicated they had replaced the camera in July of 2022 with an aftermarket unit that failed on me in November of 2022. These cameras frequently fail, it is widely reported across all Ford/Lincoln vehicles. Edge, Explorer, Flex, MKT, MKX being the most widely spoken about.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2025Visibility/wiper, Back over preventionODI 11697369
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.