2013 Lincoln MKS problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 79 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Lincoln MKS, most often about steering. There are 7 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 79
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 3
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Median mileage
- 87,500 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Steering is the most-reported problem area, named in 43 of 79 complaints (54%).
- Electrical System (16) and fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion (7) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 87,500 mi.
- Owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries.
- The 2013 Lincoln MKS has 7 recalls on file.
- It has the most serious complaint record of all 8 Lincoln MKS model years we track.
- That is 690% more complaints than the 2012 model year (10).
2013 Lincoln MKS problems by category
- Steering · 2 crashes43 complaints
- Electrical System16 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion7 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain7 complaints
- Engine7 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech6 complaints
- Other / Unknown5 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers3 complaints
- Suspension · 1 crash2 complaints
- Lighting2 complaints
- Body & Structure1 complaints
- Wheels & Tires1 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts1 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Steering | 39 |
| Electrical system | 16 |
| Power train | 7 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Lane departure: assist | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 |
| Steering:electric power assist system | 4 |
| Unknown or other | 4 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2013 Lincoln MKS recalls (7)
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
Risk: A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.
- STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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.
Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.
- STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
Risk: If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S02.
- POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.
Risk: If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured November 29, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, with sufficient door openings and closings, the child safety locks may change from an activated position to a deactivated position without notice.
Risk: If the child lock is deactivated, the door could be unlocked and opened from the inside which could lead to personal injury to an unrestrained child.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the safety locks. If necessary, the locks will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Ford's recall number is 13S07. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.
Recent 2013 Lincoln MKS complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Aug 13, 2026NYSteering
While driving home in the center lane on the XXX[XXX] Parkway, my steering wheel locked suddenly, preventing me from turning left or right. As I used my full strength to turn right against the tightness of the steering wheel, trying to get off at the next possible exit, the power to the steering wheel abruptly returned, causing me to swerve out of control, past the right lane, onto the shoulder and into the grassy roadside area. The vehicle didn't suffer any bodily damages.…
NHTSA complaint #11756815 · source - Filed Nov 7, 2025OHDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
Rear camera backup camera fails to show, says to contact dealership and does not display image although camera is properly intact.
NHTSA complaint #11698103 · source - Filed Oct 21, 2025TXOther / Unknown
Recall Notice: NHTSA 25V270 My Lincoln MKC VIN# [XXX] has a recall 25V270. I also have a 2013 Lincoln MKS Vin # [XXX] with no recall BUT which has the issues with the rear view camera it intermittently displays a blank and image is upside down and some times it will be normal. Should it be considered a recall due to the image may reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Which is stated on the **** IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL****…
NHTSA complaint #11694728 · source - Filed Sep 15, 2025NEEngine
Water pump failure or malfunctioned causing the engine to over heat and then to engine stall going 75 mph. After having it towed it was determined the water pump was leaking. It put myself and others at risk of an accident. The water pump sits directly in the center of the engine so it can’t be inspected so easily and only option is to just replace. The water pump was confirmed by a licensed Lincoln Certified Dealer and failed at 69,639 miles. Many others have reported…
NHTSA complaint #11687372 · source - Filed Sep 9, 2025MIOther / Unknown
rear-view camera issue causing inverted, distorted, or blank image. I paid to replace the camera when I purchased the used vehicle. The replacement rear view camera installed at the dealership has the same issue. I would like this rear view camera to be part of the recall ongoing for rear cameras as apparently the replacement parts have the same issue. This rear view camera was replaced and continues to fail on my 2013 Lincoln MKS.
NHTSA complaint #11685860 · source - Filed Aug 8, 2025VASteering
The Lincoln was parked. When I started the car, the steering wheel would not move at all to the right or left. Simultaneously, the warning appeared that said, Power steering fault. The car was towed to the dealership. They diagnosed the car and fixed the software and replaced the steering module. Apparently, there was a recall on Lincoln MKS vehicles in 2015. I did not own the car at that time. The dealership service person said there was no recall on the VIN for this car.…
NHTSA complaint #11679333 · source - Filed Jul 2, 2025112,000 miNMEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while reversing, there was a huge blast of white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for routine maintenance and was diagnosed and determined that the water pump was leaking, the turbo charger was losing power, the power transfer unit was overheating, and the water pump was overheating. The water pump was repaired. The manufacturer…
NHTSA complaint #11670829 · source - Filed Apr 8, 2025MIOther / Unknown
REAR CAMERA ON 2013MY LINCOLN MKS has been replaced and the replacment continues to fail. The camera either does not work producing no image, the image is upside down, or the image is grainy. The original camera failed and I replaced it and the replacement is failing the same way. I have spent over $1000 replacing this rear camera. It seems the new camera installed is the same one getting recalled on new vehicles and I believe my rear camera should be part of this recall…
NHTSA complaint #11653415 · source
Compare the 2013 Lincoln MKS with another vehicle →
Other 2013 Lincoln models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology