Lincoln MKS Problems by Year

We compared every Lincoln MKS model year from 2009–2015 using 371 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 11 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2013 and 2009, which drew far more complaints than other MKS years at the same age. The best years are 2012, 2015 and 2011.

7model years
371complaints
11recalls
2013, 2009worst years
2012, 2015best years

Complaints by model year

2009201020112012201320142015565143171424418
Owner complaints per model year, Lincoln MKS. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
201518−66%3EngineGood
2014441.2×2SteeringAverage
20131423.1×7SteeringAvoid
201217−74%3SteeringGood
201143−29%3SteeringAverage
2010511.2×—SteeringAverage
2009561.5×1BrakeCaution

* Complaints compared with the median MKS year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Lincoln MKS problems

  • Steeringworst: 2013
    12133%
  • Engine & coolingworst: 2013
    5214%
  • Electrical systemworst: 2013
    5214%
  • Fuel & propulsion systemworst: 2013
    3810%
  • Brakesworst: 2009
    349%
  • Other / not specified
    277%
  • Speed control & accelerationworst: 2010
    246%
  • Transmission & drivetrainworst: 2013
    236%
  • Air bagsworst: 2009
    205%
  • Body & structureworst: 2009
    175%
  • Driver assistanceworst: 2013
    154%
  • Lightsworst: 2013
    113%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroofworst: 2013
    92%
  • Suspensionworst: 2013
    92%
  • Seatsworst: 2009
    82%
  • Equipment & accessoriesworst: 2009
    51%
  • Stability & traction controlworst: 2010
    51%
  • Wheels & tiresworst: 2013
    51%
  • Locks & latchesworst: 2009
    41%
  • A/C & heaterworst: 2013
    31%

Latest Lincoln MKS recalls

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 16V-621 · Aug 25, 2016 · 77,502 vehicles

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.

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.

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 16V-247 · Apr 26, 2016 · 695 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016.

Fuel system, gasoline

NHTSA recall 15V-812 · Dec 2, 2015 · 868 vehicles

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.

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.

Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting

NHTSA recall 15V-605 · Sep 28, 2015 · 203 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured on July 24, 2015. During vehicle production, the fuel tank attachment bolts may not have been properly tightened.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the fuel tank attachment bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Parking brake

NHTSA recall 15V-464 · Jul 24, 2015 · 7,165 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the operation of the parking brake system, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015.

All 11 Lincoln MKS recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Lincoln MKS should you avoid?

2013 and 2009 — these years have the most complaints relative to other MKS years at the same age, led by steering problems in the 2013.

What is the best year for the Lincoln MKS?

2012 has the fewest complaints compared with other MKS years at the same age, followed by 2015 and 2011. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Lincoln MKS problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the steering (121), engine & cooling (52) and electrical system (52). Steering complaints peak in the 2013 model year.

How many recalls has the Lincoln MKS had?

11 recalls across 2009–2015. The model year with the most is 2013. See all Lincoln MKS recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.