Lincoln MKS Steering Problems

Steering complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Electric power assist system
  5
• Steering control module
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  68%
• 25k–50k
  810%
• 50k–75k
  1215%
• 75k–100k
  1823%
• 100k–150k
  2329%
• 150k+
  1114%

What owners report

I was driving down the street when all of a sudden my Lincoln beeps at me. it says "Service Advancetrac" and "Steering Assist Fault". I lost all steering to my car and it swerved across four lanes of oncoming traffic until I crashed into a curb. This car almost killed me and multiple other people. The car has 79k miles on it. This should not be happening. There is a recall on 2012-2013 MKS models but not a 2014. There is very clearly something wrong with this system across MULTIPLE years. I cannot steer the car manually without straining myself. The electronic power steering has problems across EVERY YEAR. not just 2013!

The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering failed, and the steering wheel was stiff and difficult to turn. The failure almost caused a collision. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed that the steering gear, front lower control arm, rear toe link and rear upper control arm were faulty and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired and towed back to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was 81,049.

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was restarted and driven without further failure. Additionally, the contact stated that recently after the vehicle was started, the power steering assists failure warning light illuminated. The contact checked the power steering fluid level, and the level was sufficient. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact researched and discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V621000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 15V34000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not included in the recalls. …

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 40 MPH, the steering wheel locked up, almost causing her to lose control of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's wife slammed on the brakes and veered to the side of the road. The contact's wife wiggled the steering wheel and was able to continue driving. However, the failure reoccurred while driving at 65 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was it was diagnosed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the failure was associated with a recall and referred the contact to the dealer. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while attempting to drive out of a parking space, the message "Power Assist Failure" was displayed, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) needed to be reprogrammed, and the steering rack needed to be replaced. The mechanic related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 15N01. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the same assessment was made. The dealer ordered the part for the repair; however, the manufacturer's warranty department denied the claim for the repair after several attempts. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle jerked and lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after several minutes the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the lower control arms and bushing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the lower control arms and bushing did not need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) and referred the contact to the NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 104,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. The contact's daughter was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, and after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the power steering control module and gear. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 94,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while reversing into a parking space, the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was later restarted, and the traction control and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle then experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the steering gear had failed and that the steering rack needed to be replaced; however, the steering rack was no longer manufactured so the vehicle required an aftermarket steering rack. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 212,000.

Related recalls (1)