Most common 2010 Lincoln MKT problems
Share of the 65 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lincoln MKT complaints by model year
Best MKT years: 2017, 2016, 2018. Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2010. Compare all years →
What 2010 Lincoln MKT owners say
Steering all 28 →
I was driving home from work thru a construction area and all of a sudden my power steering/collision warning came on and the signal with the slippery tire car symbol. My power steering went out i almost hit a concrete wall but was able to steer car in development off main road Power steering out and will not operate. Says no recalls on 2010 but online same issue with 2012 and has recall im lucky i was seriously hurt or killed. Shooken up in Florida
I was driving the car and the power steering went completely out without warning and almost caused a serious collison. After researching the car I found that there were multile issues with the power steering modules on these vehicles, this car needs to be repaired by the manufacturer, this is a defect.
Engine & cooling
Ipulled into my drive way and my car died out no over heating no warning light no anything. I looked under my hood to check everything and noticed my coolant was gone I then poured more into it realizing that it was all going out of my car I but not onto the ground. I called an mechanic who told me my coolant leaked into my oil my water pump failed. It failed internal to the timing chain cover and dumped a large amount of coolant into the crankcase which then contaminated the engine oil and over filled the oil pan. Im glad that I was home and not driving down the street because this could have caused a major accident. On further research I have found this has occurred many times. …
Over the last 2 weeks, my Lincoln MKT has experienced several episodes of shuddering and loss of power. In addition, a significant amount of smoke has been spewing out of the tail pipes occasionally - this usually happens for several seconds after the vehicle is started. I first noticed the shuddering while driving along the highway. The next day, there was a significant loss of power while driving. The dealer diagnosed it and said it is a turbo underboost problem that can be remedied by replacing the turbos. Due to the significant cost of replacement, they suggest that I consider replacing the vehicle, as some of their customers do. This tells me we have a known issue! A turbo problem on a vehicle with under 100,000 miles? Sounds like a major defect that the manufacturer should be aware of.
Transmission & drivetrain
There is an apparent transmission issue and, according to my research, it is somewhat common with this model vehicle. There is an intermittent problem with shift delay and/or "jumping" during acceleration from first gear. Often happens at stopped position at light and is dangerous if turning in front of oncoming traffic. I was hoping for a recall on this issue, but guess I'll have to take it to a repair shop at my expense. As for any warning lights.... about a month ago, the check engine light came on while we were traveling, but went away on its own by the time we got home a couple days later, so don't know if it is related or not? Below ask when "incident"occurred, but it has happened multiple times so I will just list first approximate date.
I have a 2010 Lincoln MKT and I have been having trouble with the power steering. It randomly stops working and it difficult to steer the car. I almost hit a mailbox today because the steering became so stiff and the alert came up on my dash. There is a recall for the 2011 and 2012 models but the NHTSA recall should include the 2010 models as well. I have children and this is a huge safety hazard! I won't even be able to resell the car in this condition as it is random. Please consider looking into this issue promptly as I can see there have been other complaints and my situation is not unique. I pray to god I don't get in an accident because I don't have any other options for transportation and will try to avoid using the interstate in meantime. Thank you for your time! Please update me at [[redacted] or [redacted].
2010 Lincoln MKT engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Lincoln MKT a good car?
Based on 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 MKT rates avoid: 2.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the MKT at the same age. It is one of the MKT years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Lincoln MKT?
The steering — 28 complaints, 43% of all complaints for this model year, most often about linkages › tie rod assembly. Next are the engine & cooling (12) and transmission & drivetrain (8).
How many recalls does the 2010 Lincoln MKT have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2010 Lincoln MKT. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lincoln MKT?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2016 and 2018. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2014 and 2010. See the full Lincoln MKT years comparison.
At what mileage do 2010 Lincoln MKT problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 77,000 miles; 31% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.