Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Lincoln MKT owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
The steering all of a sudden became impossible to turn the vehicle. I almost had an accident trying to get over to the shoulder. While pulling over on the shoulder the warning signal on the mirror didn't tell me that another car was next to me. These issues could have cost me my life
"power steering assist fault" light comes on and power steering locks up or becomes very difficult to steer. I barely avoided an accident. I had to stop the car in traffic because I couldn't steer the car. I found I could barely steer the car with great effort and was able to drive car to side of road. This very same issue appears to be across many Ford/Lincoln 2010-2013 models. There was a recall for apparently the exact issue in 2015 (included 2011-2013 Lincoln MKT) but not the 2010 which I have. My car is experiencing the exact issue. A quick research online shows that this problem is experienced by many Ford/Lincoln cars sharing the same "electronic power steering assist" system. This is a very serious and dangerous issue! The steering of the car itself become locked and nearly inoperable while driving. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway, the power steering failed and steering wheel locked. The vehicle was turned off and restarted several times before returning to normal operation. The power steering assist warning light illuminated after the vehicle was re-started and the steering remained in the locked position. The contact again attempted to turn off and restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. Gervais Lincoln, inc (24 reiss ave, lowell, ma 01851, [phone]) was contacted and the contact was informed that the VIN was not subjected to a recall. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that the EPS warning indicator flashed regarding a power steering assist failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering); however, the 2011 models were included. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same failure as the recall campaign. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. Cannon Ford-Lincoln of starkville (12249 ms-182, starkville, ms 39759, [phone]) was contacted and a diagnostic appointment was scheduled for July 16, 2019. An independent mechanic diagnosed that there was a power steering electrical unit failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, when the power steering assist warning light was illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated he was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to local dealer mall of georgia Ford located at 4525 nelson brogdon blvd, buford, ga 30518, [phone], where it was diagnosed with needing steering module to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. Upon infestation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering), however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that the service power steering indicator illuminated while driving approximately 30 MPH. The contact was able to park the vehicle at a safe location. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact spoke with franklin park Lincoln inc. (5272 monroe street, toledo, ohio 43623, [phone]) and was advised to have the vehicle towed to have diagnostic testing performed. The vehicle was not towed to the dealer. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in any open recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 102,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKT. While driving, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to manuever. The service power steering indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to morristown Ford Lincoln (1112 w morris blvd, morristown, tn 37813, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the steering gear assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.
Sudden loss of steering assist. Messages appeared to "service advancetrack" and "service steering". Two incidences within 3 days. Both times the vehicle was in motion, once on an exit ramp and once on a state highway. Near loss of control due to the extremely difficult manual steering mode that resulted. Very unnerving and dangerous to suddenly lose steering while on the highway. Fortunately I was strong enough to maintain vehicle control. My wife May not have been so fortunate.
Steering complaints in other MKT years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2010 Lincoln MKT?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the steering of the 2010 Lincoln MKT, 43% of the model year's 65 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Lincoln MKT steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2010 Lincoln MKT. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Lincoln MKT steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 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.