Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Lincoln MKT owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the power steering assist and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact immediately felt the vehicle lose power steering assist, and the contact and pulled over. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle to reset the power steering functionality. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the power steering assist and rack and pinion and steering gear needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic referred the contact to a dealer; however, vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 207,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while exiting out of a parking spot, the steering wheel locked up and would not turn. The power steering fault warning light was illuminated. The contact shifted the vehicle into PARK and restarted the vehicle for the power steering functionality to return. The contact called a local dealer and was informed that the failure might be related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact was informed that there would be an out-of-pocket cost to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering wheel was seized. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact researched online and discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was seized. The driver restarted the vehicle and the steering functionality returned and operated as designed. The electronic power steering fault message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic signal, the light changed, and the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the contact attempted to turn the steering wheel and the steering wheel was firm. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed and determined that the steering rack and pinion gears needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The contact pulled safely off to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that the steering wheel became locked. The contact turned the vehicle on and off however, the steering wheel remained locked. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving 5 mph, the power steering failed, making the vehicle difficult to steer. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer and diagnosed with the power steering needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that the Vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 99,286.
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact spoke to a local dealer and was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to drive out of a parking space, the power steering fault message was displayed on the instrument panel. The steering became difficult to operate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
For a number of years, since purchasing vehicle new, the "Power Steering Assist Fault" light would come on upon engine startup. The MKT had only about 20,000 miles on it. I had NO POWER STEERING. Per different Lincoln mechanics, the "remedy" was to turn the car off & then restart it to clear light & restore power steering. This worked every time until this past week when after several attempts resulted in still NO POWER STEERING. I was forced to drive for 3 hrs back home with No Power Steering. I've called (2) two different Lincoln dealerships, only to be told this isn't covered under recall R15S18 & would cost approx $3,000 to repair. Why wasn't this VIN# part of the Recall? I called Ford/Lincoln & was told NHTSA decides which vehicle VIN#s are recalled, BUT, when I called NHTSA they told me specific Vehicle VIN# Recalls are designated by the Manf'r. WHAT?? …
Related recalls
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…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC).
Steering complaints in other MKT years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2013 Lincoln MKT?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Lincoln MKT, 46% of the model year's 70 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Lincoln MKT steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-340 (electric power assist system, Jun 2, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Lincoln MKT steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 111,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.