Home · 2013 Lincoln Mks · Complaints

What 140 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Lincoln Mks

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (140)Crash / fire / injury (19)Steering (59)Electrical system (25)Engine (22)Fuel system (16)Transmission & drivetrain (9)Visibility & wipers (6)Lane Departure (4)Lights (4)Seats (4)Body & structure (3)

Newest first · 140 complaints · page 3 of 6

Aug 16, 2021Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlFuel system

For some 4 years now our car has gone into a limp mode while being driven at highway speeds, over bridges, and along dark roadways. The check engine wrench lights up when the car goes into this mode. Unannounced, the sudden and immediate slowing of the car leaves it unsafe to driver, passengers, and others on the road who find themselves behind a fast moving car that suddenly and without notice drastically slows down on its own. It is an uncontrollable unsafe and hazardous creeping condition. The car restarts and drives after being placed in park and shut down. The car then drives normally until the next limp situation. Once the car is turned off and restarted however the check engine wrench clears from display screen, and the code itself clears from the pcm. This has made the intermittent events impossible to catch upon being diagnosed by the dealer. We finally had to drive with our code diagnostic device to try and catch the problem as and when it suddenly arose in traffic. Last week the problem occurred again. We were able to get to the side of the highway and plug in the diagnostic device and pull a single code; DTC P2111. Upon researching the code we found that this unsafe problem as been known to Ford for sometime, but we were not in that group of owners who were sent letters explaining the extended warranty program put into place to correct this situation. That Customer Satisfaction Program, 13N03, extended the warranty period to 10 yrs from in-service and 1500 miles. Our vehicle, a 2013 Lincoln Mks with 110800 mis., is clearly is being affected by the throttle stuck open/closed defect (P2111), and, clearly falls within the extended warranty coverage period. We have tried to get Ford to handle our P2111 Code problem as it has corrected others it acknowledged and repaired, but Ford declined. Ford told us that since NHTSA had not assigned coverage to our VIN#, so it cannot come under the program. We are asking that our car be placed in the program and repaired.

NHTSA ODI 11429278

Jul 27, 2021Steering

Issue: Power Steering INOP U3000-49 Control Module Failure Pro Date 5/2012. Steering wheel locked making it difficult to turn wheel and drive car safely. Problem was confirmed by 2 Mechanics, one being the Dealership- Chapman Ford Lincoln. A Warning lamp came on: Power Steering Assist Fault.

NHTSA ODI 11426603

Jul 22, 2021Steering

My power steering suddenly went out with message “power steering assist fault” and “service AdvanceTrac.”

NHTSA ODI 11426045

Jul 21, 2021Steering

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering assist fault warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The contact called an independent mechanic and the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

NHTSA ODI 11425766

Jul 19, 2021SteeringSuspension

lost complete control of my steering on my car can not drive it i had to havve the car towed to hoffman linclon ford in East Hartford Ct i have repair estimate from them i the amount of 3309,11 hear is a break down of the repairs (Primary)steering-steering $140.00 power steering control module:power rack and pinion,both outer tie rod ends $2808.79 alignment check alignment $129.00 total before taxes $3078.74 shop charges $34.87 ct taxes $195.50 i call linclon and they said that the car was not covered on the recall the car has less then70,000 thousand miles on it

NHTSA ODI 11425390

Jun 28, 2021Steering

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the power steering failed, and the steering wheel was difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the vehicle was put into reverse then turned off the vehicle numerous times before the power steering functionality returned. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 78,743.

NHTSA ODI 11422601

Jun 16, 2021Steering

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel ceased. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off, restarted, and driven to his destination. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was diagnosed with needing the power steering gear and steering gear assembly to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The contact attempted to call manufacturer however, there was no response. The failure mileage was 157,630.

NHTSA ODI 11421205

May 13, 2021Electrical system

THE POWER JUST COMES ON ON MY CLIMATE CONTROL AND THE TEMPERATURE STARTS TO GO ALL THE WAY UP, AND WHEN YOU TRY TO TURN IT OFF IT COMES BACK ON AND IF YOU TRY TO TURN IT DOWN IT GOES BACK UP IT HAPPENS WHEN MY VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY, IT DOES THAT FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND STOP THEN IT STARTS DOING IT AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPEN WAS 03/12/2021 BUT IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERYDAY.

NHTSA ODI 11416499

Mar 7, 2021Electrical system

MY VEHICLE'S INTERIOR TEMPERATURE WILL AUTOMATICALLY INCREASE TO ITS MAXIMUM SETTING VERY QUICKLY. I NOTICED THAT IT'S DUE TO THE TOUCH SENSITIVITY OF THE TOUCH PANEL, WHICH CONTROLS THE VEHICLE'S AIR CONDITIONING, HEAT, MUSIC CONTROLS, AND MORE. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH BECAUSE OF DRIVER DISCOMFORT AND HAVING TO WARM UP THE TOUCH PANEL WITH MY HANDS, IN ORDER TO ALLOW IT TO STOP CHANGING BY ITSELF. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY AND IS VERY CONCERNING. AREAS OF THE TOUCH PANEL ARE UNRESPONSIVE AS WELL. I NOTICED THIS SOON AFTER MY VEHICLE RECIEVED AN OVER-THE-AIR UPDATE (A FEW MONTHS AGO). THIS OCCURRED JUST AFTER MY VEHICLE REACHED THE 100K MILE MARK WHICH WAS THE WARRANTY LIMIT ON THE COMPONENT. MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 111,900 MILES ON ITS ODOMETER.

NHTSA ODI 11399662

Feb 26, 2021SteeringCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20-25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE WENT ACROSS THE ROAD AND HIT A MAILBOX THEN A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND CAUSED A CHIN ABRASION, NOSEBLEED, CHEST AND RIB PAIN TO THE CONTACT AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATING WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOT AND DEEMED TOTALED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL NOTIFICATION WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING) BUT HIS VIN WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE OF THE RECALL. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.*DT*JB*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11398086

Feb 10, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE SERVICING MY LINCOLN MKS WITH AN OIL CHANGE, I NOTICED A BROWNISH FLUID LEAKING FROM MY INNER FRONT WHEEL AREA. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT THAT FLUID WAS FOR, SO I GOOGLED IT AND IT SAID IT COULD BE FROM A DEFECTIVE PTU ON MY AWD LINCOLN MKS. AT 34,983 MILES, I TOOK IT TO MY LINCOLN DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, AND IT WAS IN FACT A DEFECTIVE PTU. THE MKS WAS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE SO THE COSTLY REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. HOWEVER THE REPLACEMENT UNIT WILL ALSO FAIL AS FORD STATES THAT IT IS LIFETIME GEAR FLUID AND IT DOES NOT NEED FLUSHED OR CHANGED. THE PTU IS LOCATED DIRECTLY NEAR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THAT IS WHAT CAUSES THE FLUID TO OVERHEAT AND TO BREAK DOWN CAUSING THE GEARS TO FAIL IN THE UNIT. OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE ACTUALLY AN ADAPTED VERSION OF THAT PTU WITH A DRAIN PLUG FOR REGULAR FLUSH AND FILL MAINTENANCE BUT NOT VEHICLES IN THE US. CONSUMERS HAVE MADE VIDEOS OF HOW THEY HAVE INSTALLED THEIR OWN DRAIN SYSTEM ON THE PTU TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO DRAIN AND REPLACE THE DEGRADED AND USELESS FLUID IN THE UNIT. THIS IS A SEVERE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS HANDLED.

NHTSA ODI 11395566

Feb 10, 2021Fuel system

MY FUEL PUMP DRIVER MODULE WHICH SUPPLIES POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP STOPPED WORKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 48,222 MILES. LUCKILY, THE CAR WAS NOT IN DRIVING MODE. IT WOULD JUST NOT START IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE LINCOLN DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MODULE LOCATED BEHIND THE REAR SEAT BACK FAILED. THAT WAS A $488.64 BILL. I NOW SEE THAT THIS IS ONLY COVERED WITH THE 3.5 TURBO MKS, HOWEVER, THEY ARE THE SAME VEHICLES JUST WITH THE TURBO FEATURE. I DO FEEL THAT MY SITUATION IS RELATED TO THE SAFETY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT THE MODULE PREVENTED THE ELECTRONIC FUEL PUMP FROM WORKING. HOW CAN I RECEIVE SOME FORM OF COMPENSATION FOR THE REPAIR OF $488.64??? THAT MODULE SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED WITH A VEHICLE ONLY HAVING 48,222 MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS IN TOP PRISTINE CONDITION. I PURCHASED ANOTHER OEM FORD UNIT FOR A BACKUP IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR AGAIN. I CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER $500.00 SERVICE BILL FOR THIS ISSUE. I WILL HAVE MY LINCOLN DEALER RESEARCH THE NEW OEM PART SO THAT IT ALSO WILL NOT FAIL.

NHTSA ODI 11395555

Feb 10, 2021Electrical system

ON 7/13/17 MY A/C FDIM MODULE WAS REPLACED FOR FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING THE DEFECTIVE UNIT WOULD TURN ITSELF ON IN THE AIR CONDITIONING MODE AND BEGIN ON THE COOLEST DIGITAL SETTING THEN PROGRESSIVELY ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE UNTIL IT REACHED IT HIGHEST POINT. I TRIED SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE TOUCH SCREEN OFF BUT THE UNIT KEPT TURNING THE A/C ON AND WOULD HAVE HARMED THE A/C COMPRESSOR. IT WAS SUMMER TIME AND THE HEAT ON HIGH AND WAS UNCONTROLLABLE WAS NOT A GOOD SITUATION.THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE LINCOLN DEALERSHIP TO FIND THAT THE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE. SINCE THE LINCOLN MKS WAS A CERTIFIED CAR, IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT NO COST TO ME. HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS NEW UNIT COULD FAIL IN THE FUTURE WITH NO WARRANTY LEFT ON THE VEHICLE AT ABOUT $1400.00 OR MORE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE HAS BEEN ANOTHER CASE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THERE MAY BE OTHERS THAT I AM NOT AWARE OF. I AM JUST COMMUNICATING MY ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE AT ONLY 33,308 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11395558

Feb 9, 2021Fuel systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER BALISE FORD OF CAPE COD (90 HIGH SCHOOL RD EXT, HYANNIS, MA 02601, (508)815-4007) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V621000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,320.

NHTSA ODI 11395411

Jan 14, 2021Electrical system

HVAC CONTROLS TURNS ITSELF OFF, CAUSING WINDSHEILD TO FOG UP.

NHTSA ODI 11388143

Jan 5, 2021Steering

LOSS OF POWER ASSIST STEERING, COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. STEERING WAS STICKY, NOT SMOOTH ROTATION OF STEERING WHEEL, HARD TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT LINE IT STARTED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A WARNING TO SERVICE STEERING NOW AND WHEN I TURNED OFF THE CAR TO LOOK AT IT, WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP, I LOST ALL POWER STEERING ASSIST

NHTSA ODI 11386579

Nov 2, 2020SteeringElectrical system

THE POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL WHEN IT HAPPENS. VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL, ISSUE # 2 TEMPERATURE CONTROL GOES FROM SET TEMPERATURE TO FULL HEAT UNASSISTED. YOU CANNOT TURN THE HIGH TEMPERATURE SETTING OFF. IT IS UNBEARABLE TO DRIVE IN CAR WITH HEAT ON FULL BLAST. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES CAN HAPPEN IN MOTION OR WHEN STOPPED

NHTSA ODI 11372761

Nov 2, 2020Electrical system

THE CONTROL FOR TEMPERATURE IN CAR AT ANY TIME CAN GO TO MAXIMUM HEAT WHILE DRIVING. IT IS UNBEARABLE INSIDE OF THE CAR NOT GOOD FOR MY ELDER MOM WHEN IT HAPPENS AS IT IS TOO HOT IN CAR

NHTSA ODI 11372765

Oct 23, 2020Fuel system

MY 2013 MKS IS STALLING WHILING DRIVING NUMEROUS TIMES, ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT A FEW DAYS AGO. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2013 MKS FUEL MODULE BECAUSE IT CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING. HOWEVER, AFTER CALLING LINCOLN I AM TOLD THAT MY LINCOLN MKS 2013 IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. LINCOLN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MY 2013 MKS IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE WHERE ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING. BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I ORIGINALLY TOOK THE CAR OR MY MECHANIC BECAUSE I NEEDED IT LOOKED AT RIGHT AWAY AS IT'S EXTREMELY UNSAFE. MY MECHANIC ALERTED ME TO THE RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW LINCOLN THINKS MY CAR DOES NOT APPLY TO RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11365889

Sep 25, 2020SteeringElectrical systemLights

EVERY RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2013 LINCOLN MKS I HAVE WRONG WITH MY VEHICLES. BUT WHEN I CALL TO HAVE IT SERVICED THEY TELL ME MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS, BUT YET MY VEHICLE HAS ALL THE RECALL PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI 11361092

Sep 1, 2020Steering

I LOST MY STEERING IN MY VEHICLE. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED NOW THE PROBLEM WITH MY 2013 LINCOLN MKS IS RACK-AND-PINION-STEERING. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY MAIN STREET WHEN I STARTED TO LOSE IT. MY STEERING WAS EASIER. DOVE A BIT FURTHER DOWN THE MAIN STREET WHEN I LOST STEERING ALL TOGETHER. I NEED $2500.00 TO FIX I DON'T HAVE THAT RIGHT NOW. NO PAPERWORK YET TO SEND. I AM FURLOUGHED DUE TO COVID. THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VIN #. THERE WAS ON OTHER LINCOLN'S WE WERE TOLD.

NHTSA ODI 11352602

Aug 25, 2020Electrical system

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM (FCIM) THAT CAUSES THE TEMPERATURE TO RUN UP TO MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE. IT CANNOT BE SHUT OFF. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE WITH EXTREMELY ELEVATED TEMPERATURES IN THE CAR YOU ARE VERY LIABLE TO FALL ASLEEP. OR TRY TO REDUCE THE TEMP BY BANGING ON THE CONTROLS, THIS MAKES YOU VERY DISTRACTED. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS WHENEVER THE CAR IS RUNNING, IN MOTION OR STOPPED.

NHTSA ODI 11351164

Aug 13, 2020Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS AT STAND STILL, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER GARY YEOMANS FORD LINCOLN LOCATED AT 1420 N TOMOKA FARMS RD, DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32124, (386) 310-2342, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.*DT *DL

NHTSA ODI 11349096

Aug 10, 2020Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED UPON PASSING A SEMI TRUCK AND THE STEERING WHEEL INDEPENDENTLY WENT INTO THE OFF POSITION. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT PUSHED THE PUSH START BUTTON SINCE HE ASSUMED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUTOFF DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STEER THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO PARK, THE POWER STEERING FAULT WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO ISSUES UPON INSPECTING THE ENGINE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING) WHICH HE LINKED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT INITIALLY CALLED DAVID MCDAVID PLANO LINCOLN (3333 W PLANO PKWY, PLANO, TX 75075) WHERE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE CALL DROPPED AND UPON CALLING THE DEALER BACK, THE CONTACT WAS TRANSFERRED TO RANDALL REED'S PRESTIGE FORD (3601 S SHILOH RD, GARLAND, TX 75041) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS THEN GIVEN AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,229.

NHTSA ODI 11344321

Jun 1, 2020Steering

LOSS OF POWER ASSIST STEERING, COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. STEERING WAS STICKY, NOT SMOOTH ROTATION OF STEERING WHEEL, HARD TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT LINE IT STARTED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A WARNING TO SERVICE STEERING NOW AND WHEN I TURNED OFF THE CAR TO LOOK AT IT, WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP, I LOST ALL POWER STEERING ASSIST. CAR IS AT THE DEALER NOW FOR A $2000 REPAIR. I CAN PROVIDE REPAIR BILL IN 2 OR 3 DAYS IF NEED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11326778

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Working with the data? Download all 140 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 27, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Lincoln Mks verdict →