What 43 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Lincoln Mks

I currently own and am driving a 2014 Lincoln MKS, my fourth such vehicle over the past several years. Lincolns have been one of my favorite vehicles however, I am writing to bring to your attention a recurring issue with the climate control system that may warrant further review as a potential safety-related defect. Many owners, including myself, have experienced a situation where the vehicle's heating system automatically increases to full heat without any driver input. In my case, both sides of the dual-zone system simultaneously rise to maximum temperature, regardless of the settings selected. This behavior appears to be linked to a failure of the main blend door actuator. While this may seem like a comfort issue at first glance, it can quickly become a safety concern. Sudden, uncontrolled heat output can fog windows, distract the driver, and create uncomfortable cabin conditions that may impair focus. Given the number of similar reports from other owners, I believe this issue may merit further investigation. I respectfully request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (and Ford) review this matter to determine whether a recall or service campaign may be appropriate. Thank you for your time and attention. I appreciate your commitment to safety and customer satisfaction.

NHTSA ODI 11738085

The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while in reverse, the rear-view camera failed to display an image as intended on the digital screen. An unknown message was displayed. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11686930

Ford has recalled vehicles that have back up camera issues. My back up camera image is upside down. My year was not included in the recall but has the same issue. I feel they should fix it for free.

NHTSA ODI 11686942

Electrical problem continues to happen. I was trying to unlock the car. It would unlock and lock , windows roll down, sunroof open and all windows roll down without my help. Radio will turn all the way up. I placed a fixd in the car. Repairs started flashing low battery, sensor with steering, seat belts, and airbags. This has happen several times. I went to a shop. They told me I had a recall. I went to a dealer, they said I did not. I am confused and afraid to drive my car at times. Because this has happened when I am driving to.

NHTSA ODI 11683776

Vehicle turned off while driving. Luckily, I was driving in a parking lot when it happened, therefore, I was not at a high volume of speed. The issue has been confirmed by a dealer. No inspection by manufacturer or others has been conducted. No warning lamps or other messages were noted prior to failure. Issues have been ongoing for about 2 months now.

NHTSA ODI 11597579

Vehicle's AC continuously goes from coldest temperature to high heat on its own and cannot be turned off. You can hit the Max AC button and numbers will read 60 and work it's way up to "HIGH" heat within just a few seconds. This happens at any given moment and will not stop until it wants to. Cruise control turns off while driving and collision warning sensor comes on. Once this happens, you cannot set cruise control anymore. This too is something that works and malfunctions on its own. When driving, I have experienced the loud collision warning sound and flashing red light on dash, causing me to panic while driving. Problem has not been confirmed by a dealer or service center, nor has it been inspected by manufacturer. Warning lamps and flashing red dash lights and alarms sound. This issue has been ongoing since May 2023. All issues described take place every single day that I drive my car.

NHTSA ODI 11597582

The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the vehicle stalled upon acceleration. There were no warning lights illuminated. After exiting the vehicle, the doors began to lock and unlock. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who stated the failure was due to the fuel pump. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V621000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA ODI 11556063

Rear back up camera fails. I’ve noticed there is an active recall, on newer Lincoln’s, for this same problem.

NHTSA ODI 11529736

The contact’s daughter owned a 2014 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The failure recurred several times and the steering wheel became locked completely. The contact had spoken to the dealer and was informed that the steering gear assembly and the spindle rods connecting end failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,707.

NHTSA ODI 11520008

Driving car and steering wheel suddenly locks up. Reported to both dealer and Ford motor company. Both refused to fix it. Found same problem with the 2013 model...it was recalled because of this same issue with the steering.

NHTSA ODI 11517366

Speedometer light randomly goes off every time I drive the car and it is difficult to see the speed I am driving

NHTSA ODI 11494772

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH and attempting to honk the horn, there was no sound coming from the horn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the mechanic stated that the steering column control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the parts were discontinued. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance because the parts were no longer available. The failure mileage was 79,000.

NHTSA ODI 11493772

Both mirrors continue to show that there is an obstruction in the mirrors. The mirror warning stays illuminated. Upon vehicle start up, the BLIS and Cross Traffic warning indicates the system is inoperable. Both side obstacle detection control modules have been replaced. The dealer is having issues getting the system to work. Parts are available for inspection.

NHTSA ODI 11489210

Steering wheel locked up while the car was in motion. "Steering Assist Fault Service Required" appears on the dash. Mechanic has checked out the car and believes the steering rack might have to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11489080

The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while driving at approximately 75 MPH, the steering fault and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that one mile from home, the steering wheel failed to respond. As a result, the contact pulled over. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to call the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

NHTSA ODI 11477371

The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with the "Steering Assist Fault, Service Required" message displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11476352

Lincoln customer service has been an ultimate nightmare. Previously spent $2,000 just so the car would stop blasting the heat, blasting the radio, locking and unlocking vehicle. In order to get the car stereo working it’s an additional $4,000. From all my research I’m relieved I’m one of many dealing with this recall Lincoln refuses to take responsibility on screwing loyal customers like me. The car retains water in the bottom of door frames. Front collision doesn’t work and it will sometimes go crazy when I’m near car like locking and unlocking car sporadically. I refuse to allow any children to ride in this car due to its unpredictable behavior like it has a mind of its own. Please help me I have Lincoln take full responsibility for their wrongs to help out customers safety like me and many others. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11462540

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!

NHTSA ODI 11451435

Driving and stopped for a red light. The engine stalled and would not restart.I was driving and slowed down for a red light. The engine chugged and stalled. It would not restart. There was a recall on the 2013 model with the exact problem but not for the 2014. This could have ended terribly had I not been slowing down for the light. I was able to swerve into a large mall parking lot and came to a stop.

NHTSA ODI 11443675

Tire size: 255/45 R 19 This is actually about all four of my tires. I bought my tires at a discount tire in Bloomingdale, Il shop on 12/14/19. Had 52,524 documented miles. First my tires kept loosing air. maybe had to fill them one every 2-3 weeks, by 2020, it was every 10 days or so. Since 2021 it was up to 2-4 times a week. Took my car to a different tire shop today (12/3/2021) with 67,116 miles and was told the treads were pretty good but my side walls were coming apart. Was told the tires were dangerous to ride on and have pictures of the cracks on the tires.

NHTSA ODI 11442613

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.

NHTSA ODI 11432258

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START-UP WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED AS FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED TWICE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,700.

NHTSA ODI 11414960

I WAS GOING UP TO NEW YORK AND CAR STALLED ON BUSY I 95 NORTH HIGHWAY. I GOT IT TOWED TO MECHANIC IN NJ. HE TOLD ME FUEL PUMP RELAY MODULE AND FUEL PUMP IS BROKEN. HE FIXED IT. I CALLED LINCOLN ABOUT RECALL FOR FUEL PUMP RELAY MODULE RECALL AND OF COURSE THEY DENIED MY COMPLAINT, THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VIN IS NOT IN THEIR RECALL. ACTUALLY FUEL PUMP RELAY MODULE WAS BROKEN TWO TIMES IN SAME CAR COSTED ME OVER 1000$ TO FIX PLUS TOWING... UNACCEPTABLE AND DANGEROUS

NHTSA ODI 11397152

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED HIS FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V393000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE SERVICED OR DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

NHTSA ODI 11350335

THE DASHBOARD CONTROLS CEASED FUNCTIONING, THE HEATER CONTROLS WILL NOT WORK,MAKING THE DEFROST NOT FUNCTION. THIS HAPPENS WHILE PARKED OR IN MOTION, NO MATTER THE LOCATION. IT APPEARS THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONTROL MODULE HAS DIED IN MID-STREAM WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11339899