VehicleVerdict

2013 Lincoln MKS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 181 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.1 times the median MKS year — the 2013 model ranks #1 of 8 MKS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 24 deaths and 9 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 60 reports (33% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

181

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

9

Injuries

24

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other MKS years?

MKS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted181 complaints2009: 70 complaints2010: 64 complaints2011: 57 complaints2012: 25 complaints2013: 181 complaints2014: 59 complaints2015: 28 complaints2016: 5 complaints
MKS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all MKS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Lincoln MKS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering6033%
Electrical System2614%
Engine2413%
Fuel System169%
Transmission95%
Driver Assistance84%
Other84%
Visibility & Wipers63%
Lighting42%
Seats42%
Body & Structure32%
Suspension32%
Tires & Wheels32%
Brakes21%
Airbags21%
Speed Control21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 2013 Lincoln MKS have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V621000Fuel SystemAugust 25, 2016 · 77,502 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.

Consequence

A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31.

15V812000Fuel SystemDecember 2, 2015 · 868 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.

15V340000SteeringJune 2, 2015 · 393,623 units

Defect

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 MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.

Consequence

If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.

15V040000Body & StructureJanuary 28, 2015 · 194,889 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.

Consequence

If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S02.

14V393000TransmissionJuly 2, 2014 · 83,250 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.

Consequence

If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.

13V270000Latches & LocksJune 26, 2013 · 12,569 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured November 29, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, with sufficient door openings and closings, the child safety locks may change from an activated position to a deactivated position without notice.

Consequence

If the child lock is deactivated, the door could be unlocked and opened from the inside which could lead to personal injury to an unrestrained child.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the safety locks. If necessary, the locks will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Ford's recall number is 13S07. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

13V227000Fuel SystemMay 31, 2013 · 390,783 units

Defect

Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 21, 2021 · crash

“THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR MAKE, MODEL, & YEAR TO FIX A PROBLEM WHICH WOULD LEAD TO A FIRE. HOWEVER, THE RECALL NOTICE WAS NEVER RECEIVED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY, FIDUCIARY, HAVE DENIED THE CLAIM AS THEY DO NOT COVER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 2, 2014 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FLAMES WERE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 5, 2015 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED GREY SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 22, 2018 · fire

“The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with several undisclosed messages displayed on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 12, 2024

2013 Lincoln MKS — common questions

Is the 2013 Lincoln MKS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 181 complaints put the 2013 model at #1 of 8 MKS years. It is one of the MKS years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 MKS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (60 complaints), electrical system (26 complaints), engine (24 complaints).

Does the 2013 Lincoln MKS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Lincoln MKS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lincoln MKS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the MKS years to avoid are 2013. The cleanest record among MKS years belongs to 2016.

How safe is the 2013 Lincoln MKS?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Lincoln MKS earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.