VehicleVerdict

2015 Lincoln MKS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 28 complaints on file for the 2015 Lincoln MKS — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

28

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other MKS years?

MKS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted181 complaints2009: 70 complaints2010: 64 complaints2011: 57 complaints2012: 25 complaints2013: 181 complaints2014: 59 complaints2015: 28 complaints2016: 5 complaints
MKS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all MKS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Lincoln MKS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine621%
Electrical System414%
Transmission311%
Fuel System311%
Steering27%
Airbags27%
Other27%
Body & Structure27%
Driver Assistance27%
Brakes14%
Suspension14%

Does the 2015 Lincoln MKS have recalls?

3 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.

15V605000Fuel SystemSeptember 28, 2015 · 203 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured on July 24, 2015. During vehicle production, the fuel tank attachment bolts may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the fuel tank straps may fracture and the fuel tank could separate from the vehicle.

Consequence

If the fuel tank separates from the vehicle, a fuel leak may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the fuel tank attachment bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S26.

15V464000BrakesJuly 24, 2015 · 7,165 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence

If the parking brake does not fully engage and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while on a slope, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the operation of the parking brake system, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C07.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I TOOK MY 2015 LINCOLN MKS TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE A WATER PUMP. AFTER THEY INSPECTED MY VEHICLE, THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WAS INDEED A BAD WATER PUMP. THEY QUOTED THAT IT WOULD TAKE 15 HOURS FOR THE REPAIR AND COST $2,500. I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED AND PAID $2,547.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 22, 2020 · fire

“I TOOK MY 2015 LINCOLN MKS TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE A WATER PUMP. AFTER THEY INSPECTED MY VEHICLE, THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WAS INDEED A BAD WATER PUMP. THEY QUOTED THAT IT WOULD TAKE 15 HOURS FOR THE REPAIR AND COST $2,500. I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED AND PAID $2,547.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 22, 2020 · fire

“AT TIMES, WHILE DRIVING, MY ENGINE WILL STALL AND SLOW DOWN REGARDLESS IF I'M STILL PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. I GENERALLY SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN AND WAIT LIKE THIRTY SECONDS AND RESTART. IT IS USUALLY OK THEN UNTIL THE NEXT EPISODE. I INCLUDED THE LAST DATE IT HAPPENED. IT HAS BEEN DOING IT OVER MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 11, 2020

“AT TIMES, WHILE DRIVING, MY ENGINE WILL STALL AND SLOW DOWN REGARDLESS IF I'M STILL PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. I GENERALLY SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN AND WAIT LIKE THIRTY SECONDS AND RESTART. IT IS USUALLY OK THEN UNTIL THE NEXT EPISODE. I INCLUDED THE LAST DATE IT HAPPENED. IT HAS BEEN DOING IT OVER MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 11, 2020

“Water leaks from the drip rail moldings down into the side airbags which could cause a shortage and unintentional air bag deployment. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 30, 2025

2015 Lincoln MKS — common questions

Is the 2015 Lincoln MKS reliable?

The record is thin — 28 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2015 MKS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (6 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints), fuel system (3 complaints).

Does the 2015 Lincoln MKS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 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 2015 Lincoln MKS?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 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.