VehicleVerdict

2013 Lincoln MKT problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 90 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.4 times the median MKT year — the 2013 model ranks #2 of 10 MKT years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 31 reports (34% of the total).

90

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other MKT years?

MKT NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted92 complaints2010: 92 complaints2011: 26 complaints2012: 33 complaints2013: 90 complaints2014: 79 complaints2015: 27 complaints2016: 10 complaints2017: 3 complaints2018: 10 complaints2019: 12 complaints
MKT NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all MKT years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Lincoln MKT problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering3134%
Fuel System1213%
Other89%
Electrical System89%
Suspension67%
Body & Structure67%
Visibility & Wipers56%
Lighting44%
Driver Assistance44%
Engine22%
Transmission22%
Seat Belts11%
Brakes11%

Does the 2013 Lincoln MKT have recalls?

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

20V072000SuspensionFebruary 10, 2020 · 211,207 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

Consequence

A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.

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.

15V172000Electrical SystemMarch 24, 2015 · 1,549 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Lincoln MKT vehicles with a limousine or hearse preparation package, manufactured March 6, 2012, to March 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the vacuum pump relay may overheat due to an internal fault or contamination.

Consequence

If the vacuum pump relay overheats, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vacuum pump relay with a new electro-mechanical relay, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S10.

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.

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 OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND RAN INTO A SIGN. THE SIGN WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FRONT BUMPER WAS TORN OFF, THE FENDER WAS BENT AND THE REARVIEW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS ALSO TORN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 28, 2020 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, FUEL FUMES FILLED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM HAD RUPTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 20, 2013

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE DRIVING IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION, SMOKE AND FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT UNDER THE HOOD. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF FOR THREE HOURS. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE VEHICLE, ASKED THE PASSENGERS TO EXIT,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 27, 2019 · fire

“VERY STRONG EXHAUST FUMES IN CABIN UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION. SMELLS LIKE SULFUR OR ROTTEN EGGS. DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THERE IS NO SOLUTION. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME ISSUE THAT HAS AFFECTED OTHER LINCOLN & FORD MODELS (SUCH AS THE FORD EXPLORER).”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 27, 2018

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY NINE HOURS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT HOUSING. THE OWNER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A REPORT WAS FILED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 18, 2016 · fire

2013 Lincoln MKT — common questions

Is the 2013 Lincoln MKT reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 90 complaints put the 2013 model at #2 of 10 MKT years. It is one of the MKT years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 MKT problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (31 complaints), fuel system (12 complaints), other (8 complaints).

Does the 2013 Lincoln MKT have recalls?

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

Which Lincoln MKT years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the MKT years to avoid are 2010, 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among MKT years belongs to 2017.

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.