NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Lincoln MKS Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2012 Lincoln MKS has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 17 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Lincoln dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Lincoln MKS, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2012 Lincoln MKS owner complaints

Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Lincoln MKS, describing incidents dated August 29, 2013 to August 8, 2026.

Most-cited components

Steering 8 complaints
Electrical System 4 complaints
Unknown or Other 4 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Structure 2 complaints

Of the 17 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11755941 · Filed August 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over the right side of the road and exited the vehicle and became aware of a leak underneath the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated…
ODI #11679596 · Filed August 9, 2025
This is additional information related to my prior complaint 1167880 regarding the 2012 Lincoln MKS steering issue.
ODI #11678807 · Filed August 6, 2025
I’ve owned my 2012 Lincoln MKS for 3 years. A warning recently appeared saying “Power Steering Assist Fault,” and now the steering is very hard to turn, especially at low speeds. I’ve already paid around $1,800 in the past to fix this issue once, but now I’m experiencing the same or similar problems…

Read all 17 complaints

Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist

NHTSA #15V340000 · Steering — Electric Power Assist System · NHTSA notice

Reported June 2, 2015 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 393,623 vehicles

Repair completion: 69.35% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 15S18 · Owners notified July 21, 2015 · Vehicles built September 7, 2010 – February 28, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Interior Door Handle Return Spring may Unseat

NHTSA #15V040000 · Structure — Body — Door · NHTSA notice

Reported January 28, 2015 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 194,889 vehicles

Repair completion: 52.19% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 15S02 · Owners notified March 23, 2015 · Vehicles built June 1, 2011 – October 31, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Tank may Leak at Seam

NHTSA #13V109000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported March 27, 2013 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 3,037 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 13S03 · Owners notified May 9, 2013 · Vehicles built July 19, 2011 – March 15, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and model year 2013 Explorer vehicles manufactured July 19, 2011, through March 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the fuel tanks may have a marginally sealed seam in the side of the tank. As a result, the fuel tanks may not provide the expected strength in the event of an impact. The tanks may also leak.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tanks and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S03. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2012 Lincoln MKS 4 DR FWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

12% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

2012 Lincoln MKS 4 DR AWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

12% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

17 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Lincoln MKS.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #11755941

Incident: August 8, 2026 · Filed: August 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over the right side of the road and exited the vehicle and became aware of a leak underneath the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V109000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Steering; Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #11679596

Incident: July 20, 2025 · Filed: August 9, 2025

This is additional information related to my prior complaint 1167880 regarding the 2012 Lincoln MKS steering issue.

Steering; Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #11678807

Incident: July 24, 2025 · Filed: August 6, 2025

I’ve owned my 2012 Lincoln MKS for 3 years. A warning recently appeared saying “Power Steering Assist Fault,” and now the steering is very hard to turn, especially at low speeds. I’ve already paid around $1,800 in the past to fix this issue once, but now I’m experiencing the same or similar problems again. I haven’t had it officially diagnosed this time because both Ford and the dealer told me it wouldn’t be covered, since the recall (15S18) is now expired. This is a serious safety issue. The car is difficult to control and unsafe to drive. I’m a full-time worker and a father of two toddlers, and I’m still making payments on this car that I now can’t safely use — or only for short trips while constantly worrying about steering failure. I just found out about this old recall, and the dealership never told me anything about it when I bought the car used. I strongly believe I’m experiencing the same issue Ford previously recalled these vehicles for, and I’m asking NHTSA to investigate or reopen the recall so it can be repaired before me or my family is seriously injured.

Steering

ODI #11671050

Incident: June 26, 2025 · Filed: July 3, 2025

After starting the vehicle on Thursday 6/26/2025, the Power Steering Assist Fault message appeared in the message center. The owner's manual was consulted and as recommended, the engine was turned off for over 10 seconds, turned back on, and the message returned. The Power Steering Assist Fault message has appeared each time upon starting the engine (both by remote and push-button) for 8 days and counting. In September of 2015, the recall associated with a fault in the electric power steering system (number 15S18) was completed at the dealership. The recommended maintenance scheduled has been followed since the vehicle was purchased in January 2012.

Steering

ODI #11618842

Incident: August 25, 2024 · Filed: October 9, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while attempting to drive out of a parking space, the message "Power Assist Failure" was displayed, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) needed to be reprogrammed, and the steering rack needed to be replaced. The mechanic related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 15N01. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the same assessment was made. The dealer ordered the part for the repair; however, the manufacturer's warranty department denied the claim for the repair after several attempts. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.

Steering

ODI #11609153

Incident: July 11, 2024 · Filed: August 17, 2024

Power Steering Assist Failure

Steering

ODI #11514419

Incident: March 8, 2023 · Filed: March 29, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle jerked and lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after several minutes the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the lower control arms and bushing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the lower control arms and bushing did not need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) and referred the contact to the NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 104,000.

Service Brakes

ODI #11514029

Incident: March 27, 2023 · Filed: March 27, 2023

I heard on the news that there is a recall on the brake hose and I am always putting brake fluid in i just put some in 03/27/2023 but when I put my vin # in nothing comes up for a recall I have a 2012 lincoln mks awd

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #11507110

Incident: January 9, 2021 · Filed: February 13, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that after refueling, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V109000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11373903

Incident: July 6, 2020 · Filed: November 10, 2020

I HAVE AN EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE AMOUNT OF MOISTURE IN THE PASSENGER HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. I'VE HAD IT CHECKED AT 3 DIFFERENT BODY SHOPS, INCLUDING A LINCOLN ONE HERE IN TULSA. ALL 3 SHOPS COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE THE MOISTURE IS COMING FROM. I HAVE SEEN THIS ON A COUPLE OF OTHER LINCOLN MKSS. ON THE OTHER AUTOMOBILES THAT I HAVE SEEN THEIR PEERS TO BE NO DAMAGE ANYWHERE AS IS THE CASE WITH MINE. MY CONCERN IS THE MOISTURE IS GOING TO GET TO THE BULB OR GET BULB SOCKET AND CAUSE OF TO SHORT. IT SEEMS HARDLY FAIR THAT A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD BUT UNDER A HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES ON IT IS ALREADY HAVING ISSUES THAT ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND SEEM TO BE THE FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS NOW.

Other Lincoln MKS model years

Check your 2012 Lincoln MKS VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lincoln MKS at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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