NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Lincoln MKS Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2013 Lincoln MKS has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 141 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 2013 Lincoln MKS, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2013 Lincoln MKS owner complaints

Owners have filed 141 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Lincoln MKS, describing incidents dated August 19, 2012 to July 3, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Steering 60 complaints
  • Electrical System 25 complaints
  • Engine 24 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 16 complaints
  • Power Train 9 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 6 complaints

Of the 141 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 141 complaints, owners report 7 injuries and 18 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11756815 · Filed

    While driving home in the center lane on the XXX[XXX] Parkway, my steering wheel locked suddenly, preventing me from turning left or right. As I used my full strength to turn right against the tightness of the steering wheel, trying to get off at the next possible exit, the power to the steering…

  • ODI #11728676 · Filed

    Lose the ability to control the steering of the vehicle

  • ODI #11698103 · Filed

    Rear camera backup camera fails to show, says to contact dealership and does not display image although camera is properly intact.

Read all 141 complaints

Fuel Pump Malfunction may Cause Engine Stall

NHTSA #16V621000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported August 25, 2016 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 77,502 vehicles

Repair completion: 81.22% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 16S31 · Owners notified December 1, 2016 · Vehicles built August 31, 2011 – May 31, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

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 Delivery Module may Crack and Leak

NHTSA #15V812000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported December 2, 2015 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 868 vehicles

Repair completion: 80.18% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 13S04-S1 · Owners notified December 21, 2015 · Vehicles built December 22, 2012 – March 23, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Halfshaft Disengagement/Loss of Drive/Roll Away

NHTSA #14V393000 · Power Train — Axle Assembly — Axle Shaft · NHTSA notice

Reported July 2, 2014 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 83,250 vehicles

Repair completion: 90.36% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14S10 · Owners notified August 4, 2014 · Vehicles built August 25, 2011 – November 30, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Child Safety Lock may become Deactivated

NHTSA #13V270000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages · NHTSA notice

Reported June 26, 2013 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 12,569 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 13S07 · Owners notified August 2, 2013 · Vehicles built November 29, 2012 – December 12, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

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 Delivery Module may Crack And Leak

NHTSA #13V227000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported May 31, 2013 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 390,783 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 13S04 · Owners notified July 20, 2013 · Vehicles built August 25, 2011 – January 10, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

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 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.

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.

Other Lincoln MKS model years

Check your 2013 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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