2012 Lincoln MKT Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: October 16, 2026 · Filed: October 21, 2026

My 33,000 miles 2012 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost previously received a software-only update for Federal Safety Recall 15S18 (NHTSA Campaign 15V340). The Power Steering Assist Fault dash light has shown up on a trip out of town making it now completely unable to drive safely on the street. We took it to an independent mechanic who determined various codes of U3000, and UO428. The software update failed to protect the vehicle's electronic power steering system. The steering gear has now suffered a total internal electronic failure at only 33,000 miles, completely disabling the power steering. The vehicle is actively throwing hard internal fault codes U3000 and U0428 congruent to the recall. Ford's safety recall remedy was completely ineffective, creating a severe, immediate low-speed crash hazard.

Incident: August 11, 2025 · Filed: September 11, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed, the Service Advancetrac warning light was illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed with steering rack and pinion failure. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the repair would be covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000(Steering); however, the contact was later informed that the recall had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer scheduled an appointment with the dealer on the contact's behalf; however, the dealer declined to perform the repair. The contact was informed that the repair was at the dealer's discretion because the recall had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Incident: October 1, 2024 · Filed: December 5, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the power steering system failure warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to maneuver the steering wheel as needed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 12,980.

Incident: July 22, 2024 · Filed: October 22, 2024

The car had a recall, and they worked on it. A few years later the power steering went out while driving and almost had an accident. They did not replace the steering gear they only worked on the steering module. If they had replaced the steering gear, it may have solved the whole problem. They know there was a problem and did not do their best to solve it. There may be thousands of vehicles waiting for the time when there could be a serious accident due to Ford's negligence. I was moving slow when the steering quit and may have saved my life or others in over vehicles. I was told it is over $4,000 to repair. I cannot afford the repair. I am without a vehicle to drive. I need it for doctors' appointments.

Incident: July 29, 2024 · Filed: August 13, 2024

The recall work was done on 10/27/2015. Ford Lincoln knows there is a problem with the power steering. They will not redo the work that needs to be done properly because of their faulty power steering module. They did not replace the module; they only made an adjustment to it. I almost had an accident because of the faulty power steering. When it went out it is almost impossible to turn the steering wheel. This problem could have created a serious accident with another vehicle, property or even a pedestrian. Anyone owning one of these vehicles could have the same serious problem. I am on limited income and cannot afford to have the problem repaired. I should not have to pay for the repair since Ford Lincoln knows it is a problem. What happened to me was when I was making a turn around a corner the power steering when out and I almost hit a car. I struggled to get it into a parking lot. The driver of the other car followed me in to curse me out. I told him what happened. He got in and checked it and saw it was not working properly. He was nice to offer to drive it to my home a short distance away. His wife followed us in his car. He was strong enough to turn the wheel. He told me to never drive it again that it was dangerous to drive. Ford should correct the problem since it is dangerous when it suddenly goes out.

Incident: January 1, 2021 · Filed: December 20, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that the twin-turbo became inoperable. The contact stated that oil was entering the exhaust and the contact was unable to see other vehicles. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and referred him to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

Incident: November 10, 2022 · Filed: December 6, 2022

The contact's grandmother owned a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that when his grandmother was starting the vehicle, she experienced a loss of power steering assist. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The contact's grandmother was then offered and agreed to a trade-in. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.

Incident: May 28, 2021 · Filed: June 1, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while making a turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact drove at a slow speed to his residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle was over 150,000 miles and NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (Steering) would not be honored. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and stated that the recall letter was sent to the previous owner and since the vehicle was over 150,000 the repairs would be out of pocket. The failure mileage was approximately 151,566.

Incident: June 4, 2020 · Filed: June 8, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AFTER REFUELING, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLETON LINCOLN LOCATED AT 1610 WAUKEGAN AVE, GLENVIEW, IL 60025, (888)214-2155, WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS EXCEEDED FOR INCLUSION IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS EXCEEDED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR THE FREE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300,000.

Incident: June 3, 2020 · Filed: June 7, 2020

I STARTED MY 2012 LINCOLN MKT 3.5L THE STEERING WAS HARD TO TURN AND THE DASHBOARD ERROR MESSAGE READS 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. I GOOGLE IT AND IT SHOWED THAT THE 'POWER STEERING ASSIT FAULT ERROR MESSAGE WAS ON RECALL ON JUNE 2015. I TOWED THE CAR TO LINCOLN ON 1610 WAUKEGAN AVE GLENVIEW IL, THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID AFTER THE DIAGNOSIS THAT THE STEERING GEAR SHOULD BE REPLACED. I SAID OKAY THINKING THAT SINCE THE ERROR MESSAGE WAS ON RECALL IT WILL BE FREE. BUT WHEN I WAS PICKING THE CAR I WAS CHARGED $2806.21. MY QUESTION IS SHOULD I PAY FOR THIS RECALL REPAITS?