Reliability & cost of ownership
Lincoln MKS Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Lincoln MKS? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Lincoln MKS problems by model year
19 recall entries across 7 model years and 373 owner complaints across 8 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining model year — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 MKS | Not confirmed | 3 | 5.0 | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2015 MKS | 3 | 18 | 5.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2014 MKS | 2 | 44 | 5.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2013 MKS | 7 | 141 | 5.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2012 MKS | 3 | 17 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2011 MKS | 3 | 43 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2010 MKS | 0 | 51 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2009 MKS | 1 | 56 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Lincoln MKS, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- steering120 complaints
- electrical system55 complaints
- engine47 complaints
- unknown or other27 complaints
- power train24 complaints
- vehicle speed control24 complaints
- fuel/propulsion system24 complaints
- service brakes21 complaints