Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2012 Lincoln MKT
NHTSA data on file today
The 2012 Lincoln MKT has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 28 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #15V340000 Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Steering 20 complaints
- Electrical System 3 complaints
- Engine 2 complaints
- Power Train 2 complaints
- Structure 2 complaints
- Unknown or Other 2 complaints
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,200–$9,200AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2012 Lincoln MKT faces reliability concerns, primarily due to common steering issues and some electrical system complaints. Owners have reported numerous steering failures, leading to a recall for the electric power assist system. The ongoing issues point to above-average repair costs over time.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| steering system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $400–$1,200 | very common |
| electrical system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $200–$800 | occasional |
| power train | 80,000–120,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | rare |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- Tire rotation every 7,500 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 2 years
- Coolant exchange every 5 years
- Transmission fluid change at 100,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Steering wheel vibrations
- Unresponsive steering assist
- Electrical malfunctions
- Transmission slipping or noise
- Unusual engine noises
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2012 Lincoln MKT at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.