2012 Lincoln Mks Owner Complaints

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.

NHTSA ID

11755941

Incident

Aug 8, 2026

Mileage

130,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11679596

Incident

Jul 20, 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.

NHTSA ID

11678807

Incident

Jul 24, 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.

NHTSA ID

11671050

Incident

Jun 26, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11618842

Incident

Aug 25, 2024

Mileage

158,000 mi

Power Steering Assist Failure

NHTSA ID

11609153

Incident

Jul 11, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11514419

Incident

Mar 8, 2023

Mileage

104,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11514029

Incident

Mar 27, 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.

NHTSA ID

11507110

Incident

Jan 9, 2021

Mileage

22,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11373903

Incident

Jul 6, 2020

Mileage

72,500 mi

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND OUT OF NOWHERE THE TEMP GAUGE SPIKES TO HOT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR SMELLED VERY STRONGLY OF COOLANT. AFTER GETTING THE CAR HOME AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I DETERMINED THAT THE INTERNAL WATER PUMP FAILED. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE DURETEC ENGINES. NO WARNING FROM THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE CAR. THERE IS CURRENTLY A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE. A RECALL ON THIS PART NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ID

11234866

Incident

Jul 3, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

OUTSIDE TEMP 27 F. OPENED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND IT WOULD NOT STAY SHUT. HAD TO USE ROPE TO TIE PASSENGER DOOR TO REAR DOOR BEHIND DRIVER TO KEEP IT SHUT SO I COULD GO TO EYE DOCTOR, A THREE HOUR DRIVE AWAY. AS TEMPERATURE HAS RISEN, IT SEEMS TO BE LATCHING TO STAY SHUT NOW, BUT I DO NOT TRUST IT.

NHTSA ID

11165214

Incident

Dec 28, 2018

Mileage

74,625 mi

THE CAR STUTTERS ON SOFT ACCELERATION WHILE PULLING OUT OR INCREASE IN VELOCITY WHEN GOING UP HILL OR ON UPGRADES. PREMATURE VALVE COVER LEAKING INTO SPARK PLUGS AND SOAKING IGNITION PACKS OVERHEATING PREMATURELY WHILE IN SLOW MOVING TO MODERATE TRAFFIC INTERMITTEN WIPERS DEFECTIVE WHEN I ACQUIRED IT

NHTSA ID

11072103

Incident

Nov 15, 2017

Mileage

102,000 mi

LOUD POPPING AND CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM SPEAKERS EVEN WHEN THE AUDIO IS POWERED OFF. I TRIED TO UPDATE MY SYNC SYSTEM, BUT THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CALL THE MANUFACTURE FOR HELP, BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE 0 ASSISTANCE. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY, MORE IN THE EVENING OR NIGHT TIME. WHILE THE CAR IS BOTH STATIONARY AND IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID

11052821

Incident

Nov 20, 2017

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 1/14/16 LN *JS

NHTSA ID

10787292

Incident

Oct 30, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKS. WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DRASTICALLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AFTER AN AUDIBLE AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. UPDATED 8/6/15*CN

NHTSA ID

10726029

Incident

May 22, 2015

Mileage

39,000 mi

I STOPPED THE CAR IN MY GARAGE AND PUSHED THE KEYLESS IGNITION BUTTON, BUT DID NOT PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I EXITED THE CAR AND IT SLOWLY COASTED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO A DEEP GULLY.. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR FROM THE ACCIDENT AND THE WRECKERS GETTING IT OUT OF THE GULLY WAS $14,400. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED MOST WELL-ENGINEERED CARS, EXCLUDING FORD/LINCOLN, LOCK THE BREAKS OR PUT THE CAR INTO PARK IF THE KEYLESS IGNITION BUTTON IS PUSHED BEFORE THE CAR IS PUT INTO PARK. (EXAMPLES OF WELL ENGINEERED CARS INCLUDE BMW AND TOYOTA PRIUS WITH RESPECT TO THIS ISSUE.) THIS IS A MAJOR ENGINEERING SAFETY ISSUE. A DRIVER CAN PARK A FORD PRODUCT ON A HILL, PUSH THE IGNITION BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE, BUT NOT PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND EXIT THE CAR AND THE CAR WILL COAST DOWN THE HILL HITTING ANYTHING OR ANYBODY IN ITS PATH. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD ENGINEER THEIR CARS SO THIS OVERSIGHT WILL NOT RESULT IN SUBSTANTIAL PROPERTY DAMAGE OR, WORSE, DEATH OF INNOCENT PEOPLE. CLEARLY OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAVE CHOSEN TO DEAL WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10546024

Incident

Aug 29, 2013

Mileage

12,100 mi