RoadVitals

2013 Lincoln Mks

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
141
Latest Apr 1, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
7
Latest Aug 25, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
10
7 injuries, 18 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 141 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Lincoln Mks, most frequently naming the steering, electrical and engine categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 55 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

7 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Aug 25, 2016
77,502 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 16S31View on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Dec 2, 2015
868 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The 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.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 13S04-S1View on NHTSA.gov

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Jun 2, 2015
393,623 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 15S18View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

ElectricalSteering
Filed Apr 1, 2026

Lose the ability to control the steering of the vehicle

NHTSA ID
11728676
Incident
Mar 21, 2026
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 7, 2025

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

NHTSA ID
11698103
Incident
May 22, 2025
Filed Oct 21, 2025

Recall Notice: NHTSA 25V270 My Lincoln MKC VIN# [XXX] has a recall 25V270. I also have a 2013 Lincoln MKS Vin # [XXX] with no recall BUT which has the issues with the rear view camera it intermittently displays a blank and image is upside down and some times it will be normal. Should it be considered a recall due to the image may reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Which is stated on the **** IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL**** Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11694728
Incident
Dec 1, 2020
Engine
Filed Sep 15, 2025

Water pump failure or malfunctioned causing the engine to over heat and then to engine stall going 75 mph. After having it towed it was determined the water pump was leaking. It put myself and others at risk of an accident. The water pump sits directly in the center of the engine so it can’t be inspected so easily and only option is to just replace. The water pump was confirmed by a licensed Lincoln Certified Dealer and failed at 69,639 miles. Many others have reported having this same issue. There was a warning signal that flashed as the engine reach an overheating temp, but there were none prior the incident .

NHTSA ID
11687372
Incident
Jun 28, 2022
Filed Sep 9, 2025

rear-view camera issue causing inverted, distorted, or blank image. I paid to replace the camera when I purchased the used vehicle. The replacement rear view camera installed at the dealership has the same issue. I would like this rear view camera to be part of the recall ongoing for rear cameras as apparently the replacement parts have the same issue. This rear view camera was replaced and continues to fail on my 2013 Lincoln MKS.

NHTSA ID
11685860
Incident
Sep 15, 2022
Steering
Filed Aug 8, 2025

The Lincoln was parked. When I started the car, the steering wheel would not move at all to the right or left. Simultaneously, the warning appeared that said, Power steering fault. The car was towed to the dealership. They diagnosed the car and fixed the software and replaced the steering module. Apparently, there was a recall on Lincoln MKS vehicles in 2015. I did not own the car at that time. The dealership service person said there was no recall on the VIN for this car. The notice on this website said No Unrepaired Recalls. My concern is that if the car was in motion and the power steering turned off there could have been an accident and injuries as a result.

NHTSA ID
11679333
Incident
Jul 29, 2025
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 2, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while reversing, there was a huge blast of white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for routine maintenance and was diagnosed and determined that the water pump was leaking, the turbo charger was losing power, the power transfer unit was overheating, and the water pump was overheating. The water pump was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

NHTSA ID
11670829
Incident
Jun 18, 2025
Mileage
112,000 mi
Filed Apr 8, 2025

REAR CAMERA ON 2013MY LINCOLN MKS has been replaced and the replacment continues to fail. The camera either does not work producing no image, the image is upside down, or the image is grainy. The original camera failed and I replaced it and the replacement is failing the same way. I have spent over $1000 replacing this rear camera. It seems the new camera installed is the same one getting recalled on new vehicles and I believe my rear camera should be part of this recall since it was a replacment part.

NHTSA ID
11653415
Incident
Apr 8, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SSM 53040

While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.

SSM 51536

STRUCTURE

For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a module from a vehicle or ordering a module using a different vehicle/VIN can cause ineffective repairs and additional vehicle down time. Make sure all appropriate Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures are followed when diagnosing the condition prior to all module replacements and only order modules using the correct VIN.

SSM 49210

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Some 2009-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbochargers may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket. Although oil may collect on the turbocharger, it is very rare for a turbocharger to leak oil. To isolate the source of the leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 General Information > Diagnosis and Testing > Engine > Engine Oil Leaks - Fluorescent Oil Additive Method procedure. When an oil leak is present at a turbocharger oil supply or drain tube, remove the affected oil tube and inspect for damage, and replace the O-ring seals, pedestal gasket or oil tube as required. Refer to WSM, Section 303-04. For claiming, use the affected oil tube or pedestal gasket as the causal part and applicable labor operations in Sections 6 and 9 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.

SSM 48135

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

Some 2013-2020 vehicles equipped with an EVDC air conditioning (A/C) compressor may exhibit poor A/C performance/improper climate function. To support the proper diagnosis of this compressor, the EVDC control valve tester has been provided to each U.S. dealership (339-EVDC100). Ensure the A/C system has a full charge prior to any compressor diagnostics. To support the proper diagnosis of this compressor, the EVDC compressor tool must be used, and the results recorded in the Technician comments field with the warranty claim. This tester will help reduce the potential for misdiagnosis and unnecessary compressor replacement. Refer to the Rotunda catalog for a video and user manual which provide detailed operating instructions.

SSM 48130

VISIBILITY; VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning agent. Hydrofluoric acid can attack the glass and cause visual distortion and/or discoloration on the outer surface which cannot be removed by further cleaning. If this type of distortion is found, inspect the area of the glass that is covered by the cowl and/or molding. The portion of glass that is covered by the cowl or molding will not be affected by the acid. Hydrofluoric acid damage is not a defect in material or workmanship and is not a warrantable condition.

SSM 48123

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

For Ford and Lincoln vehicles that require positive or negative battery terminal replacement, it is not necessary to replace the complete battery cable harness (14300 and 14301) for this concern. Positive battery cable clamp BT4Z-14450-AA and negative battery cable clamp BT4Z-14450-BA are available for this type of repair. Do not cut or shorten the battery cable, instead carefully remove the affected battery cable clamp and clean the cable end as necessary to preserve wire length. Some rework may be necessary for some vehicle environments. Bend the new positive battery cable clamp as needed and crimp it to the existing battery cable. Make sure to use heat shrink tubing over the battery cable to battery cable clamp connection. Obtain the heat shrink tube locally.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lincoln Mks by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2016300
2015173063.9
2014442050.0
2013Viewing1417058.7
2012173051.3
2011433056.8
2010510043.3
2009561043.7

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.