2013 Lincoln Mks Electrical Problems

Lose the ability to control the steering of the vehicle

NHTSA ID

11728676

Incident

Mar 21, 2026

The climate control system malfunctions by raising the temperature for the heater without any input. When turned off, it turns on by itself and resumes raising the temperature until it maxes out. This occurs when first started and also while driving, causing a severe distraction as the beeping is distracting and the temperature will not stop rising even when the My Temperature buttons are pressed to decrease the temperature. Other MKS owners have complained online. The car is available for inspection upon request. Sustained distraction while trying to find the temperature adjustment buttons and the off button lasts too long, creating a serious driving danger and large potential for an accident, even a head on accident. I have only experienced this when using the heater. It has not happened to me in the summer yet. I have not taken it to a dealer, yet. I will soon to find out how much they want to charge me for their vehicle design failure. The vehicle has not been inspected by others. There were no warnings or messages or symptoms. They first appeared within the last six months and have gotten worse with time. Now the runaway climate control occurs more frequently while driving.

NHTSA ID

11652415

Incident

Oct 1, 2024

Ill be driving and my car will whip me right off the road

NHTSA ID

11639070

Incident

Jan 21, 2025

The contact 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the heating system activated independently and was blowing hot air on a 90-degree summer day. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring and persisted while driving. Upon investigating the failure online, the contact related the failure to the Front Control Interface Module (FCIM). The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the part was not available to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11630589

Incident

Dec 13, 2021

Mileage

60,000 mi

The control panel that operates the heat/ac, audio controls and also houses the hazard light button has a high failure rate and will do its own thing or fail to operate all together. The volume will randomly max out by itself creating a blaring unbearable loudness and you have to hit the tap/hot the unit for it to stop. The heat /ac will also do whatever it wants randomly. The hazard light button will also not work randomly. I've talked to other MKS owners and this is very common issue to have.

NHTSA ID

11515650

Incident

Apr 5, 2023

Ford Port Richey overcharged for diagnosis. Claim on credit report still owe them. Same with Ferman Ford Clearwater overcharged key. Said need two in order to program ECM. Broke two other things. Wiper cord and guitar strings were cracked.

NHTSA ID

11514599

Incident

Mar 30, 2023

ECM ficum Went to Ford Port Richey, FLpaid $300 for diagnosis. Harassment with bill on credit report. Charge n charge but don't want to repair car. Same with Ferman Ford Clearwater FL there charged $300 just for new key an check everything. Back to Golden Oldies mechanic fixed ac sensor not ficum. Needs coolant sensor leaks out pressure due to ECM. They said it had a year warranty but not electronics.

NHTSA ID

11513843

Incident

Jan 25, 2021

We just purchased this car and shortly after we were driving home and it just starts beeping and suddenly the heat comes on full blast, no one is touching the controls. This happens quite frequently and once it starts rising there doesnt seem to be a way to stop it. A simple google search shows that this is a well known problem by lincoln and happens a lot, there are a lot of forums and videos all showing the exact same issue. This is a major safety concern as it causes a distraction from the noise and sudden temp change, causes distractions as you frantically hit buttons trying to get it to stop, and could even cause the window to fog up. My dealer said its not covered by any recalls or warranty and wants $1000 to fix it. I called the lincoln help line and they said to report the issue to you.

NHTSA ID

11438269

Incident

Oct 26, 2021

THE POWER JUST COMES ON ON MY CLIMATE CONTROL AND THE TEMPERATURE STARTS TO GO ALL THE WAY UP, AND WHEN YOU TRY TO TURN IT OFF IT COMES BACK ON AND IF YOU TRY TO TURN IT DOWN IT GOES BACK UP IT HAPPENS WHEN MY VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY, IT DOES THAT FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND STOP THEN IT STARTS DOING IT AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPEN WAS 03/12/2021 BUT IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERYDAY.

NHTSA ID

11416499

Incident

Mar 12, 2021

Mileage

61,400 mi

MY VEHICLE'S INTERIOR TEMPERATURE WILL AUTOMATICALLY INCREASE TO ITS MAXIMUM SETTING VERY QUICKLY. I NOTICED THAT IT'S DUE TO THE TOUCH SENSITIVITY OF THE TOUCH PANEL, WHICH CONTROLS THE VEHICLE'S AIR CONDITIONING, HEAT, MUSIC CONTROLS, AND MORE. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH BECAUSE OF DRIVER DISCOMFORT AND HAVING TO WARM UP THE TOUCH PANEL WITH MY HANDS, IN ORDER TO ALLOW IT TO STOP CHANGING BY ITSELF. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY AND IS VERY CONCERNING. AREAS OF THE TOUCH PANEL ARE UNRESPONSIVE AS WELL. I NOTICED THIS SOON AFTER MY VEHICLE RECIEVED AN OVER-THE-AIR UPDATE (A FEW MONTHS AGO). THIS OCCURRED JUST AFTER MY VEHICLE REACHED THE 100K MILE MARK WHICH WAS THE WARRANTY LIMIT ON THE COMPONENT. MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 111,900 MILES ON ITS ODOMETER.

NHTSA ID

11399662

Incident

Mar 7, 2021

ON 7/13/17 MY A/C FDIM MODULE WAS REPLACED FOR FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING THE DEFECTIVE UNIT WOULD TURN ITSELF ON IN THE AIR CONDITIONING MODE AND BEGIN ON THE COOLEST DIGITAL SETTING THEN PROGRESSIVELY ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE UNTIL IT REACHED IT HIGHEST POINT. I TRIED SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE TOUCH SCREEN OFF BUT THE UNIT KEPT TURNING THE A/C ON AND WOULD HAVE HARMED THE A/C COMPRESSOR. IT WAS SUMMER TIME AND THE HEAT ON HIGH AND WAS UNCONTROLLABLE WAS NOT A GOOD SITUATION.THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE LINCOLN DEALERSHIP TO FIND THAT THE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE. SINCE THE LINCOLN MKS WAS A CERTIFIED CAR, IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT NO COST TO ME. HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS NEW UNIT COULD FAIL IN THE FUTURE WITH NO WARRANTY LEFT ON THE VEHICLE AT ABOUT $1400.00 OR MORE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE HAS BEEN ANOTHER CASE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THERE MAY BE OTHERS THAT I AM NOT AWARE OF. I AM JUST COMMUNICATING MY ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE AT ONLY 33,308 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11395558

Incident

Jul 13, 2017

Mileage

33,308 mi

HVAC CONTROLS TURNS ITSELF OFF, CAUSING WINDSHEILD TO FOG UP.

NHTSA ID

11388143

Incident

Nov 1, 2019

Mileage

155,000 mi

THE CONTROL FOR TEMPERATURE IN CAR AT ANY TIME CAN GO TO MAXIMUM HEAT WHILE DRIVING. IT IS UNBEARABLE INSIDE OF THE CAR NOT GOOD FOR MY ELDER MOM WHEN IT HAPPENS AS IT IS TOO HOT IN CAR

NHTSA ID

11372765

Incident

Jun 12, 2020

Mileage

80,000 mi

THE POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL WHEN IT HAPPENS. VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL, ISSUE # 2 TEMPERATURE CONTROL GOES FROM SET TEMPERATURE TO FULL HEAT UNASSISTED. YOU CANNOT TURN THE HIGH TEMPERATURE SETTING OFF. IT IS UNBEARABLE TO DRIVE IN CAR WITH HEAT ON FULL BLAST. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES CAN HAPPEN IN MOTION OR WHEN STOPPED

NHTSA ID

11372761

Incident

Oct 15, 2020

Mileage

90,000 mi

EVERY RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2013 LINCOLN MKS I HAVE WRONG WITH MY VEHICLES. BUT WHEN I CALL TO HAVE IT SERVICED THEY TELL ME MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS, BUT YET MY VEHICLE HAS ALL THE RECALL PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ID

11361092

Incident

Sep 25, 2020

Mileage

100,000 mi

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM (FCIM) THAT CAUSES THE TEMPERATURE TO RUN UP TO MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE. IT CANNOT BE SHUT OFF. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE WITH EXTREMELY ELEVATED TEMPERATURES IN THE CAR YOU ARE VERY LIABLE TO FALL ASLEEP. OR TRY TO REDUCE THE TEMP BY BANGING ON THE CONTROLS, THIS MAKES YOU VERY DISTRACTED. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS WHENEVER THE CAR IS RUNNING, IN MOTION OR STOPPED.

NHTSA ID

11351164

Incident

Aug 21, 2020

Mileage

70,000 mi

AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, DEFECTIVE FCIM (FRONT CONTROLS INTERFACE MODULE) RESULTING IN TEMPERATURE SET TO ALL THE WAY HI/MAX FAN, CREATING CABIN TEMPERATURES EXCEEDING 90 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. TURNING OFF THE AC SYSTEM OR REDUCING THE TEMPERATURE DOES NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. PERFORMING A RESET OF THE CAR'S SYNC SYSTEM DOES NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT, GENERATING AT LEAST 3 NHTSA COMPLAINTS AS WELL AS A TSB. IT CREATES A HAZARDOUS CONDITION WHEN TRANSPORTING VULNERABLE RIDERS SUCH AS INFANTS AND THE ELDERLY (THOSE SENSITIVE TO HEAT), AS WELL AS INTERFERING WITH THE CAR'S DEFOGGING MECHANISM REDUCING VISIBILITY UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES AND CREATING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ID

11270818

Incident

Oct 24, 2019

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A SALVAGED TITLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF DRAIN WAS CLOGGED AND CAUSED WATER TO DRAIN INTO THE PANELS, WHICH DAMAGED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND AIR CONDITIONING. IN ADDITION, AN UNKNOWN SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS. ONE MECHANIC REMOVED THE PANELS AND DRAINED THE WATER, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11244246

Incident

Aug 2, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

THE HEATING SYSTEM FOR THE CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY TURN UP TO 90 DEGREE, ALL ON ITS OWN. I AM UNABLE TO SHUT IT OFF, OR TURN IT DOWN. THIS IS ES[SPECIALLY DANGEROUS WITH THE DEFOGGER.

NHTSA ID

11186718

Incident

Jan 31, 2019

[XXX] DIED AS WELL AS 30 OTHERS LIKE GUINEE PIGS FOR BIG AUTO PROFIT OVER SAFETY. THEY HAD THE CHANCE TO REGULATE IN 2011 AND FAILED THANKS [XXX] CELL [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11098615

Incident

Jun 15, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS PARENTS DIED DUE TO CARBON MONOXIDE INTAKE CAUSED BY THE PUSH TO START FEATURE NOT SHUTTING OFF. THERE WERE NO WARNING SOUNDS OR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED THAT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A LACK OF SHUT OFF FEATURES AND AUDIBLE SOUNDS CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. ....UPDATED 03-31-16 *BF UPDATED 07/10/2017*JS *TR

NHTSA ID

10839042

Incident

Jun 15, 2015

Mileage

30,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS AND ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN SHORTLY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,344.

NHTSA ID

10821394

Incident

Jan 12, 2016

Mileage

36,344 mi

THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR MAKE, MODEL, & YEAR TO FIX A PROBLEM WHICH WOULD LEAD TO A FIRE. HOWEVER, THE RECALL NOTICE WAS NEVER RECEIVED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY, FIDUCIARY, HAVE DENIED THE CLAIM AS THEY DO NOT COVER FIRES CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10627081

Incident

Jul 2, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MY-TOUCH SYSTEM ENABLED THE MY-KEY SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 59 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE MY-TOUCH SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY REBOOTED AND CAUSED THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,500. *TR

NHTSA ID

10512862

Incident

Jan 16, 2013

Mileage

9,300 mi

THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ABILITY TO ACCELERATE WHILE OPERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THIS FORCED THE OPERATOR TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE NAVIGATING THROUGH TRAFFIC. THE POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION/REDUCED POWER (RTT) WRENCH SYMBOL ILLUMINATED IN ADDITION TO THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED THE OPERATOR ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE UNDER ITS OWN POWER EVERY 15 MINUTES. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES THE VEHICLE RESPONDED TO THE ACCELERATOR AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE OPERATOR'S RESIDENCE. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY LOST ELECTRICAL POWER FORCING A FAIL SAFE MODE THAT DISCONNECTED THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL. *TR *JS

NHTSA ID

10472106

Incident

Aug 19, 2012

Mileage

458 mi