RoadVitals

2013 Lincoln Mks Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
24
Latest Sep 15, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
17%
of 141 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
17

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 Lincoln Mks submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 24 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
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
ElectricalEngineInterior & seats
Filed Mar 30, 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
EngineVisibility
Filed Sep 6, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while attempting to close the front driver's side door, she heard a beeping noise. The contact then stated that when she placed the shifter in reverse(R), the screen failed to display an image and the defogger failed to operate. Additionally, the contact stated that she noticed that the vehicle was overheating and that the hood was discolored. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that when she placed the gear shifter into reverse(R) the defogger failed to operate as needed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ID
11483018
Incident
Feb 10, 2022
Mileage
65,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 5, 2021

Sudden loss of power and deceleration. This happens intermittently and sets a code P2111 every time. Can drive for days between incidents and never know when it will happen. Gives no warning just shuts down immediately. This is very dangerous and my wife almost got hit yesterday in traffic due to malfunction

NHTSA ID
11435536
Incident
Oct 4, 2021
EngineFuel system
Filed Feb 9, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER BALISE FORD OF CAPE COD (90 HIGH SCHOOL RD EXT, HYANNIS, MA 02601, (508)815-4007) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V621000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,320.

NHTSA ID
11395411
Incident
Jan 9, 2021
Mileage
73,320 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Feb 6, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COLD START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SENTRY LINCOLN 940 BOSTON TURNPIKE SHREWSBURY, MA 01545 (508) 281-8171, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE PROGNOSIS WAS THAT THE FUEL CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V621000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.*BF*JB

NHTSA ID
11307415
Incident
Feb 4, 2020
Mileage
65,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 27, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT HEARD A TAPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE NOISE WORSENED OVER TIME. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HINES PARK LINCOLN (40601 ANN ARBOR RD, PLYMOUTH, MI 48170, (734) 453-2424) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND OTHER RELATED COMPONENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN AN INITIAL ESTIMATE OF $1,800; HOWEVER, THE DEALER FORGOT TO CHARGE THE CONTACT FOR AN UNKNOWN PART. THE TOTAL WAS UPDATED TO $2,300. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. UPON RESEARCHING THE MECHANIC'S NOTES, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS DAMAGED WHILE IT WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED A $500 DISCOUNT FOR THE REPAIR. THE REPRESENTATIVE ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,500. *DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11258621
Incident
Mar 1, 2019
Mileage
72,500 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 28, 2019

THERE IS A LEAK COMING FROM THE WATER PUMP WHICH IS IN THE ENGINE. IT'S ON AVERAGE A $1700 FIX WHICH IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MULTIPLE MECHANICS IS THAT IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT THE FORD DID FOR THAT YEAR. MY MECHANIC SAID HE'S BEEN FIXING THE SAME ISSUE ON FORD ESCAPE, LINCOLN MKZ, LINCOLN MKS, AND SOME FORD TRUCKS THAT ARE 2013. MY CAR IS BELOW 75,000 MILES AND THIS IS TYPICALLY A FIX THAT DOESN'T OCCUR UNTIL 120,000 MILES. IF THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAN FORD SHOULD BE PAYING FOR IT NOT ME. THE CAR IS NOT OLD NOR DOES IT HAVE A HIGH MILES. THIS OUTRAGEOUS

NHTSA ID
11223157
Incident
Jun 20, 2019
Mileage
71,000 mi
EngineFuel systemSteering
Filed Mar 20, 2019
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED GREY SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FUEL LEAK. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ID
11190225
Incident
Nov 22, 2018
Mileage
84,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 26, 2018
2 deaths reported

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE VEHICLE OWNERS OF A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE CONTACT'S PARENTS LEFT THE VEHICLE UNATTENDED AND ENTERED THEIR HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH KEYLESS ENTRY THAT DID NOT CHIME TO ALERT THE DRIVER THAT THE ENGINE REMAINED ACTIVE. AS A RESULT, CARBON MONOXIDE FILLED THE GARAGE AND THE HOME, CAUSING FATAL INJURIES TO THE CONTACT'S PARENTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, BUT NO RESULTS WERE AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *DT UPDATED 12/03/18*JB

NHTSA ID
11142853
Incident
Jun 15, 2015
Mileage
45,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 5, 2018
2 deaths reported

KEYLESS IGNITION DEATHS, RINA & PASQUALE FONTANINI PASS RULES & REGULATIONS ON KEYLESS AUTOS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

NHTSA ID
11133542
Incident
Jun 15, 2015
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 29, 2018
1 injury reported2 deaths reported

[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
Engine
Filed Jan 25, 2018
1 injury reported2 deaths reported

SAFETY FEATURES FOR KEYLESS IGNITION EXIT FROM CAR FAILURE. NO AUDIBLE & NO ENGINE SHUT OFF 2 DEATHS

NHTSA ID
11064843
Incident
Jun 15, 2015
Engine
Filed Apr 6, 2017
2 deaths reported

MY PARENTS DIED DUE TO NHTSA NOT PASSING REGULATIONS ON KEYLESS IGNITION CAR SYSTEMS..(GOOGLE FONTANINI KEYLESS IGNITION DEATH) FOR FULL STORY. THIS WAS PREVENTABLE AND MORE DEATHS HAVE HAPPEN SINCE. WAKE UP AND PASS REGULATIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10970957
Incident
Jun 15, 2015
Engine
Filed Sep 12, 2016
1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH BUTTON START FAILED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OFF WHEN IT WAS STILL ON, CAUSING CARBON MOXIDE TO FILL THE GARAGE. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER BECAME ILL DUE TO THE CARBON MONOXIDE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ALARM THAT ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON NOR DID IT HAVE A TIMER THAT WILL SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AUTOMATICALLY IF LEFT ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,900.

NHTSA ID
10905728
Incident
Aug 16, 2016
Mileage
18,900 mi
Engine
Filed May 18, 2016
2 deaths reported

PLEASE PASS SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR KEYLESS IGNITIONS. BOTH MY PARENTS DIED FROM THIS, YOU HAD THE CHANCE IN 2011 TO DO IT AND 6 MORE PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THIS MANNER.

NHTSA ID
10865691
Incident
Jun 15, 2015
Engine
Filed Mar 30, 2016
2 deaths reported

MY PARENTS DIED FROM KEYLESS IGNITION DEATH 6/15/2015. THEY BOUGHT THIS CAR AND WERE NOT TOLD THAT IT HAD NO SAFETY FEATURES LIKE LOUD AUDIBLE OR ENGINE SHUT OFF ONCE THEY WALKED AWAY WITH THE KEY-FOB. MAKE NEW REGULATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!

NHTSA ID
10852360
Incident
Jun 15, 2015
Mileage
300,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE LOW ENGINE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA ID
10846385
Incident
Mar 11, 2016
Mileage
18,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 23, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FLAMES WERE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ UPDATED 01/27/16*LJ UPDATED 03/04/16.*JB UPDATED 05/21/18*JB

NHTSA ID
10785588
Incident
Oct 5, 2015
Mileage
18,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 25, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V227000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS SCHEDULED TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

NHTSA ID
10553690
Incident
Nov 24, 2013
Mileage
11,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 28, 2013

I READ IN THE PAPER THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING FORD F150 TRUCKS WITH THE ECOBOOST ENGINE FOR SUDDEN STALLING PROBLEMS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES WITH MY 2013 LINCOLN MKS WITH THE ECOBOOST ENGINE. PREVIOUSLY I OWNED A 2010 LINCOLN MKS WITH THE ECOBOOST ENGINE THAT ALSO OCCASIONALLY EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10513781
Incident
May 22, 2013
Mileage
11,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 15, 2013

HAPPENED 2 - 3 TIMES. ENGINE WILL SPUTTER/DIE AFTER COMING TO NEAR STOP AND THEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC FLOW OR MAKE A TURN THROUGH TRAFFIC ONTO A STREET. CAR WILL START UP AGAIN AFTER PRESSING GAS PEDAL NUMEROUS TIMES. VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS AS CAR DIES IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC .I WAS TOLD AT FORD DEALER THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE INVOLVING A VERY EXPENSIVE AUTOMOBILE. FORD NEEDS TO BE FORCED TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND EITHER FIX THE PROBLEM OR REFUND THE PURCHASE PRICE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10512227
Incident
May 15, 2013
Mileage
3,019 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 23, 2012

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

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .