2012 Lincoln Mkt Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Lincoln Mkt, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering1963.3%
- Engine310.0%
- Electrical26.7%
- Body & structure26.7%
- Powertrain (other)26.7%
- Fuel system13.3%
- Driver assistance13.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed, the Service Advancetrac warning light was illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed with steering rack and pinion failure. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the repair would be covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000(Steering); however, the contact was later informed that the recall had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer scheduled an appointment with the dealer on the contact's behalf; however, the dealer declined to perform the repair. The contact was informed that the repair was at the dealer's discretion because the recall had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the power steering system failure warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to maneuver the steering wheel as needed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 12,980.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that the twin-turbo became inoperable. The contact stated that oil was entering the exhaust and the contact was unable to see other vehicles. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and referred him to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.
MY 2012 LINCOLN MKT WITH THE 3.5L TWIN TURBO V6 ECOBOOST ENGINE IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PUMP AS THE 2013-2015 MKT MODELS THAT WERE PART OF RECALL CAMPAIGN #16S31. MY CAR WAS ALSO MANUFACTURED AT THE SAME OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY AND WITHIN THE DATES SPECIFIED. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE CAR STALLED AND THEN STOPPED SUDDENLY STOP AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. THERE WERE NO ALERTS OR INDICATORS ON THE DASH. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON, THE DASH LIT UP BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THERE WAS A LOT OF OIL UNDER THE CAR WHICH APPEARED TO SPILL OUT WHEN THE FUEL PUMP OVERHEATED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. I AM NOW BEING TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND TURBO CHARGERS. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR 7 MONTHS AND HAVE DRIVEN IT ONLY 7500 MILES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CAR HAD 2 FULL SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGES DURING THIS TIME. HOWEVER, THE LINCOLN MECHANIC TOLD MY WARRANTY COMPANY THAT THE ENGINE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO "OIL STARVATION" WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY INCORRECT. THE LACK OF OIL WAS DUE TO THE SPILLAGE AT THE TIME OF THE FUEL PUMP/ENGINE OVERHEATING. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN BECAUSE THERE WERE NO ALERTS ON THE DASH AND THE CAR APPEARED TO BE DRIVING WELL PRIOR TO THIS. LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS ON A CITY STREET AND WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS SUDDENLY HAPPENED WHILE I WAS MAKING A TURN. SINCE MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN SEPT 2011 IN OAKVILLE I AM CONVINCED THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN THAT I MENTIONED ABOVE. THERE WERE FEW MECHANICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE 2012 AND 2013 LINCOLN MKT ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAD THE SAME ECOBOOST ENGINE. A LOT OF OTHER 2012 MKT OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE AND I BELIEVE THAT 2012 MKTS WITH THIS ENGINE SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE CAMPAIGN. I DON'T THINK THAT LINCOLN WAS MAKING 2013 MODELS IN SEPT 2011 SO MAYBE CLERICAL ERROR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING COLUMN MOTOR GRINDS AND CLICKS WHEN EXTENDING AND RETRACTING. THIS OCCURS WHEN STARTING AND TURNING OFF THE CAR. STEERING WHEEL CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. IT WON'T EXTEND FULLY, OR MOVE UP AND DOWN.
POWER LIFTGATE OPENED WITHOUT COMMAND WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT COMMAND AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO INTERIOR CONTROL OR KEYFOB TO CLOSE AND HAD TO CLOSE MANUALLY. LIFTGATE OPENED ON THREE ADDITIONAL OCCASIONS WITHIN 45 MINS OF THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. THE THIRD OCCURRENCE RESULTED IN THE LIFTGATE BEING DAMAGED, (REPAIR EST AT $2,500), WHILE ENTERING AN UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE. IN ALL OCCURRENCES, THE LIFTGATE HAD TO BE CLOSED MANUALLY AS IT WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE INTERIOR CONTROL OR KEYFOB. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL LINCOLN DEALERSHIP WHERE IT REMAINED FOR 42 DAYS WITHOUT BEING REPAIRED. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONDITION AND REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE. FORD OGC DENIED CLAIM TO REPAIR RESULTING DAMAGE TO DUE TO MALFUNCTION. OWNERS OPINION IS THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT WHICH COULD RESULT IN CARGO FALLING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR MULTI VEHICLE PILE-UP DUE TO DRIVERS ATTEMPTING TO AVOID OR COLLIDING WITH OBJECTS FALLING FROM THE VEHICLE IF THE LIFTGATE OPENS AGAIN WITHOUT COMMAND. FORD/LINCOLN CUSTOMER COMPLAINT CASE [XXX] FILED 16 OCT 12. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY, THE FRONT PORTION OF THE GLASS PANORAMIC ROOF SHATTERED WITHOUT RECEIVING ANY IMPACT. THERE WAS A VERY LOUD "POP" AND WHEN I PULLED OVER I DISCOVERED THE GLASS WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. NOTHING TO MY KNOWLEDGE IMPACTED THE ROOF.
POWER LIFTGATE OPENED WITHOUT COMMAND WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT COMMAND AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO INTERIOR CONTROL OR KEYFOB TO CLOSE AND HAD TO CLOSE MANUALLY. LIFTGATE OPENED ON THREE ADDITIONAL OCCASIONS WITHIN 45 MINS OF THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. THE THIRD OCCURRENCE RESULTED IN THE LIFTGATE BEING DAMAGED, (REPAIR EST AT $2,500), WHILE ENTERING AN UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE. IN ALL OCCURRENCES, THE LIFTGATE HAD TO BE CLOSED MANUALLY AS IT WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE INTERIOR CONTROL OR KEYFOB. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL LINCOLN DEALERSHIP WHERE IT REMAINED FOR 42 DAYS WITHOUT BEING REPAIRED. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONDITION AND REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE. FORD OGC DENIED CLAIM TO REPAIR RESULTING DAMAGE TO DUE TO MALFUNCTION. OWNERS OPINION IS THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT WHICH COULD RESULT IN CARGO FALLING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR MULTI VEHICLE PILE-UP DUE TO DRIVERS ATTEMPTING TO AVOID OR COLLIDING WITH OBJECTS FALLING FROM THE VEHICLE IF THE LIFTGATE OPENS AGAIN WITHOUT COMMAND. FORD/LINCOLN CUSTOMER COMPLAINT CASE [XXX] FILED 16 OCT 12. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS DRIVING HEARD ODD NOISES AND BURNT FLUID TRANSFER CASE WAS DEFECTIVE BOTH OF MY FORD AWD DID ECACT SAME THING.
MY 2013 LINCOLN MKT ENGINE CAN BE TURNED OFF WHILE IN DRIVE BY SIMPLY PUSHING THE " PUSH START BUTTON". THAT'S RIGHT THE CAR TURNS ITSELF OFF WHEN IN DRIVE IF ONE MISTAKENLY TOUCHES THE 'PUSH START BUTTON' USED TO START THE CAR! TO RESTART THE CAR ONE MUST PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND APPLY THE BRAKE. THIS OBVIOUSLY IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRAVELING ON ANY ROAD OR HIGHWAY AND WILL CERTAINLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. NOTE: I HAVE FOUND THE SAME SYMPTOM IN BOTH LINCOLN AND FORD CARS WITH THE PUSH START BUTTON OPTION. I RECENTLY DROVE A FORD EXPLORER AND FLEX, BOTH WITH THE PUSH BUTTON OPTION AND BOTH COULD CARS ENGINE COULD BE TURNED OFF WHILE THE CARS WERE IN DRIVE. IT DOES NOT TAKE MUCH PRESSURE TO CAUSE THIS FAILURE TO OCCUR. IN FACT A SLIGHT GLANCE OF YOUR HAND OR FINGER ON THE PUSH START BUTTON IS ALL IT TAKES. I HAVE CONTACT LINCOLN AND FORD BUT WITH NO RESPONSE. YOUR INTEREST IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 2012 LINCOLN MKT WITH THE 3.5L TWIN TURBO V6 ECOBOOST ENGINE IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PUMP AS THE 2013-2015 MKT MODELS THAT WERE PART OF RECALL CAMPAIGN #16S31. MY CAR WAS ALSO MANUFACTURED AT THE SAME OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY AND WITHIN THE DATES SPECIFIED. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE CAR STALLED AND THEN STOPPED SUDDENLY STOP AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. THERE WERE NO ALERTS OR INDICATORS ON THE DASH. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON, THE DASH LIT UP BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THERE WAS A LOT OF OIL UNDER THE CAR WHICH APPEARED TO SPILL OUT WHEN THE FUEL PUMP OVERHEATED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. I AM NOW BEING TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND TURBO CHARGERS. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR 7 MONTHS AND HAVE DRIVEN IT ONLY 7500 MILES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CAR HAD 2 FULL SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGES DURING THIS TIME. HOWEVER, THE LINCOLN MECHANIC TOLD MY WARRANTY COMPANY THAT THE ENGINE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO "OIL STARVATION" WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY INCORRECT. THE LACK OF OIL WAS DUE TO THE SPILLAGE AT THE TIME OF THE FUEL PUMP/ENGINE OVERHEATING. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN BECAUSE THERE WERE NO ALERTS ON THE DASH AND THE CAR APPEARED TO BE DRIVING WELL PRIOR TO THIS. LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS ON A CITY STREET AND WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS SUDDENLY HAPPENED WHILE I WAS MAKING A TURN. SINCE MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN SEPT 2011 IN OAKVILLE I AM CONVINCED THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN THAT I MENTIONED ABOVE. THERE WERE FEW MECHANICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE 2012 AND 2013 LINCOLN MKT ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAD THE SAME ECOBOOST ENGINE. A LOT OF OTHER 2012 MKT OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE AND I BELIEVE THAT 2012 MKTS WITH THIS ENGINE SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE CAMPAIGN. I DON'T THINK THAT LINCOLN WAS MAKING 2013 MODELS IN SEPT 2011 SO MAYBE CLERICAL ERROR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .