RoadVitals

2012 Lincoln Mkt Steering Problems

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

Data refreshed

Steering 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.
19
Latest Sep 11, 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.
70%
of 27 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.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Lincoln Mkt submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 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 steering

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

Steering
Filed Sep 11, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11686723
Incident
Aug 11, 2025
Mileage
200,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 5, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11629042
Incident
Oct 1, 2024
Mileage
12,980 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 22, 2024

The car had a recall, and they worked on it. A few years later the power steering went out while driving and almost had an accident. They did not replace the steering gear they only worked on the steering module. If they had replaced the steering gear, it may have solved the whole problem. They know there was a problem and did not do their best to solve it. There may be thousands of vehicles waiting for the time when there could be a serious accident due to Ford's negligence. I was moving slow when the steering quit and may have saved my life or others in over vehicles. I was told it is over $4,000 to repair. I cannot afford the repair. I am without a vehicle to drive. I need it for doctors' appointments.

NHTSA ID
11621244
Incident
Jul 22, 2024
Steering
Filed Aug 13, 2024

The recall work was done on 10/27/2015. Ford Lincoln knows there is a problem with the power steering. They will not redo the work that needs to be done properly because of their faulty power steering module. They did not replace the module; they only made an adjustment to it. I almost had an accident because of the faulty power steering. When it went out it is almost impossible to turn the steering wheel. This problem could have created a serious accident with another vehicle, property or even a pedestrian. Anyone owning one of these vehicles could have the same serious problem. I am on limited income and cannot afford to have the problem repaired. I should not have to pay for the repair since Ford Lincoln knows it is a problem. What happened to me was when I was making a turn around a corner the power steering when out and I almost hit a car. I struggled to get it into a parking lot. The driver of the other car followed me in to curse me out. I told him what happened. He got in and checked it and saw it was not working properly. He was nice to offer to drive it to my home a short distance away. His wife followed us in his car. He was strong enough to turn the wheel. He told me to never drive it again that it was dangerous to drive. Ford should correct the problem since it is dangerous when it suddenly goes out.

NHTSA ID
11608361
Incident
Jul 29, 2024
Steering
Filed Dec 6, 2022

The contact's grandmother owned a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that when his grandmother was starting the vehicle, she experienced a loss of power steering assist. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The contact's grandmother was then offered and agreed to a trade-in. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.

NHTSA ID
11496224
Incident
Nov 10, 2022
Mileage
45,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 1, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while making a turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact drove at a slow speed to his residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle was over 150,000 miles and NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (Steering) would not be honored. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and stated that the recall letter was sent to the previous owner and since the vehicle was over 150,000 the repairs would be out of pocket. The failure mileage was approximately 151,566.

NHTSA ID
11419142
Incident
May 28, 2021
Mileage
151,566 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 8, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AFTER REFUELING, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLETON LINCOLN LOCATED AT 1610 WAUKEGAN AVE, GLENVIEW, IL 60025, (888)214-2155, WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS EXCEEDED FOR INCLUSION IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS EXCEEDED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR THE FREE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300,000.

NHTSA ID
11327838
Incident
Jun 4, 2020
Mileage
300,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 7, 2020

I STARTED MY 2012 LINCOLN MKT 3.5L THE STEERING WAS HARD TO TURN AND THE DASHBOARD ERROR MESSAGE READS 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. I GOOGLE IT AND IT SHOWED THAT THE 'POWER STEERING ASSIT FAULT ERROR MESSAGE WAS ON RECALL ON JUNE 2015. I TOWED THE CAR TO LINCOLN ON 1610 WAUKEGAN AVE GLENVIEW IL, THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID AFTER THE DIAGNOSIS THAT THE STEERING GEAR SHOULD BE REPLACED. I SAID OKAY THINKING THAT SINCE THE ERROR MESSAGE WAS ON RECALL IT WILL BE FREE. BUT WHEN I WAS PICKING THE CAR I WAS CHARGED $2806.21. MY QUESTION IS SHOULD I PAY FOR THIS RECALL REPAITS?

NHTSA ID
11327594
Incident
Jun 3, 2020
Mileage
300,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 1, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED HIS WIFE CONTACTED KRIEGERS FORD LOCATED AT 3205 NORTH HIGHWAY 61, MUSCATINE, IA 52761, (563) 263-5324, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE MILEAGE EXCEEDED THE 150,000 MILES LIMIT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR THE FREE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,000.

NHTSA ID
11326824
Incident
May 22, 2020
Mileage
181,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 30, 2019

LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE ENTERING A HIGHWAY. BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN.

NHTSA ID
11292108
Incident
Dec 30, 2019
Mileage
142,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 21, 2019

TWICE I HAVE RECEIVED THE MESSAGE 'POWER STEERING FAULT' WHEN STARTING MY CAR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT MOVE OR IS HARD TO MOVE. LUCKILY I HAVEN'T BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED. I HAVE SEEN RECALLS FOR OTHER VEHICLES REGARDING THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11245604
Incident
Aug 17, 2019
Mileage
69,950 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 13, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKT. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ACTON FORD (76 POWDER MILL RD, ACTON, MA 01720, (978) 897-7000). THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENT FOR THE RECALL; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 3,000 MILES OVER THE RECALL WARRANTY DEADLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,600. *DT *TR *DT CONTACT STATED SHE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL.*JB

NHTSA ID
11243520
Incident
Aug 8, 2019
Mileage
153,600 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jan 25, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11172181
Incident
Jan 25, 2019
Mileage
84,445 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 17, 2019

WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE OLD SISTEM SHUT DOWN WITH OUT WARNING MAINTENANCE ALMOST HIT TWO CARS BEGGING ME JUST THE TIME TO STOP MI CAR TURN ENGINE OFF AND ON I JUST FEEL INSECURE I USE THIS CAR TO DO UBER AND LIFT HOW I CAN WORK LIKE THIS WHEN I TAKE LOOK ON INTERNET FOUND THIS PAGE AND LOT COMPLAIN LIKE THIS TO FORD COMPANY

NHTSA ID
11170554
Incident
Jan 17, 2019
Mileage
56,890 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Apr 30, 2018

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST

NHTSA ID
11091063
Incident
Apr 4, 2018
Mileage
91,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 5, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VETERAN'S FORD (3724 VETERANS MEMORIAL BOULEVARD, METAIRIE, LOUISIANA 70002) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 07/18/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 08/08/2017*JS

NHTSA ID
10993144
Incident
May 26, 2017
Mileage
115,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 29, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10778403
Incident
Jul 7, 2015
Steering
Filed Sep 29, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10778396
Incident
Jul 8, 2015
Steering
Filed Aug 20, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKT THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 60-75 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,500.

NHTSA ID
10471553
Incident
May 11, 2012
Mileage
33 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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