2013 Lincoln Mkt Owner Complaints

Rear camera requires replacement approx. every 3 years Images start getting reversed or upside down, then very grainy and then the camera completely fails altogether. When the camera fails you get a warning stating " Camera is unavailable please contact the dealership" I have put 2 cameras in the vehicle, both were Motorcraft parts purchased at the dealership. When I purchased the vehicle the dealership that sold the car to me indicated they had replaced the camera in July of 2022 with an aftermarket unit that failed on me in November of 2022. These cameras frequently fail, it is widely reported across all Ford/Lincoln vehicles. Edge, Explorer, Flex, MKT, MKX being the most widely spoken about.

NHTSA ID

11697369

Incident

Sep 14, 2024

B and C pillar trim panels have come loose requiring replacement when they fall off. One completely detached while I was driving on the interstate and was run over by a vehicle behind me.

NHTSA ID

11697365

Incident

Oct 1, 2024

I own a 2013 Lincoln MKT (VIN: [XXX] ). The backup camera intermittently fails when the vehicle is placed in reverse. The screen will either go completely black or show a distorted/blurred image, and it happens unpredictably. When the failure occurs, there is no usable rear visibility through the camera. This presents a significant safety hazard, especially when backing out of driveways, parking lots, and areas where pedestrians or children may be behind the vehicle. Lincoln has already issued a recall for the same backup camera malfunction on later model-year MKT vehicles, and the symptoms on my vehicle are identical to those in the recall description. However, my VIN is not currently included. I am requesting that NHTSA review this issue for potential recall expansion, as the same defect appears to affect additional production years. I have video documentation available upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11696744

Incident

Dec 1, 2024

Both rear driver and passenger side toe links were replaced at Colonial Ford in Connecticut due to the recall. The driver side is fine, the defective part installed at Colonial Ford is the passenger side. This should be covered by Colonial Ford, as I'm at no fault for the time it took to find this defect which is not apparent until you place the vehicle on a lift and perform a professional inspection. There are no warning lamps or messages to alert the owner there is a defective part that could cause a life threatening accident with a replaced suspension part. Both Lincoln and Colonial Ford state there's nothing they can do because the replacement recall part is out of warranty, 1yr./12,000. I'd driven less than 3,000 miles when the defective replacement was found during a multi-point inspection at a different dealership. Also, the left rear toe link is fine, which proves the problem is with that specific part. Now I'm stuck with a future out of pocket replacement cost and I'm driven around with a recalled part that's more dangerous than the original. NHTSA and Lincoln should hold dealerships accountable when a life or death situation is created with an installed replacement part during a recall. Not wait for a person to get killed in an accident or a lawsuit to correct a recall replacement part defect.

NHTSA ID

11677070

Incident

Jul 29, 2025

I purchased a used vehicle and had an open safety recall for the rear tow link replacement do to the fact that it could lose steering control and crash if not replaced so I scheduled an appointment with my local dealership to have them replaced I took it in on a Friday they called me to come pick it up asked me to return the following Friday for an alignment so I did after the following Friday's alignment my steering wheel was sideways when it was going forward it was a bad alignment so I call them back up and explain the situation and that they needed to fix it to which they called back and left a message saying that it was not part of the recall and that I would have to pay for it out of pocket which is completely incorrect as I have also confirmed with another dealership that it is part of the recall after discussing that with them they took it back in they said they'd look at it according to the paperwork they gave me when I picked it up yet again it said that he had clocked in for 2 minutes so I obviously was concerned with the alignment so I called another dealership and asked if I could take it into them. Long story shorts the safety recall had never been performed at all!

NHTSA ID

11624612

Incident

Oct 4, 2024

While traveling out of state, the latch on the passenger’s side door would not latch. Doing a quick google search, we found that in 2015 and 2020a recall was issued for a broken pawl spring tab. We did not own the car in 2015 and never received a notice for 2020. Since the door was unable to latch, I had to physically hold door while my husband drove down the interstate. We contacted our local Lincoln dealership and scheduled an appointment to be inspected. We were advised that we would have to pay for the repairs and to contact Ford. Ford was contacted and advised that the extended warranty had expired and they were not responsible. We never received a recall notice. We have appt October 8 with Lincoln dealership to be repaired since you’re unable to drive car without door flying open.

NHTSA ID

11618618

Incident

Oct 6, 2020

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering wheel was seized. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact researched online and discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

NHTSA ID

11586873

Incident

Apr 1, 2024

Mileage

121,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic signal, the light changed, and the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the contact attempted to turn the steering wheel and the steering wheel was firm. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed and determined that the steering rack and pinion gears needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

NHTSA ID

11585378

Incident

Apr 18, 2024

Mileage

111,000 mi

I applied my hazards when pulling over and once it was safe to resume, I went to turn off my hazards and they would not turn off. I tried shutting off the vehicle and restarting but nothing was clearing it. The button was not stuck either. After about 20 mins of driving with the hazards, I tried the button again and the hazards shut off. I believe there is an issue with the front control panel.

NHTSA ID

11555955

Incident

Nov 13, 2023

I was driving and the power steering went out while driving. The power steering warning light came on as the steering went out. It was extremely difficult to steer the car. I was fortunate to keep my car under control and stop. Upon investigating how to fix the issue, I discovered the power steering in this vehicle is "electric power steering" thus no way for me to fix it by adding fluid, etc. I was away from home and found an independent garage which told me this seems to be a common problem in this year vehicle and that I had to take it to a Ford Dealership for repair. Upon investigating there are many complaints of this occurring in Lincoln MKT cars. I called Ford Motor Company and there has been no action by the company to alert owners of this and to fix it. This could have had serious consequences because it occurred while the car was in motion.

NHTSA ID

11548424

Incident

Sep 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the power steering assist and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact immediately felt the vehicle lose power steering assist, and the contact and pulled over. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle to reset the power steering functionality. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the power steering assist and rack and pinion and steering gear needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic referred the contact to a dealer; however, vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 207,000.

NHTSA ID

11526606

Incident

Jun 10, 2023

Mileage

207,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to drive out of a parking space, the power steering fault message was displayed on the instrument panel. The steering became difficult to operate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

NHTSA ID

11522506

Incident

May 14, 2022

Mileage

65,000 mi

the electric power steering in my 2013 Lincoln MKT fails to operate.. making this vehicle very dangerous to drive.Ford has issued a recall 15s18 for this problem, but they say my car is not included in the recall. how can that be, I have the same problem on my car... why isn't my car included?

NHTSA ID

11487080

Incident

Sep 28, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was seized. The driver restarted the vehicle and the steering functionality returned and operated as designed. The electronic power steering fault message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.

NHTSA ID

11486104

Incident

Sep 12, 2022

Mileage

54,000 mi

while driving my 2013 Lincoln MKT the steering became impossible to navigate the vehicle. Luckily we were able to get out of traffic and shut the car down. after letting it sit for a few minutes we restarted the car and it was working okay.but, the outcome could have been disastrous. being unable to steer the car in traffic could have caused an serious accident.

NHTSA ID

11485861

Incident

Aug 25, 2022

For a number of years, since purchasing vehicle new, the "Power Steering Assist Fault" light would come on upon engine startup. The MKT had only about 20,000 miles on it. I had NO POWER STEERING. Per different Lincoln mechanics, the "remedy" was to turn the car off & then restart it to clear light & restore power steering. This worked every time until this past week when after several attempts resulted in still NO POWER STEERING. I was forced to drive for 3 hrs back home with No Power Steering. I've called (2) two different Lincoln dealerships, only to be told this isn't covered under recall R15S18 & would cost approx $3,000 to repair. Why wasn't this VIN# part of the Recall? I called Ford/Lincoln & was told NHTSA decides which vehicle VIN#s are recalled, BUT, when I called NHTSA they told me specific Vehicle VIN# Recalls are designated by the Manf'r. WHAT?? NHTSA told me specific paperwork is on the site stated Manf'r responsibilty on VIN# Recalls. This Steering Problem should be repaired by Lincoln at NO Charge ! As a side note, I have NEVER received a Recall Notice on any item listed on the NHTSA site related to my 2013 Lincoln MKT, nor can I find a copy of a Recall notice specifically for a 2013 Lincoln MKT on the NHTSA website. Even though the 2013 MKT is listed on the actual Ford/Lincoln Recall Notice #, letters are only addressed to other Ford/Lincoln models

NHTSA ID

11482186

Incident

Aug 21, 2022

Power Steering Assist light came on on startup, unable to steer car. Lincoln reports steering rack needs to be replaced, and our car is not covered under the existing recall.

NHTSA ID

11476935

Incident

Jul 27, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The contact pulled safely off to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that the steering wheel became locked. The contact turned the vehicle on and off however, the steering wheel remained locked. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA ID

11468703

Incident

May 28, 2022

Mileage

135,000 mi

driving at 15mph, steering locked and was very difficult to get out of traffic. power steering assist fault came on AFTER the failing. attempted to restart the car several times , power steering never re-engaged

NHTSA ID

11462979

Incident

May 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact spoke to a local dealer and was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

NHTSA ID

11450987

Incident

Feb 4, 2022

Mileage

132,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while exiting out of a parking spot, the steering wheel locked up and would not turn. The power steering fault warning light was illuminated. The contact shifted the vehicle into PARK and restarted the vehicle for the power steering functionality to return. The contact called a local dealer and was informed that the failure might be related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact was informed that there would be an out-of-pocket cost to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

NHTSA ID

11443663

Incident

Dec 13, 2021

Mileage

63,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving at slow speeds, the power steering became inoperable. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact called and made the local dealer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11439988

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

The power steering assist failure began showing up as warning light when started and power steering failed. Restarting the car removed the warning light and the power steering worked again. The restart failed to clear the problem last week and I brought the vehicle into the dealership. I had found on several sites that vehicle in question is included in a Ford recall along with several other vehicle years, makes and models. Specifically, my car is sited stating 2011 to 2015 Lincoln MKT with any engine. The recall calls for replace the steering box and the assist control modular depending on the code the service person found. If the code showed differently, than a reset is to be preformed. Both of these at no charge to the owner. I advised the dealer of these sites that showed the recall. Ford has denied my VIN Number as being included in the recall. This comes despite the part that has failed is the exact same part described in the recall. The dealer states the repair will cost $3,200. Lincoln has expressed no concern that should the repair be unaffordable to owners the vehicles with this failure the vehicle is drivable, however without power steering a major safety issue is born. Lincoln claims only the part that was made in a certain plant will be covered. I understand them wanting to limit their damages by saying parts made by whoever their agent was for that group of parts have a defect and therefore the recall is limited to those with parts made by that agent. It would seem prudent if not just obvious if failures occur beyond cars with parts from the plant they have restricted the recall, that it be opened to all the parts made by any agent. Its easy to think that its not the way the part was made but the fail lies in the design or use of the part. And therefore the car manufacture is responsible for any vehicle that had the identical sister to the recall part installed. This is a matter of geographic part plant locations and not limited isolated failures.

NHTSA ID

11432928

Incident

Sep 2, 2021

This vehicle's steering gear is not functioning properly. It goes in & out, causing the power steering to fail which is an extreme safety risk. This was issue was under a recall, 15S18, but this specific vin was not listed. We are asking that a closer look be taken & this vin number be added.

NHTSA ID

11432441

Incident

Aug 28, 2021

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving 5 mph, the power steering failed, making the vehicle difficult to steer. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer and diagnosed with the power steering needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that the Vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 99,286.

NHTSA ID

11420442

Incident

Jun 4, 2021

Mileage

99,286 mi