RoadVitals

2013 Lincoln Mkz 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.
16
Latest Feb 12, 2026
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.
15%
of 108 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 2013 Lincoln Mkz submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 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 Feb 12, 2026

I was slowing down to take a turn and I see an error message saying “power steering assist failure”. And steering went stiff..

NHTSA ID
11717680
Incident
Feb 12, 2026
Steering
Filed Dec 16, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering was vibrating and jiggling. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loosened near the gear housing. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 63,800.

NHTSA ID
11630952
Incident
Dec 13, 2024
Mileage
63,800 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 15, 2024

Power steering fault, Hard to steering.

NHTSA ID
11608685
Incident
Aug 1, 2024
Steering
Filed Jul 16, 2024

When turn and more specifically u-turns or sharp turns, the steering is very hard. I noticed that there was a recall on power steering for the Lincoln MKZ 2013 for cars registered in Iowa. However, Lincoln is saying that my car is not covered.

NHTSA ID
11602742
Incident
May 13, 2024
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Feb 20, 2024

The power steering suddenly stopped working as I was on the highway and couldn’t control my car without warning. It started working momentarily and then stopped again. It’s been over 24 hours. The fuses were checked. At the same time that the steering went out two messages appeared. “Lane keeping sys malfunction” and “steering loss stop safety”. It is available for inspection currently.

NHTSA ID
11572980
Incident
Feb 19, 2024
Steering
Filed May 26, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the power steering became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to her residence. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who informed her about the steering recalls for the vehicle regarding the electrical power steering assist which caused the power steering column to fail. The mechanic referred the contact to the dealer. The local dealer was contacted and informed her that the repair was not covered under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (Steering) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V250000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.

NHTSA ID
11523960
Incident
May 21, 2023
Mileage
67,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 11, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that while her fiancé was making a left turn, the “Service Power Steering Now” warning light was illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not drivable but was close to her residence. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,491.

NHTSA ID
11460366
Incident
Apr 8, 2022
Mileage
63,491 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 13, 2021

Intermittent power steering failures at low speeds - appears to be random. No warning lights or indicators of problem.

NHTSA ID
11436683
Incident
Oct 11, 2021
Steering
Filed Feb 18, 2021

STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHEN WE WERE LEAVING THE DRIVEWAY

NHTSA ID
11396758
Incident
Feb 17, 2021
Mileage
109,500 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Feb 14, 2020

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT TRACTION CONTROL AND PARK HILL ASSIST ALL FLASH. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED TRAVELING 70 MPH . I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF OF THE ROAD BUT HAD A DIFFICULT TIME TURNING THE WHEEL AS IT FELT LIKE IT WAS ALMOST LOCKED. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS

NHTSA ID
11309208
Incident
Feb 13, 2020
Mileage
98,625 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 24, 2019

WARNING THEN AFTER DRIVING LONGER (70 MILES) IT WOULD NOT STEER. HAD TO GO GET IT RESET. THE FLUID WAS FINE.

NHTSA ID
11257871
Incident
Sep 21, 2019
Mileage
70,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 14, 2019

I WAS DRIVING AND MY POWER STEERING SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AND BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER AND NOW MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON. IT TELLS ME TO HAVE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY BUT WHEN I CALL LINCOLN DEALERSHIP THEY TELL ME THEY CAN'T EVEN GET ME IN TIL OCTOBER 16TH. I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT I MAY END UP IN A CRASH. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS NOT A RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11255515
Incident
Sep 13, 2019
Mileage
91,186 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Aug 27, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO PROPERLY ADJUST TO THE DESIRED SPEED LEVEL. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEAL TRAVELED ABNORMALLY TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED AND THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY AND FAILED TO DRIVE OVER 35 MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO READ PROPERLY THE ACCURATE READING LEVELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V250000 (STEERING) AND 13V594000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10759743
Incident
Aug 10, 2015
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Feb 20, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V597000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS) WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL REPORT DATE WAS SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 AND THE RECALL REMEDY WAS STILL NOT AVAILABLE IN FEBRUARY OF 2015. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A FAILURE OCCURRED. UPDATED 4/6/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED TWO DAYS AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT THE DEALER FOR RECALLS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN.

NHTSA ID
10689616
Incident
Oct 6, 2014
Steering
Filed Jun 24, 2014

FOLLOWING DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE, NOT AN OVERLY DEEP PUDDLE, PERHAPS 3-4 INCHES, THE POWER ASSIST MALFUNCTION MESSAGE APPEARED AND THE POWER STEERING TURNED OFF. AFTER ALLOWING THE CAR TO DRY, THE FAILURE CLEARED FOR A SHORT TIME BUT COMES BACK ON WITHIN 5 MILES OF DRIVING. TAKING CAR TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10605478
Incident
Jun 23, 2014
Mileage
9,800 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 5, 2014

INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER TURNING RIGHT FROM A FULL STOP AT A STOP LIGHT ONTO CURVY ROAD WITH MODERATE DOWNHILL SLOPE AND CONSTRUCTION BARRICADES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. TRAFFIC WAS APPROACHING IN OPPOSITE LANE. ROAD WAS CURVING TO THE RIGHT. FRONT COLLISION AVOIDANCE AUDIBLE ALARM AND FLASHING RED LIGHT ACTIVATED. AT THE SAME TIME, ANOTHER ALARM SOUNDED AND A WARNING SCREEN CAME THE DASHBOARD INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE POWER ASSIST STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN, AND THE CAR BEGAN TO VEER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ONLY WITH GREAT EFFORT WAS I ABLE TO PULL THE CAR TO THE RIGHT AND BACK INTO MY OWN LANE TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION. CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AND IS BEING TOWED THIS MORNING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10596288
Incident
Jun 4, 2014
Mileage
7,071 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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .