2012 Lincoln MKT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
83,223 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 27 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 18 | 66.7% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 14.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 18 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Other Fuel Types:Turbo/Supercharger | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
Steering: 18; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Power Train: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Other Fuel Types:Turbo/Supercharger: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 6
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2012: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 8; 2020: 4; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2024: 3; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10471553 · 2012-08-20 (August 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 33 miles reported. Look up ODI 10471553 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10778396 · 2015-09-29 (September 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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10778396 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11091063 · 2018-04-30 (April 30, 2018)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST
Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11091063 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11292108 · 2019-12-30 (December 30, 2019)
LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE ENTERING A HIGHWAY. BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN.
Owner-reported narrative. 142,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11292108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11154854 · 2018-11-29 (November 29, 2018)
1) THE INSPECTOR REPORTED THE TIRES MOUNTED ON THE REAR OF YOUR VEHICLE ARE NOT THE MANUFACTURE'S RECOMMEND TIRE SIZE. THE INSPECTOR VERIFIED THE TRANSFER CASE FAILED INTERNALLY AND SNAPPED OFF OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE FRONT U-JOINT OF THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT IS BENT AND LEAKING GREASE (CAN NOT DETERMINE I. THERE IS TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE FLUID BLOWN BACK ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. 99,901 miles reported. Look up ODI 11154854 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10568286 · 2014-03-10 (March 10, 2014)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10568286 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11315363 · 2020-03-01 (March 1, 2020)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11315363 at NHTSA ↗