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U.S. public vehicle records

2012 Lincoln MKS: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

17 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

74,625 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 17 complaints (41.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior847.1%
Braking behavior15.9%

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.

Steering
7
Electrical System
4
Unknown Or Other
4
Fuel System, Gasoline
2
Power Train
2
Structure:Body
2
Engine
1
Exterior Lighting
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering7
Electrical System4
Unknown Or Other4
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Power Train2
Structure:Body2
Engine1
Exterior Lighting1

Steering: 7; Electrical System: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Power Train: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Engine: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
3
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
4
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0002
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9993
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9994
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 6 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.

2013
1
2015
2
2017
1
2018
1
2019
2
2020
1
2023
3
2024
2
2025
3
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20131
20152
20171
20181
20192
20201
20233
20242
20253
20261

2013: 1; 2015: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 3; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10546024 · 2013-09-28 (September 28, 2013)

I STOPPED THE CAR IN MY GARAGE AND PUSHED THE KEYLESS IGNITION BUTTON, BUT DID NOT PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I EXITED THE CAR AND IT SLOWLY COASTED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO A DEEP GULLY.. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR FROM THE ACCIDENT AND THE WRECKERS GETTING IT OUT OF THE GULLY WAS $14,400. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED MOST WELL-ENGINEERED CARS, EXCLUDING FORD/LINCOLN, LOCK THE BREAKS OR PUT THE CAR INTO PARK IF THE KEYLESS IGNITION BUTTON IS PUSHED BEFORE THE CAR IS PUT INTO PARK. (EXAMPLES OF WELL ENGINEERED CARS INCLUDE BMW AND TOYOTA PRIUS WITH RESPEC…

Owner-reported narrative. 12,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10546024 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10726029 · 2015-06-18 (June 18, 2015)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKS. WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DRASTICALLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AFTER AN AUDIBLE AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. UPDATED 8/6/15*CN

Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10726029 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10787292 · 2015-10-30 (October 30, 2015)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 1/14/16 LN *JS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10787292 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11052821 · 2017-12-06 (December 6, 2017)

LOUD POPPING AND CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM SPEAKERS EVEN WHEN THE AUDIO IS POWERED OFF. I TRIED TO UPDATE MY SYNC SYSTEM, BUT THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CALL THE MANUFACTURE FOR HELP, BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE 0 ASSISTANCE. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY, MORE IN THE EVENING OR NIGHT TIME. WHILE THE CAR IS BOTH STATIONARY AND IN MOTION.

Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11052821 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11072103 · 2018-02-10 (February 10, 2018)

THE CAR STUTTERS ON SOFT ACCELERATION WHILE PULLING OUT OR INCREASE IN VELOCITY WHEN GOING UP HILL OR ON UPGRADES. PREMATURE VALVE COVER LEAKING INTO SPARK PLUGS AND SOAKING IGNITION PACKS OVERHEATING PREMATURELY WHILE IN SLOW MOVING TO MODERATE TRAFFIC INTERMITTEN WIPERS DEFECTIVE WHEN I ACQUIRED IT

Owner-reported narrative. 102,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11072103 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11165214 · 2019-01-04 (January 4, 2019)

OUTSIDE TEMP 27 F. OPENED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND IT WOULD NOT STAY SHUT. HAD TO USE ROPE TO TIE PASSENGER DOOR TO REAR DOOR BEHIND DRIVER TO KEEP IT SHUT SO I COULD GO TO EYE DOCTOR, A THREE HOUR DRIVE AWAY. AS TEMPERATURE HAS RISEN, IT SEEMS TO BE LATCHING TO STAY SHUT NOW, BUT I DO NOT TRUST IT.

Owner-reported narrative. 74,625 miles reported. Look up ODI 11165214 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11234866 · 2019-07-25 (July 25, 2019)

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND OUT OF NOWHERE THE TEMP GAUGE SPIKES TO HOT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR SMELLED VERY STRONGLY OF COOLANT. AFTER GETTING THE CAR HOME AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I DETERMINED THAT THE INTERNAL WATER PUMP FAILED. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE DURETEC ENGINES. NO WARNING FROM THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE CAR. THERE IS CURRENTLY A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE. A RECALL ON THIS PART NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11234866 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11373903 · 2020-11-10 (November 10, 2020)

I HAVE AN EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE AMOUNT OF MOISTURE IN THE PASSENGER HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. I'VE HAD IT CHECKED AT 3 DIFFERENT BODY SHOPS, INCLUDING A LINCOLN ONE HERE IN TULSA. ALL 3 SHOPS COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE THE MOISTURE IS COMING FROM. I HAVE SEEN THIS ON A COUPLE OF OTHER LINCOLN MKSS. ON THE OTHER AUTOMOBILES THAT I HAVE SEEN THEIR PEERS TO BE NO DAMAGE ANYWHERE AS IS THE CASE WITH MINE. MY CONCERN IS THE MOISTURE IS GOING TO GET TO THE BULB OR GET BULB SOCKET AND CAUSE OF TO SHORT. IT SEEMS HARDLY FAIR THAT A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 8 YEARS O…

Owner-reported narrative. 72,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11373903 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

13V109000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly

Reported: 2013-03-27 (March 27, 2013)

Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and model year 2013 Explorer vehicles manufactured July 19, 2011, through March 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the fuel tanks may have a marginally sealed seam in the side of the tank. As a result, the fuel tanks may not provide the expected strength in the event of an impact. The tanks may also leak.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tanks and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S03. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
15V040000 · Structure:Body:Door

Reported: 2015-01-28 (January 28, 2015)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.

Consequence: If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S02.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
15V340000 · Steering:Electric Power Assist System

Reported: 2015-06-02 (June 2, 2015)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.

Consequence: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.

NHTSA campaign record ↗