2012 Lincoln MKT: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10486657 · 2012-12-01 (December 1, 2012)
POWER LIFTGATE OPENED WITHOUT COMMAND WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT COMMAND AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO INTERIOR CONTROL OR KEYFOB TO CLOSE AND HAD TO CLOSE MANUALLY. LIFTGATE OPENED ON THREE ADDITIONAL OCCASIONS WITHIN 45 MINS OF THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. THE THIRD OCCURRENCE RESULTED IN THE LIFTGATE BEING DAMAGED, (REPAIR EST AT $2,500), WHILE ENTERING AN UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE. IN ALL OCCURRENCES, THE LIFTGATE HAD TO BE CLOSED MANUALLY AS IT WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE INTERIOR CONTROL OR KEYFOB. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL LINCOLN DEALER…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10486657 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 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 10778403 · 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 10778403 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10993144 · 2017-06-05 (June 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. UPDAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10993144 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 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 ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗