2013 Lincoln MKS recalls and problems

The 2013 Lincoln MKS has 7 safety recalls and 143 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Lincoln dealer.

Recalls
7
Complaints
143
Crashes / fires
6 / 4
Injuries / deaths
7 / 18

Recalls may cover only some 2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2013 Lincoln MKS recalls

Recall 16V-621: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Aug 25, 2016 · 77,502 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.

Risk: A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31.

Recall 15V-812: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Dec 2, 2015 · 868 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

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

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.

Recall 15V-340: Steering

Reported Jun 2, 2015 · 393,623 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 15V-040: Structure

Reported Jan 28, 2015 · 194,889 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 14V-393: Power Train

Reported Jul 2, 2014 · 83,250 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.

Risk: If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.

Recall 13V-270: Latches/Locks/Linkages

Reported Jun 26, 2013 · 12,569 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured November 29, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, with sufficient door openings and closings, the child safety locks may change from an activated position to a deactivated position without notice.

Risk: If the child lock is deactivated, the door could be unlocked and opened from the inside which could lead to personal injury to an unrestrained child.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the safety locks. If necessary, the locks will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Ford's recall number is 13S07. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

Recall 13V-227: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported May 31, 2013 · 390,783 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.

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

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.

2013 Lincoln MKS problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Steering62
Electrical System25
Engine22
Fuel/Propulsion System12
Power Train9
Unknown or Other6
Lane Departure6
Seats4
Fuel System, Gasoline4
Exterior Lighting4
Visibility4
Equipment3

Most reported parts

  • Steering › Electric Power Assist System — 4
  • Lane Departure › Assist — 4
  • Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System — 3
  • Lane Departure › Warning — 2
  • Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems — 1
  • Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner — 1
  • Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 1
  • Structure › Body — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 71,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2013 Lincoln MKS complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Steering · at 42,338 miles · reported Nov 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH and merging right onto an exit ramp, the power steering failed to operate properly. The contact decelerated and exited the highway. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was driven to an auto parts store, where the contact spoke with a technician; upon restarting the vehicle, the power steering operated properly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, where it was determined that the steering rack and pinion assembly required replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the…
Steering · reported Aug 13, 2026
While driving home in the center lane on the XXX[XXX] Parkway, my steering wheel locked suddenly, preventing me from turning left or right. As I used my full strength to turn right against the tightness of the steering wheel, trying to get off at the next possible exit, the power to the steering wheel abruptly returned, causing me to swerve out of control, past the right lane, onto the shoulder and into the grassy roadside area. The vehicle didn't suffer any bodily damages. I struggled mightily with the steering but was able to drive home safely and park it. The next morning, I took the car to…
Back Over Prevention · reported Nov 7, 2025
Rear camera backup camera fails to show, says to contact dealership and does not display image although camera is properly intact.
Unknown or Other · reported Oct 21, 2025
Recall Notice: NHTSA 25V270 My Lincoln MKC VIN# [XXX] has a recall 25V270. I also have a 2013 Lincoln MKS Vin # [XXX] with no recall BUT which has the issues with the rear view camera it intermittently displays a blank and image is upside down and some times it will be normal. Should it be considered a recall due to the image may reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Which is stated on the **** IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL**** Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine · reported Sep 15, 2025
Water pump failure or malfunctioned causing the engine to over heat and then to engine stall going 75 mph. After having it towed it was determined the water pump was leaking. It put myself and others at risk of an accident. The water pump sits directly in the center of the engine so it can’t be inspected so easily and only option is to just replace. The water pump was confirmed by a licensed Lincoln Certified Dealer and failed at 69,639 miles. Many others have reported having this same issue. There was a warning signal that flashed as the engine reach an overheating temp, but there were none…

Other Lincoln MKS years

Compare all Lincoln MKS years · All Lincoln models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Lincoln MKS have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2013 Lincoln MKS: 16V-621 (fuel system, gasoline), 15V-812 (fuel system, gasoline), 15V-340 (steering), 15V-040 (structure), 14V-393 (power train) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 Lincoln MKS?

Owners report steering problems most often (62 reports), followed by electrical system (25). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 71,000 miles.

Are Lincoln recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Lincoln dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.