2013 Lincoln MKT: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 69 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (42% of complaints); the 2011 and 2012 and 2015 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“B and C pillar trim panels have come loose requiring replacement when they fall off. One completely detached while I was driving on the interstate and was run over by a vehicle behind me.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2024
“The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic signal, the light changed, and the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the contact attempted to turn the steering wheel and the steering wheel was firm. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed and determined that the steering rack and pinion gears needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2024
“The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering wheel was seized. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact researched online and discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“I applied my hazards when pulling over and once it was safe to resume, I went to turn off my hazards and they would not turn off. I tried shutting off the vehicle and restarting but nothing was clearing it. The button was not stuck either. After about 20 mins of driving with the hazards, I tried the button again and the hazards shut off. I believe there is an issue with the front control panel.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2023
“the electric power steering in my 2013 Lincoln MKT fails to operate.. making this vehicle very dangerous to drive.Ford has issued a recall 15s18 for this problem, but they say my car is not included in the recall. how can that be, I have the same problem on my car... why isn't my car included?”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2022
“The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was seized. The driver restarted the vehicle and the steering functionality returned and operated as designed. The electronic power steering fault message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2022
“while driving my 2013 Lincoln MKT the steering became impossible to navigate the vehicle. Luckily we were able to get out of traffic and shut the car down. after letting it sit for a few minutes we restarted the car and it was working okay.but, the outcome could have been disastrous. being unable to steer the car in traffic could have caused an serious accident.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2022
“Power Steering Assist light came on on startup, unable to steer car. Lincoln reports steering rack needs to be replaced, and our car is not covered under the existing recall.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2022
“The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The contact pulled safely off to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that the steering wheel became locked. The contact turned the vehicle on and off however, the steering wheel remained locked. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.”Owner report · Steering · May 2022
“The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to drive out of a parking space, the power steering fault message was displayed on the instrument panel. The steering became difficult to operate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.”Owner report · Steering · May 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Lincoln MKT vehicles with a limousine or hearse preparation package, manufactured March 6, 2012, to March 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the vacuum pump relay may overheat due to an internal fault or contamination.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vacuum pump relay with a new electro-mechanical relay, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S10.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2013 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact MKT by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Lincoln MKT reliable?
NHTSA has 69 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Lincoln MKT. The most complained-about area is steering (42% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 Lincoln MKT problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 89,000 miles or less.
Does the 2013 Lincoln MKT have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.