YearToAvoid

2010 Lincoln MKS Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#3 most-complained of 7 MKS years

The 2010 Lincoln MKS has 51 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 67, ranking 3rd worst of 7 model years with a "Caution" verdict. Engine issues (33% of complaints) and steering (29%) are the top concerns, with no recalls issued for this year.

Complaints
51
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
8 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19
17 city / 24 hwy

Top 2010 Lincoln MKS problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine17 (33%)
  2. Steering15 (29%)
  3. Electrical System7 (14%)
  4. Brakes6 (12%)
  5. Airbags5 (10%)
  6. Structure & Body3 (6%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain3 (6%)
  8. Fuel System2 (4%)
  9. Other2 (4%)
  10. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report unintended acceleration where the engine surges even with cruise control disengaged and the vehicle continues speeding up despite braking.
  • Some describe the vehicle lunging forward while parking or pulling into a driveway, making the brake pedal feel ineffective at stopping the surge.
  • Steering-related reports mention loss of control tied to sudden acceleration events that led to collisions.
  • Brake complaints include loud grinding noises when coming to a stop, with dealers reportedly unable to permanently fix the issue.
  • Airbag complaints describe front-impact crashes at highway speeds where the airbags failed to deploy.
  • Structure and body complaints include the center console armrest pinching an occupant's hand and a front bumper cracking the wiper fluid reservoir in a low-speed impact.
2010 Lincoln MKS complaints: complaints filed per month4Feb 2010Jan 2013May 2014Sep 2015Aug 2017Aug 2019Oct 2021
63 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2010 to Feb 2026; peak May 2014 (4).

2010 Lincoln MKS recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2010 Lincoln MKS fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,400
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2010 compared with other MKS years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Caution6751019
2011Avoid10043319
2012Best1717320

All Lincoln MKS years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Lincoln MKS reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 MKS carries a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 3rd worst among 7 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other MKS years.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Lincoln MKS?
Engine problems are the top complaint category, making up 33% of the 51 complaints filed, with a median failure mileage of 65,500 miles overall.
Does the 2010 Lincoln MKS have any recalls?
NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2010 Lincoln MKS.
How does the 2010 MKS compare to other years?
The 2010 MKS has a Complaint Index of 67, better than the 2011 (100, Avoid) and 2013 (83, Avoid) model years, but worse than 2012 (17, Best) and 2015 (33, Good).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.