2012 Lincoln MKS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2012 Lincoln MKS ranks 7th of 8 model years with a complaint index of 14, earning a Best verdict. It has 17 complaints, 3 recalls, and no fires, deaths, or injuries reported to NHTSA.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 14/100
- #7 of 8 MKS years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 17
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2012 Lincoln MKS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering8 (47%)
- Electrical System5 (29%)
- Other4 (24%)
- Fuel System2 (12%)
- Structure & Body2 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (12%)
- Brakes1 (6%)
- Engine1 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the power steering warning light coming on along with sudden difficulty turning the wheel while slowing to a stop.
- Some drivers say a dealer could not duplicate or determine the cause of the steering failure after inspection.
- Owners describe loud popping and cracking noise from the speakers even with the audio system off, occurring at random times.
- One owner reported the engine stuttering during soft acceleration and on inclines, along with valve cover leaks fouling spark plugs.
- Owners report the passenger door failing to latch shut in cold temperatures, requiring a rope to hold it closed.
- One owner described the temperature gauge spiking and a strong coolant smell after the water pump failed.
2012 Lincoln MKS recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V340000Jun 2, 2015Steering393,623 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
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.
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 15V040000Jan 28, 2015Structure & Body194,889 vehicles
Structure:body:door
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.
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 13V109000Mar 27, 2013Fuel System3,037 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
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.
Risk: 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.
2012 Lincoln MKS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 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.
2012 compared with other MKS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Lincoln MKS reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 MKS has a complaint index of 14, the second-lowest among the 8 model years with data, and carries a Best verdict relative to other MKS years.
- What problems does the 2012 Lincoln MKS have?
- The top problem area is steering, accounting for 8 of 17 complaints (47%), followed by electrical system issues (5 complaints, 29%). Median mileage at failure across all reported issues was 74,625 miles.
- Does the 2012 Lincoln MKS have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 MKS covering steering (power steering control module), structure and body (interior door handles), and fuel system (fuel tank sealing). None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2012 MKS compare to other model years?
- The 2012 MKS ranks 7th worst of 8 years, better than 2011 and 2013, which both carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 100 and 86. Only 2015 and 2016 show lower or equal complaint activity.