2013 Lincoln MKS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2013 Lincoln MKS ranks 2nd worst of 8 model years, with a complaint index of 86, 142 complaints, and 7 recalls. Steering problems dominate, making up 43% of complaints, followed by electrical and engine issues, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other MKS years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 86/100
- #2 of 8 MKS years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 142
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 18
Top 2013 Lincoln MKS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering61 (43%)
- Electrical System27 (19%)
- Engine26 (18%)
- Fuel System16 (11%)
- Other9 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (6%)
- Structure & Body7 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (4%)
- Lane Departure4 (3%)
- HVAC3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel suddenly seizes at low speed, causing loss of control and collision.
- Engine bay catches fire while driving at highway speed, with smoke emerging from under the hood before flames appear.
- Vehicle loses acceleration power at highway speed with the powertrain warning and check-engine lights illuminating.
- Engine sputters and stalls when slowing to a near stop or pulling into traffic, requiring repeated throttle attempts to restart.
- Sudden unintended acceleration reported while parking, resulting in a crash into a fixed object.
- Loss of vehicle control at highway speed leading to a crash, with no warning light illuminated beforehand.
2013 Lincoln MKS recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V621000Aug 25, 2016Fuel System77,502 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
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.
- NHTSA 15V812000Dec 2, 2015Fuel System868 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
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.
- 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.
2013 Lincoln MKS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 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.
2013 compared with other MKS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Lincoln MKS reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 MKS ranks 2nd worst of 8 model years for this model, with a complaint index of 86 and 7 recall campaigns, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other MKS years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Lincoln MKS?
- Steering is the top complaint area, accounting for 43% of complaints (61 of 142), with a median failure mileage of 93,000 miles and 2 related crashes.
- Does the 2013 Lincoln MKS have a fuel system recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three separate fuel system recalls for the 2013 MKS (campaigns 16V621000, 15V812000, and 13V227000), covering fuel PEM and fuel delivery module issues.
- How does the 2013 MKS compare to other years?
- The 2013 model's complaint index of 86 is worse than the 2012 (14, Best), 2014 (43, Good), and 2015 (29, Good) model years, but slightly better than the 2011 model year, which has the worst index at 100.