2013 Lincoln MKS Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
83/100
#2 most-complained of 7 MKS years
The 2013 Lincoln MKS has 142 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 83, and 7 recalls, ranking it the 2nd-worst year of the 7 MKS model years with data. Steering problems dominate at 43% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 93,000.
- Complaints
- 142
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 18
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 26 hwy
Top 2013 Lincoln MKS problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Steering wheel reportedly seized suddenly at low speed, causing loss of control and a crash.
- Vehicle lost control at highway speed and crashed into a guardrail with no warning light illuminated.
- Engine compartment produced smoke and flames while driving at highway speed, requiring fire department response.
- Vehicle lost acceleration ability at highway speed, forcing the driver to coast to the shoulder while the powertrain warning light illuminated.
- Engine sputtered and died when slowing to a near stop, then restarted only after repeated attempts to accelerate.
- Electrical fire occurred despite an outstanding recall for the issue that the owner said was never received.
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?
- Compared to other MKS model years, 2013 ranks poorly. It has a complaint index of 83 and is the 2nd-worst of 7 model years, with a verdict of Avoid.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Lincoln MKS?
- Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 61 of 142 complaints (43%), with issues typically appearing around a median of 93,000 miles.
- Does the 2013 Lincoln MKS have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2013 Lincoln MKS, covering fuel system, steering, structure/body, and transmission/powertrain components. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Which Lincoln MKS model year should I avoid?
- Among the 7 model years with data, 2011 has the highest complaint index at 100, followed by 2013 at 83, both marked Avoid. The 2012 model year has the lowest index at 17 and is rated Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Lincoln MKS?
- The 2013 Lincoln MKS is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined (18 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100.