YearToAvoid

2010 Lincoln MKT Steering Problems

Steering complaints account for 28 of 64 total complaints (44%) for the 2010 Lincoln MKT, with a median failure mileage of 97,000. NHTSA lists no related recalls for this issue.

Steering complaints
28
44% of 64
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
97,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

  • Power steering assist suddenly fails or cuts out while driving, sometimes with a "service power steering" or "service steering" warning message.
  • After the failure, the steering wheel becomes very hard to turn, forcing owners into a difficult manual-steering mode at speed.
  • Some owners report the steering wheel seizing up entirely at highway speed, around 105,000 miles in one case.
  • Failures occur across a range of speeds, from low-speed turns near 30 mph to highway driving near 60 mph.
  • Dealers in several cases diagnosed a failed steering gear or electric power assist unit that needed replacement.
  • One owner described the electronic steering failing mid-turn, nearly causing a collision with oncoming traffic.

When 2010 Lincoln MKT steering complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 7, 2010, latest Feb 25, 2023.

2010 Lincoln MKT steering complaints: complaints filed per month3Sep 2010Feb 2016Dec 2016Feb 2018Jul 2018Aug 2019Feb 2020Oct 2021
28 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2010 to Feb 2023; peak Feb 2020 (3).

Steering recalls for the 2010 Lincoln MKT

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by MKT model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201028 (44%)
  2. 201111 (58%)
  3. 201219 (70%)
  4. 201331 (45%)
  5. 20148 (15%)
  6. 20151 (4%)
  7. 20161 (11%)
  8. 20171 (33%)
  9. 20180 (0%)
  10. 20190 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are steering problems in the 2010 Lincoln MKT?
Steering complaints make up 28 of the 64 total complaints filed for the 2010 MKT, or 44% of all complaints for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2010 Lincoln MKT steering issue?
NHTSA's data shows no related recalls listed for this steering problem area on the 2010 MKT.
At what mileage do steering problems usually happen?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for steering complaints on the 2010 MKT is 97,000 miles.
Did the 2010 MKT steering problems cause any crashes?
NHTSA's complaint data lists 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries tied to steering complaints for the 2010 MKT.
Is the steering issue worse in the 2010 MKT than other years?
The 2010 model's 44% share of steering complaints is close to the 2013 model's 45% and lower than the 2012 model's 70%, based on NHTSA data across MKT model years.

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.