2013 Lincoln MKT Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 10 MKT years
The 2013 Lincoln MKT ranks worst of 10 model years, with 69 complaints, 7 recalls, and a complaint index of 100. Steering problems dominate, making up 45% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 111,000 miles.
- Complaints
- 69
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 17 city / 23.5 hwy
Top 2013 Lincoln MKT problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering31 (45%)
- Electrical System11 (16%)
- Fuel System11 (16%)
- Other8 (12%)
- Structure & Body6 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (7%)
- Brakes2 (3%)
- Engine2 (3%)
- Lane Departure2 (3%)
What owners report
- Steering can lock up suddenly while driving, causing loss of control and collision, as reported near 119,000 miles.
- Owners describe loud clunking noises when turning, traced to the steering shaft assembly and lower suspension arms and bushing brackets.
- Some drivers report a sudden total loss of power steering assist at highway speed with no warning, along with turn signals failing at the same time.
- Electrical system complaints include the battery draining completely with no mechanical override to open the trunk.
- Fuel system complaints describe fuel fumes filling the cabin at 30 mph due to a ruptured fuel delivery system, at 23,500 miles.
- Structure and body complaints include water intrusion into the rear panel causing tail light failure, and a fire that started at the driver-side tail light housing while parked.
2013 Lincoln MKT recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V072000Feb 10, 2020Suspension, Wheels & Tires211,207 vehicles
Suspension:rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.
- 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.
2013 Lincoln MKT fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,325
- 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 MKT years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Lincoln MKT reliable?
- Compared to other MKT model years, the 2013 ranks worst, with the highest complaint index (100) among the 10 years tracked and 69 NHTSA complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Lincoln MKT?
- Steering issues lead with 31 complaints (45% of the total), followed by electrical system and fuel system problems at 11 complaints each.
- Does the 2013 Lincoln MKT have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2013 Lincoln MKT covering suspension, fuel system, steering, electrical system, and transmission/powertrain components.
- At what mileage do steering problems typically occur?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 111,000 miles at failure for steering-related complaints on the 2013 Lincoln MKT.
- How does the 2013 MKT compare to other years like the 2011 or 2018?
- The 2013 MKT has a complaint index of 100, far higher than the 2011 (22) and 2018 (11), which rank as Best years for the model.