YearToAvoid

2013 Lincoln MKZ Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 16 steering complaints for the 2013 Lincoln MKZ, 15% of that year's 109 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 67,000. Two related steering recalls (19V632000 and 15V250000) cover steering gear motor bolt corrosion.

Steering complaints
16
15% of 109
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
67,000 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical steering symptoms owners report

  • Power steering assist cuts out or becomes inoperable at low speeds, sometimes with no warning light illuminated.
  • A 'Service Power Steering Now' warning appears and the steering wheel seizes or requires excessive force to turn, including during turns.
  • Power steering fails intermittently at highway speed, accompanied by 'Lane Keeping Sys Malfunction' or 'Steering Loss Stop Safety' messages.
  • Power steering malfunction message appears after driving through water, with the assist shutting off and problem recurring on subsequent drives.
  • Power steering failure recurs alongside traction control and hill assist warnings, making the wheel feel almost locked while driving at speed.
  • Owners report being told by dealers or independent mechanics about steering recalls, but some vehicles are denied coverage based on registration state.

When 2013 Lincoln MKZ steering complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 5, 2014, latest Feb 12, 2026.

2013 Lincoln MKZ steering complaints: complaints filed per month2Jun 2014Aug 2015Feb 2020Oct 2021May 2023Jul 2024Dec 2024
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2014 to Feb 2026; peak Jun 2014 (2).

Steering recalls for the 2013 Lincoln MKZ

  1. NHTSA 19V632000Aug 29, 2019Steering116,160 vehicles

    Steering:electric power assist system

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.

    Risk: If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S26.

  2. NHTSA 15V250000Apr 28, 2015Steering487,301 vehicles

    Steering:electric power assist system

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to March 20, 2015, and 2015 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured February 26, 2015, to February 28, 2015, and originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, snow or water containing road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.

    Risk: If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist. Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply sealer and replace the steering gear motor bolts as required. If one or more of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S14.

Steering complaints by MKZ model year

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

  1. 20060 (0%)
  2. 20070 (0%)
  3. 20081 (0%)
  4. 20093 (3%)
  5. 20101 (1%)
  6. 201119 (13%)
  7. 201220 (14%)
  8. 201316 (15%)
  9. 201425 (26%)
  10. 20158 (10%)
  11. 201612 (19%)
  12. 20176 (4%)
  13. 20180 (0%)
  14. 20193 (15%)
  15. 20201 (50%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Lincoln MKZ have a steering recall?
Yes. NHTSA recall 15V250000 covers 2013-2015 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles for steering gear motor bolts, and recall 19V632000 addresses the same steering gear motor bolt and sealer issue for vehicles sold or registered in specific states.
How common are steering complaints on the 2013 Lincoln MKZ?
NHTSA lists 16 steering complaints for the 2013 MKZ, which is 15% of the 109 total complaints filed for that model year.
At what mileage does the steering problem usually happen?
The median mileage at failure reported in NHTSA complaints for 2013 MKZ steering issues is 67,000 miles.
Did the 2013 Lincoln MKZ steering problems cause crashes?
NHTSA complaint data for this steering issue on the 2013 MKZ shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported.

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.