Lincoln MKS Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Lincoln MKS model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2016 drew the fewest (3) and the 2013 the most (142).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 0 | Electrical system | 5★ | 19–20 |
| 2012 Among the fewest complaints |
17 | 3 | Steering | — | 19–20 |
| 2015 Among the fewest complaints |
18 | 3 | Engine | 5★ | 20–22 |
| 2011 | 43 | 3 | Steering | — | 19–20 |
| 2014 | 44 | 2 | Steering | 5★ | 20–22 |
| 2010 Among the most complaints |
51 | 0 | Steering | — | 19–20 |
| 2009 Among the most complaints |
56 | 1 | Service brakes | — | 19 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
142 | 7 | Steering | 5★ | 20–21 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Lincoln MKS years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2013 Lincoln MKS: 142 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 61 (43%); Electrical system 25 (18%); Engine 22 (15%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 4 fires, 7 injuries, 18 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 71,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Lincoln MKS: 56 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 20 (36%); Air bags 8 (14%); Vehicle speed control 7 (13%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2010 Lincoln MKS: 51 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 15 (29%); Vehicle speed control 10 (20%); Engine 7 (14%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
The Lincoln MKS years with the fewest complaints
2016 Lincoln MKS: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 3 (100%); Forward collision avoidance 1 (33%); Power train 1 (33%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2012 Lincoln MKS: 17 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 8 (47%); Electrical system 4 (24%); Fuel system 2 (12%).
Reports mention 1 crash. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 74,625 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Lincoln MKS: 18 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 5 (28%); Electrical system 4 (22%); Power train 3 (17%).
Reports mention 1 fire, 1 injury. 3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Lincoln MKS owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 44 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 79,000 |
| 2013 | 142 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 18 | 71,000 |
| 2012 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 74,625 |
| 2011 | 43 | 3 | 1 | 39 | 40 | 50,000 |
| 2010 | 51 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2009 | 56 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 70,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Lincoln MKS recalls
- Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist (2011–2013 model years; 393,623 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2015; 15V340000)
- Fuel Delivery Module may Crack And Leak (2013 model year; 390,783 vehicles across all models; filed May 2013; 13V227000)
- Interior Door Handle Return Spring may Unseat (2011–2013 model years; 194,889 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2015; 15V040000)
- Halfshaft Disengagement/Loss of Drive/Roll Away (2013–2014 model years; 83,250 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2014; 14V393000)
- Fuel Pump Malfunction may Cause Engine Stall (2013–2015 model years; 77,502 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2016; 16V621000)
All 11 Lincoln MKS recall campaigns · Lincoln MKS problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Lincoln MKS years FAQ
Which Lincoln MKS year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2016 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (3). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Lincoln MKS years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2013, 2009 and 2010 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the steering. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Lincoln MKS problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the steering (121 of 374 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Lincoln MKS have?
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns covering the Lincoln MKS. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Lincoln MKS recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.