The Lemon Index

All cars · Lincoln MKS · 2012

2012 Lincoln MKS. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index–100 = average car
Complaints3NHTSA, first 3 years

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Steering67%
Electrical33%
Body structure33%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
310000

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 15V340000 Jun 2015 Steering / Electric Power Assist System

    Defect. 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 custome

  • 15V040000 Jan 2015 Structure / Body / Door

    Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.

    Risk. If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

    Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S02.

  • 13V109000 Mar 2013 Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly

    Defect. Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and model year 2013 Explorer vehicles manufactured July 19, 2011, through March 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the fuel tanks may have a marginally sealed seam in the side of the tank. As a result, the fuel tanks may not provide the expected strength in the event of an impact. The tanks may also 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 inspect the fuel tanks and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S03. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

Manufacturer communications 34

Lincoln filed 34 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • No service action is recommended for this condition
  • Steering related noises

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Lincoln MKS 4 DR AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆
Lincoln MKS 4 DR FWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.5L 6-cylAuto (S6)FWD17 / 24 / 20Regular$3,100
3.5L 6-cyl turboAuto (S6)AWD17 / 24 / 20Regular$3,100
3.7L 6-cylAuto (S6)AWD16 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

YouTube repair topics

200 videos about the 2009–2016 Lincoln MKS, 4.8M views.

TopicVideosViews
Heat, A/C & blend door597K
Infotainment, battery & electrical476K
Intake, EGR & engine sensors368K
Transmission & shifter159K
No-start: theft light, key & ignition351K
Gauges, lights & wiring347K
Steering & suspension339K
Windows, doors & mirrors234K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2009–1930,156Brakes
2010–12–Speed control
2011–12–Steering
2012–3–Steering
2013932723,317Engine
2014–7–Fuel system
2015–1–Transmission & drivetrain

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data

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