2012 Lincoln MKT

The 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.

The 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.

The 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 customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.

Ford Motor Company · up to 393,623 vehicles across all model years covered

towed · 153,600 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKT. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ACTON FORD (76 POWDER MILL RD, ACTON, MA 01720, (978) 897-7000). THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENT FOR THE RECALL; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 3,000 MILES OVER THE RECALL WARRANTY DEADLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,600. …

NHTSA complaint 11243520, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed · 181,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED HIS WIFE CONTACTED KRIEGERS FORD LOCATED AT 3205 NORTH HIGHWAY 61, MUSCATINE, IA 52761, (563) 263-5324, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE MILEAGE EXCEEDED THE 150,000 MILES LIMIT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR THE FREE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …

NHTSA complaint 11326824, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

200,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed, the Service Advancetrac warning light was illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed with steering rack and pinion failure. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the repair would be covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000(Steering); however, the contact was later informed that the recall had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer scheduled …

NHTSA complaint 11686723, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

12,980 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the power steering system failure warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to maneuver the steering wheel as needed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 12,980.

NHTSA complaint 11629042. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

The car had a recall, and they worked on it. A few years later the power steering went out while driving and almost had an accident. They did not replace the steering gear they only worked on the steering module. If they had replaced the steering gear, it may have solved the whole problem. They know there was a problem and did not do their best to solve it. There may be thousands of vehicles waiting for the time when there could be a serious accident due to Ford's negligence. I was moving slow when the steering quit and may have saved my life or others in over vehicles. I was told it is over $4,000 to repair. I cannot afford the repair. I am without a vehicle to drive. I need it for …

NHTSA complaint 11621244, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

The recall work was done on 10/27/2015. Ford Lincoln knows there is a problem with the power steering. They will not redo the work that needs to be done properly because of their faulty power steering module. They did not replace the module; they only made an adjustment to it. I almost had an accident because of the faulty power steering. When it went out it is almost impossible to turn the steering wheel. This problem could have created a serious accident with another vehicle, property or even a pedestrian. Anyone owning one of these vehicles could have the same serious problem. I am on limited income and cannot afford to have the problem repaired. I should not have to pay for the repair …

NHTSA complaint 11608361, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

82,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that the twin-turbo became inoperable. The contact stated that oil was entering the exhaust and the contact was unable to see other vehicles. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and referred him to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

NHTSA complaint 11498231. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

45,000 miles

The contact's grandmother owned a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that when his grandmother was starting the vehicle, she experienced a loss of power steering assist. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The contact's grandmother was then offered and agreed to a trade-in. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA …

NHTSA complaint 11496224, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.