CSR

Lincoln · NHTSA safety record

2013 Lincoln MKT

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 70 safety complaints about the 2013 Lincoln MKT with the US government. Of those, 1 describes a crash, 2 mention a fire and no death is recorded. 7 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the steering, named in 32 complaints, 46% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 88,500 miles, the median across the 44 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers November 2012 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

70 complaints on file

70

Complaints

1

Describe a crash

2

Mention fire

0

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
STEERING 32 · 46%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9 · 13%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7 · 10%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 7 · 10%
STRUCTURE 6 · 9%
SUSPENSION 6 · 9%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 4 · 6%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 4 · 6%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 3 · 4%
ENGINE 2 · 3%
LANE DEPARTURE 2 · 3%
POWER TRAIN 2 · 3%
0 15 31

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 70.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2020 at 12.

16 12 8 4
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2012 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2013 Lincoln MKT, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV FWD
Overall Not rated Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated Not rated
Frontal, driver Not rated Not rated
Frontal, passenger Not rated Not rated
Side crash Not rated Not rated
Side barrier Not rated Not rated
Side pole Not rated Not rated
Rollover
Chance of rollover 15.1% 16.4%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

7 on file

SUSPENSION:REAR

20V072000 · February 10, 2020

The defect
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.
The risk
A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 211,207 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

16V621000 · August 25, 2016

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 77,502 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

15V812000 · December 2, 2015

The defect
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.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 868 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

15V340000 · June 2, 2015

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

15V172000 · March 24, 2015

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Lincoln MKT vehicles with a limousine or hearse preparation package, manufactured March 6, 2012, to March 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the vacuum pump relay may overheat due to an internal fault or contamination.
The risk
If the vacuum pump relay overheats, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vacuum pump relay with a new electro-mechanical relay, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S10.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,549 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

14V393000 · July 2, 2014

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.
The risk
If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.

Ford Motor Company · up to 83,250 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

13V227000 · May 31, 2013

The defect
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.

Ford Motor Company · up to 390,783 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire · towed · 35,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE DRIVING IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION, SMOKE AND FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT UNDER THE HOOD. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF FOR THREE HOURS. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE VEHICLE, ASKED THE PASSENGERS TO EXIT, OPENED THE HOOD, AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO ASSIST WITH EXTINGUISHING THE FLAMES AND FILED A FIRE REPORT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S SHOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE MECHANIC SHOP FOR SIX MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR IT HAD BEEN OWNED. PRIOR TO

NHTSA complaint 11253009, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

fire · 75,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY NINE HOURS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT HOUSING. THE OWNER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A REPORT WAS FILED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA complaint 10936284. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

towed · 157,504 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START IT AND REVERSE OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. HOWEVER, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULTY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. MAPLECREST FORD LINCOLN OF UNION (2800 SPRINGFIELD AVE, SUITE 1, VAUXHALL, NJ 07088) WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 157,504.

NHTSA complaint 11222430. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

towed · 99,286 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving 5 mph, the power steering failed, making the vehicle difficult to steer. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer and diagnosed with the power steering needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that the Vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 99,286.

NHTSA complaint 11420442. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
The electronic power steering motor has quit working. This is a $1,000 part to be replaced. Almost every other Ford\Lincoln vehicles have had this part recalled. Eventhough Ford knows this part will fail, they failed to include all vehicles with this terrible piece of equipment. It has caused me to lose my pilot car business,due to the cost of replacement.

NHTSA complaint 11767865. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
B and C pillar trim panels have come loose requiring replacement when they fall off. One completely detached while I was driving on the interstate and was run over by a vehicle behind me.

NHTSA complaint 11697365. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
Rear camera requires replacement approx. every 3 years Images start getting reversed or upside down, then very grainy and then the camera completely fails altogether. When the camera fails you get a warning stating " Camera is unavailable please contact the dealership" I have put 2 cameras in the vehicle, both were Motorcraft parts purchased at the dealership. When I purchased the vehicle the dealership that sold the car to me indicated they had replaced the camera in July of 2022 with an aftermarket unit that failed on me in November of 2022. These cameras frequently fail, it is widely reported across all Ford/Lincoln vehicles. Edge, Explorer, Flex, MKT, MKX being the most widely spoken

NHTSA complaint 11697369, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I own a 2013 Lincoln MKT (VIN: [XXX] ). The backup camera intermittently fails when the vehicle is placed in reverse. The screen will either go completely black or show a distorted/blurred image, and it happens unpredictably. When the failure occurs, there is no usable rear visibility through the camera. This presents a significant safety hazard, especially when backing out of driveways, parking lots, and areas where pedestrians or children may be behind the vehicle. Lincoln has already issued a recall for the same backup camera malfunction on later model-year MKT vehicles, and the symptoms on my vehicle are identical to those in the recall description. However, my VIN is not currently

NHTSA complaint 11696744, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
Both rear driver and passenger side toe links were replaced at Colonial Ford in Connecticut due to the recall. The driver side is fine, the defective part installed at Colonial Ford is the passenger side. This should be covered by Colonial Ford, as I'm at no fault for the time it took to find this defect which is not apparent until you place the vehicle on a lift and perform a professional inspection. There are no warning lamps or messages to alert the owner there is a defective part that could cause a life threatening accident with a replaced suspension part. Both Lincoln and Colonial Ford state there's nothing they can do because the replacement recall part is out of warranty,

NHTSA complaint 11677070, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased a used vehicle and had an open safety recall for the rear tow link replacement do to the fact that it could lose steering control and crash if not replaced so I scheduled an appointment with my local dealership to have them replaced I took it in on a Friday they called me to come pick it up asked me to return the following Friday for an alignment so I did after the following Friday's alignment my steering wheel was sideways when it was going forward it was a bad alignment so I call them back up and explain the situation and that they needed to fix it to which they called back and left a message saying that it was not part of the recall and that I would have to pay for it out of

NHTSA complaint 11624612, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Lincoln MKT

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2019 16 4 —
2016 9 3 —
2015 24 6 —
2014 54 4 —
2012 27 1 —
2011 19 1 —
2010 65 0 —

Other 2013 Lincoln models

Every Lincoln on this site — 85 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst