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Lincoln · NHTSA safety record

2014 Lincoln MKS

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

Owners have filed 44 safety complaints about the 2014 Lincoln MKS with the US government. Of those, 1 describes a crash and no death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the gasoline fuel system and the power train.

The most complained-about system is the steering, named in 12 complaints, 27% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 79,000 miles, the median across the 25 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers August 2014 to August 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

44 complaints on file

44

Complaints

1

Describe a crash

0

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 12 · 27%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7 · 16%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6 · 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6 · 14%
ENGINE 4 · 9%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 4 · 9%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 3 · 7%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2 · 5%
POWER TRAIN 2 · 5%
STRUCTURE 2 · 5%
SUSPENSION 2 · 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2 · 5%
0 8 15

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 44.

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 2022 at 8.

12 9 6 3
14 16 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 2014 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 2014 Lincoln MKS, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 4 DR AWD 4 DR FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 11.3% 11.3%
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

2 on file

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

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

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.

STEERING

crash · towed

I was driving down the street when all of a sudden my Lincoln beeps at me. it says “Service Advancetrac” and “Steering Assist Fault”. I lost all steering to my car and it swerved across four lanes of oncoming traffic until I crashed into a curb. This car almost killed me and multiple other people. The car has 79k miles on it. This should not be happening. There is a recall on 2012-2013 MKS models but not a 2014. There is very clearly something wrong with this system across MULTIPLE years. I cannot steer the car manually without straining myself. The electronic power steering has problems across EVERY YEAR. not just 2013!

NHTSA complaint 11451435. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

towed · 800,000 miles

TSB: 16V621000 THIS HAPPENED TO MY CAR, I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE, THERE IS A RECALL BUT ONLY FOR THE 3.5 LITER. I HAVE THE 3.7 LITER AWD. THE CONSUMER STATED HE PAID FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED AS THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA complaint 11066504. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

towed · 79,700 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START-UP WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED AS FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED TWICE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,700.

NHTSA complaint 11414960. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

towed · 81,049 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering failed, and the steering wheel was stiff and difficult to turn. The failure almost caused a collision. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed that the steering gear, front lower control arm, rear toe link and rear upper control arm were faulty and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired and towed back to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was 81,049.

NHTSA complaint 11432258. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The FCIM failed in the 98 degree heat. No warnings or indication that it failed other than the fans just started blowing full blast and full heat on a hot summer day. This alone distracted me and pulled my attention from the road as I started to feel sick with how hot it was getting and was frantically trying to turn the temperature down on the screen to no avail, because when the FCIM goes out you lose all control of the heat or ac and literally cannot shut off the heat. I then pulled over after almost getting in an accident trying to shut off the heat and went to turn on my hazard lights. Well with the FCIM going out my hazards wouldn't work either. When the FCIM isn't going out it

NHTSA complaint 11754672, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I currently own and am driving a 2014 Lincoln MKS, my fourth such vehicle over the past several years. Lincolns have been one of my favorite vehicles however, I am writing to bring to your attention a recurring issue with the climate control system that may warrant further review as a potential safety-related defect. Many owners, including myself, have experienced a situation where the vehicle's heating system automatically increases to full heat without any driver input. In my case, both sides of the dual-zone system simultaneously rise to maximum temperature, regardless of the settings selected. This behavior appears to be linked to a failure of the main blend door actuator. While this

NHTSA complaint 11738085, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

140,000 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while in reverse, the rear-view camera failed to display an image as intended on the digital screen. An unknown message was displayed. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA complaint 11686930. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
Ford has recalled vehicles that have back up camera issues. My back up camera image is upside down. My year was not included in the recall but has the same issue. I feel they should fix it for free.

NHTSA complaint 11686942. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
Electrical problem continues to happen. I was trying to unlock the car. It would unlock and lock , windows roll down, sunroof open and all windows roll down without my help. Radio will turn all the way up. I placed a fixd in the car. Repairs started flashing low battery, sensor with steering, seat belts, and airbags. This has happen several times. I went to a shop. They told me I had a recall. I went to a dealer, they said I did not. I am confused and afraid to drive my car at times. Because this has happened when I am driving to.

NHTSA complaint 11683776. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Vehicle turned off while driving. Luckily, I was driving in a parking lot when it happened, therefore, I was not at a high volume of speed. The issue has been confirmed by a dealer. No inspection by manufacturer or others has been conducted. No warning lamps or other messages were noted prior to failure. Issues have been ongoing for about 2 months now.

NHTSA complaint 11597579. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Lincoln MKS

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2015 18 3 —
2013 142 7 18
2012 17 3 —
2011 43 3 40
2010 51 0 —

Other 2014 Lincoln models

MKZ 97 MKT 54 MKX 35 MKZ Hybrid 27

Complaints on file, same model year.

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