2012 Lincoln MKS problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 16 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2012 Lincoln MKS has 16 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 8 complaints, typically surfacing around 100,333 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 MKS | 56 | 0 |
| 2010 MKS | 51 | 0 |
| 2011 MKS | 43 | 0 |
| 2012 MKS (this page) | 16 | 0 |
| 2013 MKS | 140 | 0 |
| 2014 MKS | 43 | 0 |
| 2015 MKS | 17 | 0 |
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2012 Lincoln MKS 4 DR AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2012 Lincoln MKS? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- steering — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 100,333 mi · ~$700 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is steering (~$700) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2012 Lincoln MKS
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 1 category with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Loud popping and cracking noise coming from speakers even when the audio is powered off. I tried to update my sync system, but that didn't seem to resolve the problem. I have call the manufacture for help, but they were able to provide 0 assistance. This happens randomly,…
I have an exceptionally large amount of moisture in the passenger headlamp assembly. I've had it checked at 3 different body shops, including a Lincoln one here in tulsa. All 3 shops couldn't figure out where the moisture is coming from. I have seen this on a couple of other…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Lincoln mks. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v340000 (steering) however, the dealer stated that the vehicle should not have been included in the recall repair. The vehicle was repaired. The contact had not experienced a…
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while attempting to drive out of a parking space, the message "Power Assist Failure" was displayed, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Lincoln MKS reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Lincoln MKS is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Lincoln MKS?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Lincoln MKS does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Lincoln MKS?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 8 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 100,333 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Lincoln MKS a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 16 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 100,333 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Lincoln MKS?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 8 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 100,333 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 100,333 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Lincoln MKS has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Lincoln MKS?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 16 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.