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2012 Lincoln MKS steering problems
moderate
Owners of the 2012 Lincoln MKS have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
1
Avg fix
$700
steering complaints on the Lincoln MKS, by model year
Of the 8 steering complaints filed for the 2012 Lincoln MKS,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
1 (33.3%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
1 (33.3%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
1 (33.3%)
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted.
Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits
and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Lincoln MKS we track for steering problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (8).
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3
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.
Fix: 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented
repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall
(it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service BulletinSSM 46210Nov 2016
SOME 2010-2016 EPAS EQUIPPED VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT STEERING RELATED NOISES. THE WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM) DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN UPDATED IN SECTION 211-02. WHEN DIAGNOSING AND REPAIRING EPAS STEERING NOISES USE THE UPDATED PROCEDURES.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting
8 most recent
steering
· filed 10/30/2015
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 failure. Updated 1/14/16 ln *js
steering · 158,000 mi
· filed 10/09/2024
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 determined that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) needed to be reprogrammed, and the steering rack needed to be replaced.…
steering
· filed 08/17/2024
Power Steering Assist Failure
steering
· filed 08/09/2025
This is additional information related to my prior complaint 1167880 regarding the 2012 Lincoln MKS steering issue.
steering
· filed 08/06/2025
I’ve owned my 2012 Lincoln MKS for 3 years. A warning recently appeared saying “Power Steering Assist Fault,” and now the steering is very hard to turn, especially at low speeds. I’ve already paid around $1,800 in the past to fix this issue once, but now I’m experiencing the same or similar problems again. I haven’t had it officially diagnosed this time because both Ford and the dealer told me it…
steering
· filed 07/03/2025
After starting the vehicle on Thursday 6/26/2025, the Power Steering Assist Fault message appeared in the message center. The owner's manual was consulted and as recommended, the engine was turned off for over 10 seconds, turned back on, and the message returned. The Power Steering Assist Fault message has appeared each time upon starting the engine (both by remote and push-button) for 8 days and…
steering · 39,000 mi
· filed 06/18/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Lincoln mks. While coming to a stop, the steering wheel became drastically difficult to control after an audible and power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,000. Updated…
steering · 104,000 mi
· filed 03/29/2023
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle jerked and lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after several minutes the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the lower control arms and bushing needed to be replaced. The…
Had steering trouble with your 2012 Lincoln MKS?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2012 Lincoln MKS?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 100,333 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Lincoln/MKS.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.