Lincoln MKS problems
140 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Steering: 59 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 73,698–115,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — 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.
Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Lincoln mks. While driving 30 MPH, the advanced service indicator illuminated and the steering wheel became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (tindol Ford, 1901 e. Franklin blvd, gastonia, nc 28054) where it was diagnosed that the…
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with several undisclosed messages displayed on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The…
Car was parked when I started it up. I got a steering assist fault message. Guess it's a common problem with Ford's epas. They should be held accountable like takata because of the huge safety risk. According to Ford my VIN isn't part of the recall for the same model and year.…
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Lincoln mks. While driving into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into a concrete beam. The driver sustained injuries to both knees, the left arm, neck, and back. Medical attention was received. The…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Lincoln MKS reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 140 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 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 2013 Lincoln MKS?
The 2013 Lincoln MKS is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Steering: 59 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 73,698–115,000 mi; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Lincoln MKS?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 59 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 98,489 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 64,123 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 2013 Lincoln MKS?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 140 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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.