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.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Lincoln MKS steering problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Lincoln MKS have filed 59 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 94,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
59
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 MKS | 15 |
| 2011 MKS | 21 |
| 2012 MKS | 8 |
| 2013 MKS (this page) | 59 |
| 2014 MKS | 11 |
2crashes
1fire
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 59 steering complaints filed for the 2013 Lincoln MKS, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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 carries the most owner complaints on file — 59.
Steering accounts for 42% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 6 categories tracked.
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.
LINCOLN/FORD: ONCE PROCEDURE FOR HEATED STEERING WHEEL MODULE PROGRAM COMPLETED, HEATED STEERING WHEEL FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND PASSES NETWORK TEST BUT FAILS ON DEMAND SELF TEST. MODEL 2011-15 FUSION F-150, EXPLORER, TAURUS, SUPER DUTY, MKZ, MKC, MKS, MKT, MKX.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: SOME VEHICLES AND TRUCKS ARE EXPERIENCING A MALFUNCTION WITH THE HEATED STEERING WHEEL BECOMING INOPERATIVE AND ON DEMAND TEST FAILURE. MODEL 2014-15 FUSION, 2011-15 MKX, 2013-15 SUPER DUTY, EXPLORER, TAURUS, MKS, MKT, 2015 F-150, MKZ, MKC, 2011-15 MKX.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles report frequent power steering failures, often accompanied by "Power Steering Assist Fault" or "Electric Power Steering Assist System Shut Down" warning lights. These failures occur across a wide mileage range—from 15,000 miles to over 200,000 miles—and strike without advance warning, sometimes at highway speeds. When the system fails, the steering wheel becomes extremely difficult or impossible to turn, requiring excessive manual force to control the vehicle and steer safely to the side of the road. A few owners report the steering wheel locking completely, creating immediate danger.
Some owners experience intermittent failures that clear temporarily after restarting the vehicle or disconnecting the battery, while others face permanent loss of power steering. Dealers and mechanics attribute failures to the power steering control module, steering gear sensor faults, rack-and-pinion deterioration, or electronic power steering system malfunctions. Repair estimates run $2,000–$3,700 or higher; one owner noted the entire steering rack must be replaced to fix the sensor, as the sensor cannot be serviced separately.
The central complaint across narratives: many owners report finding NHTSA Campaign 15V340000 (Steering) that covers 2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles, yet their VINs are excluded from the recall despite experiencing identical symptoms. Dealers confirm no recalls apply to their specific vehicles and decline warranty coverage. Owners dispute the VIN-based exclusion logic, arguing that if symptoms match the recall exactly, the recall should cover their vehicle.
Same Lincoln MKS steering reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Complete Power Steering Loss
Sudden loss of electric power steering assist, leaving steering wheel extremely difficult or impossible to turn. Warnings such as 'Power Steering Assist Fault' or 'Electric Power Steering Assist System Shut Down' illuminate on the dashboard.
When: Occurs across mileage range 15,000–208,000 miles; some failures at highway speeds (55–75 mph), others while stationary or low speed
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes very difficult to turn, requiring excessive manual force; Steering wheel may lock completely; Power steering assist warning light or fault message appears; Steering control impaired; vehicle difficult to steer to safety; Some owners report loss of other safety features when power steering is down
Codes mentioned: U3000, U0416, U0415
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers and mechanics diagnose power steering control module failure, steering gear sensor fault, or electronic power steering system malfunction. Repair costs reported at $2,000–$3,700+. In some cases, entire steering rack/gear assembly must be replaced, as sensor cannot be serviced separately.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Lincoln/Ford denies coverage under NHTSA Campaign 15V340000 (Steering) for many vehicles, stating VINs are not included in the recall despite owners reporting identical failure symptoms. Some dealers have offered partial coverage (e.g., $1,800 toward repair). One dealer reprogrammed the power steering control module at no cost. Lincoln has stated no repairs or recalls apply to some affected vehicles.
Intermittent Power Steering Assist Failure
Power steering assist intermittently fails and returns, often clearing after vehicle restart or battery disconnect. Owners report the issue recurring over time.
When: Starting at 64,000 miles in one case; failure mileages recorded at 30,000–140,000 miles; some owners experience this for extended periods before total failure
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist warning light illuminates intermittently; Steering wheel becomes stiff or difficult to turn; Loss of power steering functionality resets after restart; Failure recurs on subsequent drives
Codes mentioned: U3000
Repairs/costs cited: One owner turned off and restarted the vehicle multiple times before power steering returned; another disconnected battery for 15 minutes to restore function. No permanent repairs documented for intermittent cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 15V340000 (Steering) cited by owners; VINs not included. Lincoln dealer advised restart procedure but did not issue recall repair.
Steering System Noise and Degradation
Steering produces abnormal noises (whining, humming, growling) and control becomes imprecise, with vehicle wandering left and right despite driver input.
When: Failure mileage 17,000 miles (abnormal noise with tire pressure warning); one case at low speed (10 mph) with growling noise
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal whining, humming, or growling noise from steering system while turning; Steering control not completely possible; vehicle wanders left and right; Steering wheel may require force to turn smoothly
Repairs/costs cited: One mechanic diagnosed strep bearings needing replacement at 17,000 miles. Another case involved power steering control module reprogramming at 15,923 miles. One steering rack was replaced due to compromised condition.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in one case; no further response documented in narratives.
Synthesized from 59 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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 power steering control module needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired due to a blockage to the power…
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. Ridiculous.
I started the engine, I had no power steering, power steering fault lit up on the dash. Shut off car, restarted engine, power steering was restored. If this failure occurs while driving down the road, the car is near impossible to steer. I looked up recalls on this vehicle, there is one for cars produced 9 months before mine, but mine is not included in this recall. The symptoms are identical, I…
Steering system made a whining, humming noise while driving, and steering control was not completely possible as the vehicle wandered both left and right. Subsequent investigation by dealer showed the steering rack was compromised, and replacement effected.
The power steering goes in and out making it impossible to control when it happens. Very difficult to turn the wheel, issue # 2 temperature control goes from set temperature to full heat unassisted. You cannot turn the high temperature setting off. It is unbearable to drive in car with heat on full blast. Both of these issues can happen in motion or when stopped
Had steering trouble with your 2013 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 2013 Lincoln MKS?
It's a meaningful issue. 59 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 39 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 73,698 and 115,000 miles, with the median around 94,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 73,698; a quarter make it past 115,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
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/2013/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.