Place vehicle in reverse. Steering assist fault warning came on. Couldn't steer vehicle.
2014 Lincoln MKS steering problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 11 steering complaints filed for the 2014 Lincoln MKS, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Steering accounts for 26% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 3 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2014 Lincoln MKS has a documented pattern of electronic power steering failures between 50k and 105k miles that can suddenly lock up the steering wheel while driving—a serious safety hazard. Lincoln refuses to acknowledge this as a manufacturing defect despite a recall covering the same failure in 2012–2013 model year MKS cars.
Eleven complaints document the 2014 MKS experiencing sudden, complete loss of power steering assist that can strike at any highway or low-speed driving condition. The steering wheel becomes locked or requires extreme force to turn manually while a "Steering Assist Fault" or "Service Required" message appears on the dash. Failures occur between 50,000 and 105,707 miles with no clear trigger—some happen while reversing, others at 75 mph in traffic.
Dealers and independent mechanics blame a failed steering gear/rack and pinion assembly and recommend replacement of multiple steering components (steering gear, control arms, tie rods). Yet every owner report shows the vehicle was either not repaired or the owner chose not to proceed after learning the cost or that Lincoln would not cover the failure.
The core safety issue: steering suddenly goes out, putting occupants and pedestrians at risk. One owner's vehicle swerved across four lanes of oncoming traffic into a curb. Another nearly hit a pedestrian when the steering locked hard to one side.
Lincoln maintains the 2014 MKS falls outside recall 15V340000, which covers 2012–2013 MKS steering failures. Owners point out the identical failure mode crosses multiple model years, yet only older models were recalled. Several complaints mention a separate electrical fault pattern—low battery and steering sensor warnings combined with uncontrolled door locks, windows, and radio—suggesting possible control module degradation underlying the steering loss.
Same Lincoln MKS steering reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering assist loss / steering wheel seized
Electronic power steering system fails completely, leaving steering wheel stiff, hard to turn, or completely locked. The 'Steering Assist Fault' or 'Service Required' message appears on the instrument panel. Owners report sudden loss of all power steering assist while driving at various speeds, forcing them to apply extreme force to turn the wheel manually. In several cases the steering wheel locks up entirely, creating immediate danger on the roadway.
When: Failures occur between 50,000 and 105,707 miles; no clear pattern by age or driving condition
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes stiff, hard to turn, or completely locked; 'Steering Assist Fault' warning message on dash; 'Service Required' message displayed; Loss of power steering assist; Complete loss of steering response; Vehicle swerves or pulls to one side
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers and mechanics identified failed steering gear/rack and pinion assembly; some recommended replacement of steering gear, front lower control arm, rear toe link, and rear upper control arm. None of the reported cases were actually repaired by dealer or owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2014 MKS not included in NHTSA recall 15V340000 (Steering), which covers 2012–2013 MKS models. Manufacturers referred owners to file NHTSA complaints rather than address under warranty or recall.
Intermittent electrical faults affecting steering and other systems
Multiple electrical glitches trigger warning lights for steering, traction control, seatbelts, and airbags. One owner reported low battery sensor faults combined with steering warnings, windows and sunroof operating without input, and radio volume surging uncontrolled. The pattern suggests an intermittent electrical or control module fault that mimics or masks the steering failures.
When: Timing varies; one owner reports recurring incidents while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Low battery sensor warning; Steering sensor warning; Seatbelt and airbag warnings lighting up; Unintended window and sunroof operation; Radio volume spike without input; Door lock cycling without command
Repairs/costs cited: Owner placed a FIXD diagnostic device in vehicle and observed multiple warning codes. Shop mentioned a recall; dealer contradicted it. No repair completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Conflicting information from dealer vs. independent shop regarding recall applicability; no clear recall or TSB cited for this vehicle.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Steering wheel locked up while the car was in motion. "Steering Assist Fault Service Required" appears on the dash. Mechanic has checked out the car and believes the steering rack might have to be replaced.
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.…
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…
Had steering trouble with your 2014 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 2014 Lincoln MKS?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 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 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 79,000 and 105,707 miles, with the median around 100,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 79,000; a quarter make it past 105,707. 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/2014/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.