2013 Lincoln MKS Reliability
The 2013 Lincoln MKS has 141 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about steering and electrical system. Compared with nearby MKS model years (2011–2015), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the MKS's typical year, while the 2012 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
141
NHTSA owner complaints
7
Recall campaigns
6
Complaints citing a crash
4
Complaints citing a fire
2013 Lincoln MKS complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 model year, filed between 2012 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 60 | 43% |
| Electrical system | 25 | 18% |
| Engine | 22 | 16% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 12 | 9% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 9 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 4% |
| Visibility / wipers | 6 | 4% |
| Lane departure | 4 | 3% |
2013 Lincoln MKS recalls
7 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2013 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13V227000 | May 31, 2013 | Fuel system | Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may… |
| 13V270000 | Jun 26, 2013 | Latches, locks & linkages | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured November 29, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, with sufficient door openings and closings, the child safety… |
| 14V393000 | Jul 2, 2014 | Powertrain / transmission — axle assembly / axle shaft | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and… |
| 15V040000 | Jan 28, 2015 | Body structure — body / door | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the interior… |
| 15V340000 | Jun 2, 2015 | Steering — electric power assist system | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles… |
| 15V812000 | Dec 2, 2015 | Fuel system | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to… |
| 16V621000 | Aug 25, 2016 | Fuel system — delivery / fuel pump | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump… |
How the 2013 compares with nearby MKS years
Verdicts compare these MKS model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 43 | 3 | Steering | Caution |
| 2012 | 17 | 3 | Steering | Solid |
| 2013 (this page) | 141 | 7 | Steering | Avoid |
| 2014 | 44 | 2 | Steering | Caution |
| 2015 | 18 | 3 | Engine | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2013 Lincoln MKS
- Steering: check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering and clunks over bumps; power-steering faults show up at low speed.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Fuel system: smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 7 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2013 Lincoln MKS can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2013 Lincoln MKS reliability FAQ
Is the 2013 Lincoln MKS reliable?
The 2013 Lincoln MKS has 141 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about steering and electrical system. Compared with nearby MKS model years (2011–2015), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the MKS's typical year, while the 2012 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2013 Lincoln MKS problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Lincoln MKS are steering (60), electrical system (25), engine (22), fuel / propulsion system (12). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2013 Lincoln MKS have recalls?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2013 Lincoln MKS, including 13V227000 (fuel system) and 13V270000 (latches, locks & linkages). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2013 Lincoln MKS compare with the 2012 and 2014 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2012 has 17 complaints and 3 recalls (solid); the 2014 has 44 complaints and 2 recalls (caution). The 2013 has 141 complaints and 7 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2013 Lincoln MKS?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Lincoln MKS research
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2013 MKS, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.