Model year record

2012 Lincoln MKS recalls & problems

The 2012 Lincoln MKS has 3 safety recalls and 17 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering (8 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints17filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SteeringJun 2, 2015

Electric power assist system

Recall 15V340000393,623 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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 equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
Risk: 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.

StructureJan 28, 2015

Body › Door

Recall 15V040000194,889 vehicles

Problem: 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 door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
Risk: If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S02.

Fuel system, gasolineMar 27, 2013

Storage › Tank assembly

Recall 13V1090003,037 vehicles

Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and model year 2013 Explorer vehicles manufactured July 19, 2011, through March 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the fuel tanks may have a marginally sealed seam in the side of the tank. As a result, the fuel tanks may not provide the expected strength in the event of an impact. The tanks may also leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tanks and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S03. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2012 Lincoln MKS 4 DR AWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	11.8%

2012 Lincoln MKS 4 DR FWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	11.8%

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

MKS FWD

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

MKS AWD

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

MKS AWD

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
SteeringElectric power assist system	8	0	104,000 mi
Electrical system	4	1	—
Unknown or other	4	0	—
StructureBody	2	1	—
Power train	2	0	—
Fuel system, gasoline	2	0	—
Engine	1	0	—
Visibility/wiper	1	0	—
Exterior lighting	1	0	—
Service brakes	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel system, gasoline
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over the right side of the road and exited the vehicle and became aware of a leak underneath the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V109000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Aug 8, 2026 · 130,000 miles
Steering
This is additional information related to my prior complaint 1167880 regarding the 2012 Lincoln MKS steering issue.
Jul 20, 2025
Steering
Iâve owned my 2012 Lincoln MKS for 3 years. A warning recently appeared saying âPower Steering Assist Fault,â and now the steering is very hard to turn, especially at low speeds. Iâve already paid around $1,800 in the past to fix this issue once, but now Iâm experiencing the same or similar problems again. I havenât had it officially diagnosed this time because both Ford and the dealer told me it wouldnât be covered, since the recall (15S18) is now expired. This is a serious safety issue. The car is difficult to control and unsafe to drive. Iâm a full-time worker and a father of two toddlers, and Iâm still making payments on this car that I now canât safely use â or…
Jul 24, 2025
Steering
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 counting. In September of 2015, the recall associated with a fault in the electric power steering system (number 15S18) was completed at the dealership. The recommended maintenance scheduled has been followed since the vehicle was purchased in January 2012.
Jun 26, 2025
Steering
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. The mechanic related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 15N01. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the same assessment was made. The dealer ordered the part for the repair; however, the manufacturer's warranty department denied the claim for the repair after several attempts. The…
Aug 25, 2024 · 158,000 miles
Steering
Power Steering Assist Failure
Jul 11, 2024
Steering › Electric power assist system
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 vehicle was also taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the lower control arms and bushing did not need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000…
Mar 8, 2023 · 104,000 miles
Service brakes
I heard on the news that there is a recall on the brake hose and I am always putting brake fluid in i just put some in 03/27/2023 but when I put my vin # in nothing comes up for a recall I have a 2012 lincoln mks awd
Mar 27, 2023

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.