Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln MKS vs FORD F 150
How the Lincoln MKS and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Lincoln MKS vs FORD F 150: the MKS averages about 46.6 complaints per year over 8 years with 19 recalls, while the F-150 averages about 1,162 per year over 10 years with 151 recalls. MKS reports center on steering assist loss; F-150 reports center on transmission limp mode. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln MKS or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lincoln MKS
The Lincoln MKS is a low-volume luxury sedan that averages about 46.6 complaints per year across 8 years, with 19 recalls. The complaint pattern is dominated by steering problems (120 of 373 complaints), and owners describe power steering assist cutting out mid-drive, sometimes after a prior recall repair. Engine overheating and brake/traction-control faults also show up, so living with one means budgeting for recurring electronic and steering repairs rather than routine wear.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup averaging about 1,162 complaints per year over 10 years, with 151 recalls. Complaints cluster around the power train (3,648) and electrical system (2,100), and owners describe transmissions dropping into limp mode or sticking in a gear, plus repeated lead-frame failures. Rear-window defroster shorts that shatter glass and lighting faults also appear, so ownership means staying on top of recall notices and transmission behavior.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln MKS | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 373 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 19 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 23 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 46.6 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 54 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 59 | 1 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Lincoln MKS
- 01STEERING120
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM55
- 03ENGINE47
- 04SERVICE BRAKES33
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER27
Owners report the power steering assist suddenly failing, making the wheel very hard to turn, especially at low speed, and some say it happened again after an earlier recall repair. This matters because losing assist mid-turn is a real control problem, not just an inconvenience.
Complaints describe a 'Power Steering Assist Fault' warning followed by heavy steering, with one owner paying around $1,800 for a prior fix that failed again. Electrical gremlins like this can strand a buyer in an expensive repeat repair loop.
Owners report the car smoking and running hot while the temperature gauge lags behind, and one describes the gauge swinging from cool to hot with loss of power. Overheating that isn't shown promptly risks serious engine damage if a buyer ignores early signs.
Reports include steering lockup combined with brake and traction-control malfunction and multiple warning lights, plus vibration when braking traced to rear rotors. Brake and stability faults together are a safety concern a buyer should verify before purchase.
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Power Steering While driving yesterday, doing shopping and online order deliveries, the steering wheel started having slight resistance during turns. It became…”
“In 2015 a recall was done to repair the power steering failure issue. In October of 2021, while driving the vehicle down the highway, the power steering went out making the vehicle almost impossible to steer. Had the vehicle towed to the dealership where they…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners describe the truck going into limp mode and getting stuck in 5th gear almost daily, and repeated lead-frame failures that one owner says nearly caused a collision. Transmission faults on a pickup affect towing, highway merging, and basic drivability.
Complaints repeat the lead-frame issue and describe an output speed sensor failure (code P0722) putting the truck into highway limp mode even after a recall software update. Electrical faults here can disable power delivery with little warning.
One owner reports the rear window shattering outward minutes after using the rear defroster, attributed to a short in the defroster circuit. Glass failure like this is a surprise safety and water-intrusion risk.
Exterior lighting is among the most-complained areas (1,224 complaints), though the sample text doesn't detail specific failures. Buyers should still check all lamps and related wiring, since lighting faults affect visibility and inspection compliance.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Lincoln MKS — 19 recalls
The defect: 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, r…
The 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.
The 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…
The defect: 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 For…
The 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.
The 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…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high spe…
The risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…
The defect: 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, r…
The 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.
The 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…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Lincoln MKS or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Lincoln MKS has far fewer issues per year (about 46.6 versus about 1,162 for the F-150), but that gap partly reflects how many more F-150s are on the road. In practice, MKS problems concentrate in steering and electronics, while F-150 problems concentrate in transmission and electrical faults that can trigger limp mode.
Key differences
- Steering is the top MKS complaint (120), with owners reporting sudden loss of power assist; the F-150's top area is power train (3,648), with limp mode and stuck gears.
- MKS owners describe repeat power steering faults after prior fixes, while F-150 owners describe a long-running lead-frame issue despite recalls.
- MKS complaints include overheating with a slow temperature gauge; F-150 complaints include an output speed sensor fault that triggers highway limp mode.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 19 for the MKS, and its recall subjects include engine, seat belt pretensioner, door latch, and air bag inflator items.
- Test the steering at low speed and watch for a 'Power Steering Assist Fault' message; ask for proof any power steering recall or prior repair was completed.
- Check for overheating signs such as coolant loss, smoke, or a temperature gauge that moves late; have the cooling system inspected.
- Drive it through several gears and watch for limp mode, harsh shifts, or sticking in 5th gear; confirm recall 26S28 software work was done.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster operation for signs of shorting or prior glass replacement, and check all exterior lights.
Before you buy
- Pull the full recall history by VIN for both vehicles and confirm each recall repair was actually performed.
- On the MKS, test steering assist at parking-lot speeds and scan for stored power steering and brake codes.
- On the F-150, test-drive at highway speed and check for limp mode, transmission codes like P0722, and lead-frame service records.
- Ask for maintenance records showing cooling system and brake work on the MKS, and transmission service on the F-150.
- Have a independent mechanic inspect both before purchase, focusing on the specific complaint areas above.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Lincoln MKS or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln MKS vs FORD F 150
- Lincoln MKS total complaints
- 373
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Lincoln MKS total recalls
- 19
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Lincoln MKS avg complaints/year
- 46.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln MKS
- Lincoln MKS top complaint area
- STEERING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN