Lincoln MKT Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls ā NHTSA data
Comparing used Lincoln MKT options? We analyzed 10 model years (2010ā2019) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Found a Lincoln MKT? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns ā they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Lincoln MKT has 246 owner complaints and 18 safety recalls across model years 2010ā2019. The most reported issue area is STEERING. 2016 drew the most complaints; 2019 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Lincoln
- Model
- MKT
- Model years analyzed
- 2010ā2019 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 246
- Safety recall campaigns
- 18
- Crash-related complaints
- 4
- Fire-related complaints
- 3
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2016 (9 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2019 (0 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- STEERING
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Lincoln MKT: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used ā lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record ā lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe LINCOLN MKT has 246 NHTSA complaints and 18 recalls on record. 4 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 246 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 18 federal recall campaigns
- 4 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
18 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
STRUCTURE:BODY
STRUCTURE:BODY
SUSPENSION:REAR
SUSPENSION:REAR
SUSPENSION:REAR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2010ā2019. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 246 NHTSA complaints ā these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
246 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
my power steering sensor fault light came on and it was recalled a while back & expired a few months ago unbeknownst to me.
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel became firm. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 197,000.
Car begin smoking out of the back took car to dealership car oil was low. Car dealership refilled oil and told me to come back after driving 1000 miles. Car began smoking again like it was going to catch on fire took car in was told the turbo boost failed. Dealership mention that the turbo boost was previously repaired and under warranty so they repaired it. Car started smoking again I took car to dealership to get an oil change and made them aware that the car was smoking bad again. I was informed that it takes a while for the oil to burn out of the exhaust. Two days later I when to the store to pick up my medication and once again the car began smoking and the smoke was comin into the car, the check engiene like came on and the oil light came on as I was driving. The car began to make ding sound and start stuttering like it was going to shut off. I tried to acclerator and the car was still going slow as I was driving on a busy street. I got the car home and the next day called to have it towed to dealership. 3/2/2023 Called the dealership because I have not heard from them and was informed that the turbo boost failed again.
Sometimes while starting the car, the power steering does not work and the car can barely be maneuvered out of a parking spot. Turning the car off and re-starting it fixes the problem however this happens about every other week. This has not happened while the car has been in motion thankfully as Iām sure this would cause an accident. The mileage this started was about 200,000 miles. There is a recall but apparently this car does not qualify for a free fix by the manufacturer. It is an expensive repair according to internet searches or vehicle owners with the same issues and reports that most people do not have the repair done due to the high cost.
Power steering assist fault error. The power steering stopped working.
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that at start-up the power steering assist failed to operate as needed with the power steering assist message on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The contact then had the vehicle towed to the dealer where he was informed that the recall had expired. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back to the dealer and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that his vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Read 14 more owner reports
ON WEDNESDAY 4/7/21 MY CAR SHOWED A WARNING OF LOW OIL PRESSURE 1X FOR ABOUT 6 SECONDS. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AFTER THAT. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL TUFFY SHOP. BOTH TURBOS ARE BLOWN!! THE ENGINE LIGHT BRINGS UP EMISSION PROBLEM AND CATYLYTIC CONVERTER. NOTHING ABOUT ANY ENGINE ISSUES!! THE MECHANIC SAID THERE IS OIL SHOOTING INTO MY ENGINE!! I JUST GOT AN OIL CHANGE 3 WEEKS AGO, MY CARS OIL METER READS FINE. NO LOW OIL!!! THE CAR DRIVES FINE. NO INDICATION. NO OIL LEAK, BRAND NEW OIL PAN, OIL IS NOT LOW!! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?? THE CAR IS AS QUIET AS A CHURCH MOUSE. NO ENGINE KNOCKING, NO OVERHEATING NOTHING . THIS IS OBVIOUS A PROBLEM. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL ON THE TURBOS IF THEY KNOW THEY GO BAD???? WHAT IS THE INDICATOR??? I NEED HELP WITH A NEW ENGINE, I LOVE THIS CAR😭😭😭
VEHICLE HAS ORIGINAL 20" ALUMINUM WHEELS. THE CAR RIMS ARE SHOWING ADVANCED CORROSION AND DEEP PITTING OF THE CHROME NEAR THE WHEEL MOUNTING STUDS AND BETWEEN THE SPOKES. I SUSPECT GALVANIC CORROSION. WASHING AND WAXING WHEELS DOES NOT HELP.
STABILIZATION BARS OR LIFTGATE STRUTS GAVE OUT WHILE SITTING AFTER SUV WAS LOADED WHEN I GOT HOME THE LIFTGATE OPENED AND IMMEDIATELY SHUT IT WOULD NOT STAY OPEN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LEITH LINCOLN (LOCATED AT 7900 CAPITAL BLVD, RALEIGH, NC 27616, (919) 872-9500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15340000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,500.
ON 12/10/2018 AT 5 PM I MADE A RIGHT TURN TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WHEN MY POWER STEERING FAILED MID TURN. SHOCKED AND SURPRISED AT TO WHAT WAS HAPPENING, I VEERED INTO THE ON COMING TRAFFIC NOT BEING ABLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE PROPER LANE BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT REQUIRED TO STEER. I MISSED HAVING AN ACCIDENT BY INCHES AND CUT OFF A DRIVER WHOM GOT ANGRY WITH ME AND I THOUGHT MIGHT FOLLOW ME HOME. I WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND RESTART IT FOR SEVERAL BLOCKS. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND STOP, I RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING RETURNED AS NORMAL. ON THE MY LINCOLN OWNER WEBSITE, IT REPORTED MY CAR NEEDING A POWER STEERING UPDATE. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS DURING THE PAST YEAR WHEN I HAD MY CAR IN TO THE LINCOLN DEALER FOR OTHER SERVICES, I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER. HE LOOKED SOMETHING UP ON HIS COMPUTER AND REPORTED MY CAR WAS OK, IGNORE THE MESSAGE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ZUMBROTA FORD (1660 SOUTH MAIN ST, ZUMBROTA, MN 55992) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERNAL PTU NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,945.
"TAKATA RECALL" I AM REACHING OUT TO NHTSA FOR THE SECOND TIME DO TO A RECALL THAT WAS ISSUE BACK ON JUNE 2, 2015 FOR 2011 LINCOLN MKT. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 15S18. A FEW WEEKS AGO I HAD A MESSAGE THAT CAME ACROSS MY DASHBOARD THAT READ SERVICES POWER STEERING AND 2 SEC LATER IT READ SERVICES POWER STEERING NOW. AS WE SPEAK MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE. THE CODE THAT COME UP ON THE TEST WAS P07AE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE CODE DESCRIPTION IT IS THE SAME THE DESCRIPTION THAT WAS IDENTIFIED IN THE RECALL. LINCOLN IS NOT TRYING TO HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE MY VIN DOESN`T SHOW UP.
"FAILURE OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST"- MY VEHICLE IS NOT SHOWING UP WHEN LOOKING FOR MY VIN NUMBER BUT IT CLEARLY HAS THIS ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING I RECEIVED A SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW MESSAGE AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS NO LONGER EASY TO TURN. RECALL NUMBER 15V340000. *TR
THE 20" ALUMINUM WHEELS ON MY VEHICLE ARE PROGRESSIVELY CORRODING AND THE CORROSION HAS NOW ADVANCED TO THE WHEEL FLANGE WHICH SEALS WITH THE TIRE BEAD. AS A RESULT, TIRE PRESSURE DEFLATES AT AN EVER INCREASING RATE. I HAVE BECOME CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEED DRIVING. IT APPEARS THAT AS MORE CORROSION OCCURS, TIRE DEFLATION ALSO OCCURS AT A FASTER RATE. THESE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE OPTIONAL WHEELS WHICH SHOULD NOT BE CORRODING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,900.
HARD SHIFTING WHEN ROLLING DOWN OR DRIVING IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC. DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS BUT IT STILL HAPPENING LACK OF POWER RATTLE, KNOCKING SOUND WHEN ACCELERATE. *TR
CPSC: I1370188A. 2011 LINCOLN MKT. CONSUMER STATED THE REAR DOOR LOCKS DO NOT ALLOW THE DOORS TO BE OPENED BY THE PASSENGERS UNLESS THE DRIVER UNLOCKS THE DOORS BY PUSHING THE REAR DOOR RELEASE. *LN
UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION IN COLD WEATHER, THE VEHICLE HESITATES CONTINUOUSLY AND REPEATEDLY. 3 TRIPS TO DEALER AND A CALL TO FORD TO RESOLVE ISSUE. THEY REPLACED A FUEL INJECTOR AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY. PROBLEM MAY BE COMING BACK, ABOUT A YEAR LATER. *TR
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKT. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V827000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the passenger's side B-pillar trim had partially detached. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear-view camera was intermittently inoperable. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
Showing 20 of 246 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Lincoln MKT
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations ā hereās what each number actually tells you about a used Lincoln MKT, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is ā but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Lincoln MKT has 246 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Lincoln MKT has 18 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 4 of the Lincoln MKT's 246 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions ā a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable ā simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Lincoln MKT vehicles on the road ā not any specific car. Two Lincoln MKT vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage ā NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Lincoln MKT has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Lincoln MKT stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Lincoln MKT by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Lincoln MKT.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Lincoln MKT reliability ā frequently asked questions
Is the Lincoln MKT reliable?
Poor. The Lincoln MKT has 246 NHTSA owner complaints and 18 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is STEERING. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Lincoln MKT years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2016 (9 complaints), 2017 (3 complaints), 2019 (0 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Lincoln MKT problems?
Top reported issues: STEERING (99 complaints); STRUCTURE (32 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (30 complaints).
Does the Lincoln MKT have recalls?
Yes ā 18 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Lincoln MKT. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.