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2012 Lincoln Mkt

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Lincoln Mkt do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 21.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

22 reports with mileage · 5 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Steering complaints

19 reports
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200,000 miles · Sep 11, 2025
Steering

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed, the Service Advancetrac warning light was illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed with steering rack and pi…

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The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed, the Service Advancetrac warning light was illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed with steering rack and pinion failure. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the repair would be covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000(Steering); however, the contact was later informed that the recall had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer scheduled an appointment with the dealer on the contact's behalf; however, the dealer declined to perform the repair. The contact was informed that the repair was at the dealer's discretion because the recall had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #11686723

12,980 miles · Dec 5, 2024
Steering

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the power steering system failure warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to maneuver the steering wheel as needed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the power steering needed to be replaced. The vehi…

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The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the power steering system failure warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to maneuver the steering wheel as needed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 12,980.

NHTSA ODI #11629042

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2024
Steering

The car had a recall, and they worked on it. A few years later the power steering went out while driving and almost had an accident. They did not replace the steering gear they only worked on the steering module. If they had replaced the steering gear, it may have solved the whole problem. They know there was a problem and did n…

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The car had a recall, and they worked on it. A few years later the power steering went out while driving and almost had an accident. They did not replace the steering gear they only worked on the steering module. If they had replaced the steering gear, it may have solved the whole problem. They know there was a problem and did not do their best to solve it. There may be thousands of vehicles waiting for the time when there could be a serious accident due to Ford's negligence. I was moving slow when the steering quit and may have saved my life or others in over vehicles. I was told it is over $4,000 to repair. I cannot afford the repair. I am without a vehicle to drive. I need it for doctors' appointments.

NHTSA ODI #11621244

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2024
Steering

The recall work was done on 10/27/2015. Ford Lincoln knows there is a problem with the power steering. They will not redo the work that needs to be done properly because of their faulty power steering module. They did not replace the module; they only made an adjustment to it. I almost had an accident because of the faulty power…

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The recall work was done on 10/27/2015. Ford Lincoln knows there is a problem with the power steering. They will not redo the work that needs to be done properly because of their faulty power steering module. They did not replace the module; they only made an adjustment to it. I almost had an accident because of the faulty power steering. When it went out it is almost impossible to turn the steering wheel. This problem could have created a serious accident with another vehicle, property or even a pedestrian. Anyone owning one of these vehicles could have the same serious problem. I am on limited income and cannot afford to have the problem repaired. I should not have to pay for the repair since Ford Lincoln knows it is a problem. What happened to me was when I was making a turn around a corner the power steering when out and I almost hit a car. I struggled to get it into a parking lot. The driver of the other car followed me in to curse me out. I told him what happened. He got in and checked it and saw it was not working properly. He was nice to offer to drive it to my home a short distance away. His wife followed us in his car. He was strong enough to turn the wheel. He told me to never drive it again that it was dangerous to drive. Ford should correct the problem since it is dangerous when it suddenly goes out.

NHTSA ODI #11608361

45,000 miles · Dec 6, 2022
Steering

The contact's grandmother owned a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that when his grandmother was starting the vehicle, she experienced a loss of power steering assist. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be…

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The contact's grandmother owned a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that when his grandmother was starting the vehicle, she experienced a loss of power steering assist. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The contact's grandmother was then offered and agreed to a trade-in. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #11496224

151,566 miles · Jun 1, 2021
Steering

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while making a turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact drove at a slow speed to his residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that the …

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The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while making a turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact drove at a slow speed to his residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle was over 150,000 miles and NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (Steering) would not be honored. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and stated that the recall letter was sent to the previous owner and since the vehicle was over 150,000 the repairs would be out of pocket. The failure mileage was approximately 151,566.

NHTSA ODI #11419142

300,000 miles · Jun 8, 2020
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AFTER REFUELING, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLETON LINCOLN LOCATED AT 1610 WAUKEGAN AVE, GLENVIEW, IL 60025, (888)214-2155, WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS EXCEEDED FOR INC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AFTER REFUELING, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLETON LINCOLN LOCATED AT 1610 WAUKEGAN AVE, GLENVIEW, IL 60025, (888)214-2155, WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS EXCEEDED FOR INCLUSION IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS EXCEEDED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR THE FREE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300,000.

NHTSA ODI #11327838

300,000 miles · Jun 7, 2020
Steering

I STARTED MY 2012 LINCOLN MKT 3.5L THE STEERING WAS HARD TO TURN AND THE DASHBOARD ERROR MESSAGE READS 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. I GOOGLE IT AND IT SHOWED THAT THE 'POWER STEERING ASSIT FAULT ERROR MESSAGE WAS ON RECALL ON JUNE 2015. I TOWED THE CAR TO LINCOLN ON 1610 WAUKEGAN AVE GLENVIEW IL, THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID AFTER …

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I STARTED MY 2012 LINCOLN MKT 3.5L THE STEERING WAS HARD TO TURN AND THE DASHBOARD ERROR MESSAGE READS 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. I GOOGLE IT AND IT SHOWED THAT THE 'POWER STEERING ASSIT FAULT ERROR MESSAGE WAS ON RECALL ON JUNE 2015. I TOWED THE CAR TO LINCOLN ON 1610 WAUKEGAN AVE GLENVIEW IL, THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID AFTER THE DIAGNOSIS THAT THE STEERING GEAR SHOULD BE REPLACED. I SAID OKAY THINKING THAT SINCE THE ERROR MESSAGE WAS ON RECALL IT WILL BE FREE. BUT WHEN I WAS PICKING THE CAR I WAS CHARGED $2806.21. MY QUESTION IS SHOULD I PAY FOR THIS RECALL REPAITS?

NHTSA ODI #11327594

181,000 miles · Jun 1, 2020
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED HIS WIFE CONTACTED KRIEGERS FORD LOCATED AT 3205 NORTH HIGHWAY 61, MUSCATINE, IA 52761, (563) 263-5324, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE MILEAGE EXCEEDED THE 150,000 MILES LIMIT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR THE FREE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,000.

NHTSA ODI #11326824

142,000 miles · Dec 30, 2019
Steering

LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE ENTERING A HIGHWAY. BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN.

NHTSA ODI #11292108

Official recalls

1

15V340000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Jun 2, 2015

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.