LINCOLN MKT · model year

2012 LINCOLN MKT

33 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012LINCOLNMKT carries 33 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 MKT is steering with 18 filings, followed by electrical system (2) and engine (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2012 MKT, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

33
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

33 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
ENGINE2
POWER TRAIN2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
STEERING:COLUMN1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER1

Recalls (1)

15V34000002/06/2015

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 equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford

Recent Complaints

20250911STEERING

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.

Mileage: 200,000

20241205STEERING

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.

Mileage: 12,980

20241022STEERING

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.

20240813STEERING

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 c

20221220ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that the twin-turbo became inoperable. The contact stated that oil was entering the exhaust and the contact was unable to see other vehicles. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and referred him to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

Mileage: 82,000

20221220ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that the twin-turbo became inoperable. The contact stated that oil was entering the exhaust and the contact was unable to see other vehicles. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and referred him to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

Mileage: 82,000

20221206STEERING:COLUMN

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.

Mileage: 45,000

20210601STEERING

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.

Mileage: 151,566

20200608STEERING

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.

Mileage: 300,000

20200607STEERING

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?

Mileage: 300,000

20200601STEERING

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.

Mileage: 181,000

20200301ENGINE

MY 2012 LINCOLN MKT WITH THE 3.5L TWIN TURBO V6 ECOBOOST ENGINE IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PUMP AS THE 2013-2015 MKT MODELS THAT WERE PART OF RECALL CAMPAIGN #16S31. MY CAR WAS ALSO MANUFACTURED AT THE SAME OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY AND WITHIN THE DATES SPECIFIED. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE CAR STALLED AND THEN STOPPED SUDDENLY STOP AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. THERE WERE NO ALERTS OR INDICATORS ON THE DASH. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON, THE DASH LIT UP BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THERE WAS A LOT OF OIL UNDER THE CAR WHICH APPEARED TO SPILL OUT WHEN THE FUEL PUMP OVERHEATED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. I AM NOW BEING TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND TURBO CHARGERS. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR 7 MONTHS AND HAVE DRIVEN IT ONLY 7500 MILES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CAR HAD 2 FULL SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGES DURING THIS TIME. HOWEVER, THE LINCOLN MECHANIC TOLD MY WARRANTY COMPANY THAT THE ENGINE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO "OIL STARVATION" WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY IN

Mileage: 81,000

20200301FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY 2012 LINCOLN MKT WITH THE 3.5L TWIN TURBO V6 ECOBOOST ENGINE IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PUMP AS THE 2013-2015 MKT MODELS THAT WERE PART OF RECALL CAMPAIGN #16S31. MY CAR WAS ALSO MANUFACTURED AT THE SAME OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY AND WITHIN THE DATES SPECIFIED. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE CAR STALLED AND THEN STOPPED SUDDENLY STOP AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. THERE WERE NO ALERTS OR INDICATORS ON THE DASH. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON, THE DASH LIT UP BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THERE WAS A LOT OF OIL UNDER THE CAR WHICH APPEARED TO SPILL OUT WHEN THE FUEL PUMP OVERHEATED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. I AM NOW BEING TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND TURBO CHARGERS. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR 7 MONTHS AND HAVE DRIVEN IT ONLY 7500 MILES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CAR HAD 2 FULL SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGES DURING THIS TIME. HOWEVER, THE LINCOLN MECHANIC TOLD MY WARRANTY COMPANY THAT THE ENGINE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO "OIL STARVATION" WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY IN

Mileage: 81,000

20191230STEERING

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

Mileage: 142,000

20190926UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY NO ONE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND LIKE IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE SHOT MY CAR IN A CLOSE RANGE AND AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE I STARTED SWERVING. PULLED OVER FRANTIC TO SEE WHAT IT WAS MY SUNROOF GLASS WAS SHATTERED ALL AROUND THE EDGES GONE. I COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT OUT OF NOWHERE. THE TEMPERATURE WAS LIKE 67 DEGREES NO HOT OR COLD OUTSIDE. AM JUST GLAD THAT THE HIGHWAY WAS EMPTY

Mileage: 50

20190821STEERING

TWICE I HAVE RECEIVED THE MESSAGE 'POWER STEERING FAULT' WHEN STARTING MY CAR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT MOVE OR IS HARD TO MOVE. LUCKILY I HAVEN'T BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED. I HAVE SEEN RECALLS FOR OTHER VEHICLES REGARDING THIS ISSUE.

Mileage: 69,950

20190813STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKT. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ACTON FORD (76 POWDER MILL RD, ACTON, MA 01720, (978) 897-7000). THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENT FOR THE RECALL; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 3,000 MILES OVER THE RECALL WARRANTY DEADLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,600. *DT *TR *DT CONTACT STATED SHE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL.*JB

Mileage: 153,600

20190701POWER TRAIN

WAS DRIVING HEARD ODD NOISES AND BURNT FLUID TRANSFER CASE WAS DEFECTIVE BOTH OF MY FORD AWD DID ECACT SAME THING.

20190405STRUCTURE:BODY

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY, THE FRONT PORTION OF THE GLASS PANORAMIC ROOF SHATTERED WITHOUT RECEIVING ANY IMPACT. THERE WAS A VERY LOUD "POP" AND WHEN I PULLED OVER I DISCOVERED THE GLASS WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. NOTHING TO MY KNOWLEDGE IMPACTED THE ROOF.

Mileage: 49,000

20190125ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

STEERING COLUMN MOTOR GRINDS AND CLICKS WHEN EXTENDING AND RETRACTING. THIS OCCURS WHEN STARTING AND TURNING OFF THE CAR. STEERING WHEEL CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. IT WON'T EXTEND FULLY, OR MOVE UP AND DOWN.

Mileage: 84,445

Compare 2012LINCOLNMKT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 LINCOLN MKT have?
The 2012 LINCOLN MKT has 33 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 LINCOLN MKT?
The 2012 LINCOLN MKT received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 LINCOLN MKT?
Yes, the 2012 LINCOLN MKT has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 LINCOLN MKT?
The most-complained component for the 2012 LINCOLN MKT is STEERING with 18 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ENGINE.
Is the 2012 LINCOLN MKT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2012 LINCOLN MKT has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.