2012 Lincoln Mks Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Lincoln Mks.

20112013
Complaints
25
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2012 Lincoln Mks Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#17 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:98,500 mi
#24 complaints

Electrical Faults

Crash-related:1
#32 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Lincoln Mks.

Steering Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
98,500
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering:Electric Power Assist System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Lincoln Mks. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2012 Lincoln Mks

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~591,549 vehicles.

15V340000Steering:electric Power Assist System
~393,623 affected

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.

15V040000Structure:body:door
~194,889 affected

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.

13V109000Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
~3,037 affected

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.

Other Lincoln Mks Years

2012 Lincoln Mks — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2012 Lincoln Mks reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2012 Lincoln Mks has 25 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 7 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Lincoln Mks?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (7 complaints, avg 98,500 mi); Electrical Faults (4 complaints); Transmission / Drivetrain (2 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Lincoln Mks?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 98,500 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2012 Lincoln Mks?
NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Lincoln Mks include 2 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2012 Lincoln Mks have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 591,549 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2012 Lincoln Mks?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Lincoln Mks reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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