Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
2010GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly steering and speed control
46 serious complaints of 51, the most about steering (15) and speed control (10); 1.5× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2010 vehicles.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2010 lincoln mks. While driving approximately 70 mph, the power steering seized and the contact was unable to maneuver the vehicle. The power steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle had to be turned off and restarted several times in order to resume normal operation.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Aug 2019
“The contact owns a 2010 lincoln mks. The contact was driving approximately 50 mph with the cruise control activated. As the brake pedal was engaged, the cruise control deactivated with an abnormal acceleration. The vehicle then crashed into another vehicle. There were no injuries. A police report was filed of the incident.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the speed control, Nov 2012
51 owner complaints · 0 recalls · EPA combined: 19–20 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2010 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. NHTSA doesn't publish sales, so only big differences count. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl, 355 hp; 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 355 hp · Drive: AWD, FWD
2010 MKS trims
| EcoBoost |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Lincoln reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Lincoln aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 365 hp 3.7L 6-cyl, 305 hp | AWD, FWD | 19–20 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 3 | Electrical system (3) | No |
| 2015 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 365 hp 3.7L 6-cyl, 305 hp | AWD, FWD | 20–22 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 18 | Engine (5) | No |
| 2014 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 365 hp 3.7L 6-cyl, 305 hp | AWD, FWD | 20–22 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 44 | Steering (12) | No |
| 2013 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 365 hp 3.7L 6-cyl, 305 hp | AWD, FWD | 20–21 mpg | 5 of 5 | 7 | 141 | Steering (60) | No |
| 2012 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 355 hp 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 355 hp 3.7L 6-cyl, 275 hp | AWD, FWD | 19–20 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 17 | Steering (8) | No |
| 2011 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 355 hp 3.7L 6-cyl, 275 hp | AWD, FWD | 19–20 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 43 | Steering (21) | No |
| 2010 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 355 hp 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 355 hp | AWD, FWD | 19–20 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 51 | Steering (15) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Apple lists CarPlay for: MKS 2017–2018 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 3 |
| 2016 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 3 |
| 2015 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 18 |
| 2015 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 18 |
| 2014 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 44 |
| 2014 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 44 |
| 2013 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 7 | 141 |
| 2013 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 7 | 141 |
| 2012 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 17 |
| 2012 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 17 |
| 2011 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 43 |
| 2011 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 43 |
| 2010 | Lincoln MKS 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | Optional | No | 0 | 51 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | MKS AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
19 |
| 2016 | MKS FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L | 20 |
| 2015 | MKS AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
20–21 |
| 2015 | MKS FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L | 22 |
| 2014 | MKS AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
20–21 |
| 2014 | MKS FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L | 22 |
| 2013 | MKS AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
20–21 |
| 2013 | MKS FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L | 21 |
| 2012 | MKS AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L |
19–20 |
| 2012 | MKS FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2011 | MKS AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L |
19–20 |
| 2011 | MKS FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L | 19 |
| 2010 | MKS AWD | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
19–20 |
| 2010 | MKS FWD | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.