Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
2013AVOIDSerious complaints 3.2× usual, mostly steering and engine
111 serious complaints of 141, the most about steering (60) and engine (22); 3.2× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2013 vehicles. 7 recalls.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with the power steering gear being inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Jun 2024
“The contact owns a 2013 lincoln mks. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The vehicle was restarted. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Feb 2021
141 owner complaints · 7 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 20–21 mpg · NHTSA: 5 of 5 stars · 2013 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 turbo, 365 hp; 3.7L 6-cyl, 305 hp · Drive: AWD, FWD
2013 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.