2012 Lincoln MKS reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2012 Lincoln MKS holds 17 complaints after 15 years, a rate of 0 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most MKS years here — under the median of the other years, which is 2. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Electric power steering, Door, and Tank.

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Steering (8 of 17), then Electrical system (4) and Fuel system, gasoline (2). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash.

Next to 2013

The 2013 MKS has 141 complaints, 6 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Lincoln MKS. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (3)

Recall Electric power steering 2015-06-02 · NHTSA campaign 15V340000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall structure, body, door 2015-01-28 · NHTSA campaign 15V040000

Summary 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.

Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S02.

Recall gasoline fuel system, storage, tank 2013-03-27 · NHTSA campaign 13V109000

Summary 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.

Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tanks and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S03. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

Complaints by component (17 total)

Steering

Electrical system

Fuel system, gasoline

Powertrain

Structure

Engine

Exterior lighting

Service brakes

Visibility and wipers

Show 1 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over the right side of the road and exited the vehicle and…"
Fuel system, gasoline · filed 2026-08-10
"This is additional information related to my prior complaint 1167880 regarding the 2012 Lincoln MKS steering issue."
Steering, Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2025-08-09
"I’ve owned my 2012 Lincoln MKS for 3 years. A warning recently appeared saying “Power Steering Assist Fault,” and now the steering is very hard to turn, especially at low speeds. I’ve already paid around $1,800 in the…"
Steering, Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2025-08-06
"After starting the vehicle on Thursday 6/26/2025, the Power Steering Assist Fault message appeared in the message center. The owner's manual was consulted and as recommended, the engine was turned off for over 10…"
Steering · filed 2025-07-03
"The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while attempting to drive out of a parking space, the message "Power Assist Failure" was displayed, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle…"
Steering · filed 2024-10-09

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2012 Lincoln MKS 4 DR AWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	4 stars
2012 Lincoln MKS 4 DR FWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
MKS all-wheel drive	3.7L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	16	23	19 MPG	$3400
MKS all-wheel drive	3.5L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	17	24	20 MPG	$3250
MKS front-wheel drive	3.5L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	17	24	20 MPG	$3250

Specs and fitment

1st generation, 2012–2016

Body styles Sedan

Oil 5W-30 , 6 qt capacity

Tire size 235/55R18, 255/45R19, 245/45R20 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 16V-621 covers certain 2013-2015 Lincoln MKS vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI EcoBoost engines, and also certain Ford Taurus, Flex, and Lincoln MKT vehicles: dealers inspect the fuel pump electronic module part number and replace the fuel PEM as necessary. Recall 15V-464 covers certain 2015 MKS vehicles among other Ford and Lincoln models: dealers test the parking brake system and, if necessary, replace the parking brake control module.

Compare

Next year 2013 Lincoln MKS See every Lincoln MKS model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Lincoln MKS reliable?

What are common problems with a 2012 Lincoln MKS?

The complaints owners file most often name Steering (8 of 17), then Electrical system (4) and Fuel system, gasoline (2). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash.

Is the 2012 Lincoln MKS more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 MKS has 141 complaints, 6 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Lincoln MKS been recalled?

The 2012 Lincoln MKS has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Lincoln MKS?

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2012 Lincoln MKS with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Lincoln MKS get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Lincoln MKS is 19.7 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Lincoln MKS take?

5W-30; capacity is about 6 quarts with filter.

What does recall 16V-621 cover on the MKS?

Certain 2013-2015 MKS vehicles with 3.5L GTDI EcoBoost engines (and certain other Ford/Lincoln models): see the NHTSA campaign for the defect and remedy.

What tire sizes did the MKS use?

235/55R18, 255/45R19, or 245/45R20 depending on trim.