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Lincoln MKSModel year report

2012 Lincoln MKS Problems

Complaints
17filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
74,625miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Lincoln MKS (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2012 Lincoln MKS. The part named most often is steering, with 8 complaints (47% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and other or unknown (4). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 27% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 74,625 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 34 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Steering: “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 was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) needed to be reprogrammed, and the steering rack needed to be replaced. The mechanic related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 15N01. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the same assessment was made. …”

NHTSA complaint #11618842, filed 2024-10, 158,000 miles

Electrical system: “Loud popping and cracking noise coming from speakers even when the audio is powered off. I tried to update my sync system, but that didn't seem to resolve the problem. I have call the manufacture for help, but they were able to provide 0 assistance. This happens randomly, more in the evening or night time. While the car is both stationary and in motion.”

NHTSA complaint #11052821, filed 2017-12, 70,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Outside temp 27 f. Opened front passenger door and it would not stay shut. Had to use rope to tie passenger door to rear door behind driver to keep it shut so I could go to eye doctor, a three hour drive away. As temperature has risen, it seems to be latching to stay shut now, but I do not trust it.”

NHTSA complaint #11165214, filed 2019-01, 74,625 miles

Fuel system: “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 became aware of a leak underneath the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V109000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #11755941, filed 2026-08, 130,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

27% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 39,000 and 104,000 miles.

0%0–1018%10–259%25–5027%50–750%75–10036%100–1509%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 74,625 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2015201820203202432026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Lincoln MKS. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
MKS · sedan AWDnot rated———4 · 11.8% risk
MKS · sedan FWDnot rated———4 · 11.8% risk

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 Lincoln MKS version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
MKS AWD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172420$3,350
MKS AWD3.7L 6-cyl6-speed automatic162319$3,550
MKS FWD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172420$3,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2012 Lincoln MKS → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 34 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 34 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lincoln MKS

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20151849,0003522—Stable
20144477,000252225 · FewerFalling
201314271,0007521100 · MoreStable
20121774,6253—20—Rising
20114350,0003—1950 · TypicalRising
20105161,0000—1934 · FewerFalling
20095666,0001—1967 · MoreFalling

All Lincoln MKS model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Lincoln MKS have?

NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2012 Lincoln MKS as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Lincoln MKS is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 8 complaints (47% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.

Has the 2012 Lincoln MKS been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Lincoln MKS get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Lincoln MKS (MKS FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Lincoln MKS reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 74,625 miles and the middle half falls between 39,000 and 104,000 miles; 27% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.