2010 Lincoln Mkt Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2010 Lincoln Mkt has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Panoramic moonroof glass shattering while driving.” Lincoln uses Ford's Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor: it tracks how the vehicle is actually driven and calls for oil service when needed — up to 10,000 miles or 12 months on normal duty, much sooner with towing or repeated short trips. EcoBoost-powered Aviators and Nautilus models are turbocharged: heat is their maintenance story, so oil quality and cooling-system health matter more than on the old naturally aspirated V8s. Traditional V8 Navigators and Town Cars are long-interval machines — 100,000-mile plugs — that mostly reward fluid discipline.

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2010 Lincoln Mkt.

Reported to NHTSA

Panoramic moonroof glass shattering while driving

VISIBILITY, STRUCTURE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2011-12 → 2022-08

SUN ROOF EXPLODED SHOWERING DRIVER AND PASSENGER WITH SHARDS OF GLASS CUTTING HANDS AND ARMS. I BELIEVE THE SUN ROOF SHOULD BE LANINATED GLASS
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10438079
THE LARGE TEMPERED GLASS ROOF PANEL OF THE PANORAMIC "VISTA ROOF" ON MY 2010 LINCOLN MKT SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING WITH A LOUD, FRIGHTENING EXPLOSION WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE NY THRUWAY ON NOVEMBER 30, 2014
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10662932
TAKATA RECALL. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES NEAR US, OUR MOONROOF EXPLODED. WE WERE NOT NEAR ANY OVERPASS
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11044801

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Water pump failure sending coolant into engine oil

ENGINE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-04 → 2020-02

CATASTROPHIC WATER PUMP FAILURE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND WHITE PLUMES BURST FROM THE EXHAUST
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11311336
I CALLED AN MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME MY COOLANT LEAKED INTO MY OIL MY WATER PUMP FAILED. IT FAILED INTERNAL TO THE TIMING CHAIN COVER AND DUMPED A LARGE AMOUNT OF COOLANT INTO THE CRANKCASE WHICH THEN CONTAMINATED THE ENGINE OIL AND OVER FILLED THE OIL PAN
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11204648

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Power steering assist failure while driving

STEERING

31 NHTSA complaints · 2010-09 → 2023-02

I was driving home from work thru a construction area and all of a sudden my power steering/collision warning came on and the signal with the slippery tire car symbol. My power steering went out i almost hit a concrete wall but was able to steer car in development off main road
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11509097
THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL OPERATION
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11366986
EXPAND RECALL 15V340000 & 15S18 (LOSS OF STEERING) THIS IS THE 2ND COMPLAINT FILED IN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS FOR THIS 2010 MKT. THE 1ST WAS ON 12-24-15 IN WHICH A COMPLAINT WAS MADE ON THIS SITE AND IS VIEWABLE, BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY FEEDBACK AS OF YET
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10837417

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Turbocharger failure with shudder and loss of power

POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

7 NHTSA complaints · 2012-07 → 2021-04

TURBO HAS GONE OUT BUT THIS MAKES THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED. I HAVE INVESTIGATED THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHERS AND HAVE FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TURBOS!
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11407356
OVER THE LAST 2 WEEKS, MY LINCOLN MKT HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL EPISODES OF SHUDDERING AND LOSS OF POWER. IN ADDITION, A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SMOKE HAS BEEN SPEWING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPES OCCASIONALLY - THIS USUALLY HAPPENS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10947975
ON SIX OCCASIONS A FLAME FOLLOWED BY BILLOWING BACK SMOKE HAS POURED FROM MY VEHICLE. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TURBOCHARGER - ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10468319

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Exhaust odor and smoke entering cabin

UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2015-11 → 2018-01

A GAS TYPE ODOR ENTERS CABIN OF VEHICLE. I BELIEVE IT TO BE CARBON MONOXIDE. I OFTEN HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS EVEN IN COLD WINTER WEATHER TO PREVENT CARBON MONOXIDE FROM OVERTAKING THE CABIN WHEN THE HEATING SYSTEM IS ON
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11065256
AFTER DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED OR HIGH LOAD AND THEN COMING TO A STOP, AN EXHAUST SMELL WILL FILL THE CABIN WITH VISIBLE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10957256

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Hydraulic brake grinding and unresponsiveness

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2 NHTSA complaints · 2009-12 → 2010-12

WITHIN WEEKS OF GETTING MY 2010 LINCOLN MKT THE BRAKES WERE ACTING STRANGE AND MAKING A GRINDING SOUND. I FELT THAT THE STOPS WERE GETTING DANGEROUSLY UNRESPONSIVE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10369749
REPEATED BRAKE FAILURE STARTING DECEMBER 16, 2009. OCCURS EVERY TIME WE START USING THE CAR AFTER IT HAS SAT FOR AWHILE UNTIL BRAKES ARE PUMPED UP OR SEVERAL STOPS ARE MADE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10297595

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil-Life Monitor)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the Oil-Life Monitor calls it — up to 10,000 miles or 12 months. EcoBoost engines (Aviator 3.0T): use the specified synthetic and don't stretch the monitor; turbos cook marginal oil.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles. Heavy Navigators shift a lot of weight — even wear is a ride-quality item, not just a tire-budget item.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil service. Town Car livery duty and Navigator towing both count as severe service for brakes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford schedules the 10-speed (10R80) and 6-speed automatics at 150,000 miles normal duty — but 60,000 miles with towing or livery use, which describes many Lincolns. Mercon ULV / the specified Mercon type only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

V8 Navigator and Town Car: 100,000-mile plugs. EcoBoost V6 (Aviator, Nautilus 2.7T): commonly around 60,000 miles — check your year's guide; turbo engines run shorter plug lives.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles per Ford's schedule; sooner in dusty climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Rear Differential Fluid (RWD/4WD)

Every 60,000 mi

Navigator, Aviator RWD, and Town Car: replace rear axle fluid around 60,000 miles with towing or livery duty (150,000 normal per Ford). Limited-slip axles need the friction modifier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Serpentine / Accessory Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking. The 5.4L Navigator's belt also drives the cooling fan clutch on some years — a failure overheats fast.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped. (2004-era Town Cars predate cabin filters; modern Lincolns locate it behind the glovebox.)

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement

Every 100,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (OAT) on modern models: first change around 10 years / 200,000 miles per Ford, though shops commonly refresh by 100,000. Older green-coolant V8s: every 5 years. Never mix chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Feature-heavy Lincolns (air suspension compressors, power everything) expose weak batteries as electrical gremlins first.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

5 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

1

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2010 Lincoln Mkt reflects Lincoln's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.