Is climate control system activates and heats uncontrollably a known issue with the 2013 Lincoln Mks?

10 NHTSA complaints have been filed about climate control system activates and heats uncontrollably on the 2013 Lincoln Mks (2019-03 → 2025-04). Reported component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11652415): "The climate control system malfunctions by raising the temperature for the heater without any input. When turned off, it turns on by itself and resumes raising the temperature until it maxes out" Source: NHTSA.

Is power transfer unit fluid leak and failure a known issue with the 2013 Lincoln Mks?

3 NHTSA complaints have been filed about power transfer unit fluid leak and failure on the 2013 Lincoln Mks (2021-02 → 2023-03). Reported component: POWER TRAIN. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11509650): "PTU power transfer unit failed at 58,478 miles" Source: NHTSA.

Is water pump leak causing engine overheating and stall a known issue with the 2013 Lincoln Mks?

3 NHTSA complaints have been filed about water pump leak causing engine overheating and stall on the 2013 Lincoln Mks (2019-06 → 2025-09). Reported component: ENGINE. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11687372): "Water pump failure or malfunctioned causing the engine to over heat and then to engine stall going 75 mph. After having it towed it was determined the water pump was leaking" Source: NHTSA.

Is fuel pump/delivery module failure causing stall a known issue with the 2013 Lincoln Mks?

13 NHTSA complaints have been filed about fuel pump/delivery module failure causing stall on the 2013 Lincoln Mks (2013-08 → 2024-10). Reported component: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11365889): "MY 2013 MKS IS STALLING WHILING DRIVING NUMEROUS TIMES, ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT A FEW DAYS AGO. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2013 MKS FUEL MODULE BECAUSE IT CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING" Source: NHTSA.

2013 Lincoln Mks Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

Q: Is power steering assist loss while driving a known issue with the 2013 Lincoln Mks?

60 NHTSA complaints have been filed about power steering assist loss while driving on the 2013 Lincoln Mks (2015-07 → 2026-08). Reported component: STEERING. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11601522): "I was driving my 2013 limcoln mks and all of the sudden I could not turn the vehicle left or right. Then I had these 2 warnings: power assist fault and service advancetrac. This is very dangerous. It caused me to run my car into wall in front of me" Source: NHTSA.

Q: Is carbon monoxide exposure from keyless ignition left running a known issue with the 2013 Lincoln Mks?

8 NHTSA complaints have been filed about carbon monoxide exposure from keyless ignition left running on the 2013 Lincoln Mks (2016-02 → 2018-10). Reported component: ENGINE. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11142853): "WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE CONTACT'S PARENTS LEFT THE VEHICLE UNATTENDED AND ENTERED THEIR HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH KEYLESS ENTRY THAT DID NOT CHIME TO ALERT THE DRIVER THAT THE ENGINE REMAINED ACTIVE. AS A RESULT, CARBON" Source: NHTSA.

The 2013 Lincoln Mks carries 7 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering door and fuel pump. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Climate control system activates and heats uncontrollably.” 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.

7 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Campaign #15V040000 · Jan 28, 2015

Issue: 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.

Risk: If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Fix: 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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Campaign #16V621000 · Aug 25, 2016

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.

Risk: A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Campaign #15V812000 · Feb 12, 2015

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Campaign #15V340000 · Feb 6, 2015

Issue: 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.

Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

Campaign #14V393000 · Feb 7, 2014

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.

Risk: If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Campaign #13V227000 · May 31, 2013

Issue: Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

Campaign #13V270000 · Jun 26, 2013

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured November 29, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, with sufficient door openings and closings, the child safety locks may change from an activated position to a deactivated position without notice.

Risk: If the child lock is deactivated, the door could be unlocked and opened from the inside which could lead to personal injury to an unrestrained child.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the safety locks. If necessary, the locks will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Ford's recall number is 13S07. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2013 Lincoln Mks.

Reported to NHTSA

Climate control system activates and heats uncontrollably

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

10 NHTSA complaints · 2019-03 → 2025-04

“The climate control system malfunctions by raising the temperature for the heater without any input. When turned off, it turns on by itself and resumes raising the temperature until it maxes out”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11652415

“We just purchased this car and shortly after we were driving home and it just starts beeping and suddenly the heat comes on full blast, no one is touching the controls. This happens quite frequently and once it starts rising there doesnt seem to be a way to stop it”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11438269

“The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the heating system activated independently and was blowing hot air on a 90-degree summer day. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring and persisted while driving”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11630589

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power transfer unit fluid leak and failure

POWER TRAIN

3 NHTSA complaints · 2021-02 → 2023-03

“PTU power transfer unit failed at 58,478 miles”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11509650

“WHILE SERVICING MY LINCOLN MKS WITH AN OIL CHANGE, I NOTICED A BROWNISH FLUID LEAKING FROM MY INNER FRONT WHEEL AREA. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT THAT FLUID WAS FOR, SO I GOOGLED IT AND IT SAID IT COULD BE FROM A DEFECTIVE PTU ON MY AWD LINCOLN MKS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11395566

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering assist loss while driving

STEERING

60 NHTSA complaints · 2015-07 → 2026-08

“I was driving my 2013 limcoln mks and all of the sudden I could not turn the vehicle left or right. Then I had these 2 warnings: power assist fault and service advancetrac. This is very dangerous. It caused me to run my car into wall in front of me”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11601522

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11592482

“The electric power steering assist system shut down and the lane keep assist warning appeared and the steering wheel immediately became difficult to maneuver to turn left or right. It eventually locked while driving on the highway. I could have gotten in a serious car crash”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11540657

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Carbon monoxide exposure from keyless ignition left running

ENGINE

8 NHTSA complaints · 2016-02 → 2018-10

“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE CONTACT'S PARENTS LEFT THE VEHICLE UNATTENDED AND ENTERED THEIR HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH KEYLESS ENTRY THAT DID NOT CHIME TO ALERT THE DRIVER THAT THE ENGINE REMAINED ACTIVE. AS A RESULT, CARBON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11142853

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH BUTTON START FAILED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OFF WHEN IT WAS STILL ON, CAUSING CARBON MOXIDE TO FILL THE GARAGE. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER BECAME ILL DUE TO THE CARBON MONOXIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10905728

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS PARENTS DIED DUE TO CARBON MONOXIDE INTAKE CAUSED BY THE PUSH TO START FEATURE NOT SHUTTING OFF. THERE WERE NO WARNING SOUNDS OR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED THAT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10839042

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Water pump leak causing engine overheating and stall

ENGINE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-06 → 2025-09

“Water pump failure or malfunctioned causing the engine to over heat and then to engine stall going 75 mph. After having it towed it was determined the water pump was leaking”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11687372

“The contact stated that while reversing, there was a huge blast of white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for routine maintenance and was diagnosed and determined that the water pump was”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11670829

“THERE IS A LEAK COMING FROM THE WATER PUMP WHICH IS IN THE ENGINE. IT'S ON AVERAGE A $1700 FIX WHICH IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11223157

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump/delivery module failure causing stall

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

13 NHTSA complaints · 2013-08 → 2024-10

“MY 2013 MKS IS STALLING WHILING DRIVING NUMEROUS TIMES, ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT A FEW DAYS AGO. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2013 MKS FUEL MODULE BECAUSE IT CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11365889

“AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND PLACING THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRIC MODULE FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11033023

“I WENT TO CAL WORTHINGTON IN ANCHORAGE ALASKA WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR TO HAVE THE RECALL 13S04 FUEL DELIVERY MODULE REPLACED. NOW LESS THAN A WEEK WITH THE NEW MODULE, THE MODULE IS LEAKING AND THE GAS FUMES ARE OVERWHELMING INSIDE MY GARAGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10550564

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)

16 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.

complaints mentioning a crash

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls 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 2013 Lincoln Mks 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.

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