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2014 Lincoln Mks Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2014 Lincoln Mks carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering fuel pump and axle shaft. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Climate control heat malfunction.” 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.

2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

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.

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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2014 Lincoln Mks.

Reported to NHTSA

Climate control heat malfunction

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2018-08 → 2026-08

“The FCIM failed in the 98 degree heat. No warnings or indication that it failed other than the fans just started blowing full blast and full heat on a hot summer day”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11754672
“Many owners, including myself, have experienced a situation where the vehicle's heating system automatically increases to full heat without any driver input”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11738085
“8/3/2018 @ 31000 MILES A/C STOPPED BLOWING. JUST BEFORE THIS, NOTICED TEMP ROSE FROM 72* TO 85* AND HI. IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11119593

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Backup camera display failure

BACK OVER PREVENTION

3 NHTSA complaints · 2023-06 → 2025-09

“The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while in reverse, the rear-view camera failed to display an image as intended on the digital screen. An unknown message was displayed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11686930
“Ford has recalled vehicles that have back up camera issues. My back up camera image is upside down. My year was not included in the recall but has the same issue”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11686942
“Rear back up camera fails. I’ve noticed there is an active recall, on newer Lincoln’s, for this same problem”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11529736

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Water intrusion into cabin

STRUCTURE

2 NHTSA complaints · 2018-02 → 2019-06

“ALL FOUR DOORS STARTED RETAINING WATER AND I HAVE TO PULL THE RUBBER BACK AND LET IT DRAIN BUT WHEN THERE WAS A HARD RAIN I WOULD GET LEAKS FROM THE MOON ROOF AREA THAT LEAKED ON TO THE CONSOLE/GEARSHIFT AREA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11221949
“MAJOR WATER LEAK FROM ROOF BODY SEAM ON DRIVER SIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11075133

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering assist failure

STEERING

10 NHTSA complaints · 2019-03 → 2023-05

“I was driving down the street when all of a sudden my Lincoln beeps at me. it says “Service Advancetrac” and “Steering Assist Fault”. I lost all steering to my car and it swerved across four lanes of oncoming traffic until I crashed into a curb”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11451435
“The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with the "Steering Assist Fault, Service Required" message displayed on the instrument panel”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11476352
“The contact’s daughter owned a 2014 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The failure recurred several times and the steering wheel became locked completely”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11520008

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall and fuel pump failure

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

12 NHTSA complaints · 2016-09 → 2024-06

“The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the vehicle stalled upon acceleration. There were no warning lights illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11556063
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START-UP WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED AS FUEL PUMP FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11414960
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11350335

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

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)

8 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

0

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 2014 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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