The 2014 Lincoln Mkt carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering electrical system and fuel pump. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Panoramic sunroof/moonroof 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Campaign #15V172000 · Mar 24, 2015
Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Lincoln MKT vehicles with a limousine or hearse preparation package, manufactured March 6, 2012, to March 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the vacuum pump relay may overheat due to an internal fault or contamination.
Risk: If the vacuum pump relay overheats, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vacuum pump relay with a new electro-mechanical relay, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S10.
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.
SUSPENSION:REAR
Campaign #20V072000 · Oct 2, 2020
Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2014 Lincoln Mkt.
VISIBILITY, STRUCTURE
24 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2025-01
“PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE RIDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY”
“PANORAMIC GLASS ROOF SUDDENLY BROKE OFF WHEN DRIVING”
“SUN ROOF GLASS SHATTERED, THIS IS CAR NUMBER 315, WE ARE A LIVERY COMPANY AND THIS IS CAR 1 OF 5 (SO FAR) TO HAVE THE SUN ROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTER OUT OF 18 CARS PURCHASED (ALL 2014 LINCOLN MKT'S.) *TR”
SUSPENSION
4 NHTSA complaints · 2020-08 → 2020-10
“I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM LINCOLN IN EARLY 2020 FOR A RECALL ON REAR SUSPENSION TOW LINKS”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LINCOLN MKT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V072000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-10 → 2020-12
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE RADIO CLIMATE TEMPERATURE CONTROL PANEL RANDOMLY ACTIVATED AND ERRONEOUSLY CHANGE MODES”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE RADIO CLIMATE TEMPERATURE CONTROL PANEL RANDOMLY ACTIVATED AND ERRONEOUSLY CHANGE MODES”
“WHEN CAR TURNS ON THE RADIO WILL PUT THE HEAT ALL THE WAY UP IN 80 DEGREE WEATHER AND WHEN YOU TRY TO ADJUST IT GOES BACK UP TO HI HEAT”
STEERING
7 NHTSA complaints · 2019-03 → 2025-07
“Turn car on and the steering wheel was impossible to turn”
“There is a recall for this on different VIN for this year and car, but not this VIN. The electric power steering locks up unable to move when you hit a bump or try to turn into somewhere or just changing lanes”
“AFTER STARTING THE CAR FROM A COLD (65 DEGREE) CONDITION, THE DISPLAY SHOWED AN ERROR MESSAGE "ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" AND I OBSERVED NO POWER STEERING”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
8 NHTSA complaints · 2016-09 → 2026-04
“The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled and shut off and failed to restart”
“Car suddenly stalled/turned off. Moving at low, parking lot, speed”
“UNABLE TO START CAR. INITIALLY NO KEY DETECTED APPEARED AS A WARNING WHILE DRIVING THE CAR”
BACK OVER PREVENTION
4 NHTSA complaints · 2021-01 → 2025-09
“Backup camera has failed. This is a very important safety item to avoid injuring children playing behind the vehicle”
“The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while reversing at 5 MPH, the rear camera was inoperable and the message "Camera Unavailable" was displayed”
“THE BACKUP CAMERA FREQUENTLY STOPS WORKING, WHICH GREATLY REDUCES REARWARD VISIBILITY AND COMPROMISES SAFETY”
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.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
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.
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.
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.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
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.
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.
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.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
1 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.
2
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 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.