Lincoln · MKT · 2012
1
Recall
27
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2012 Lincoln MKT has 1 recall and 27 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: steering (17 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2012 Lincoln MKT page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is steering with 17 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed, the Service Advancetrac warning light was illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer...
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The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the power steering system failure warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to maneuver the steering wheel as needed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that ...
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The recall work was done on 10/27/2015. Ford Lincoln knows there is a problem with the power steering. They will not redo the work that needs to be done properly because of their faulty power steering module. They did not replace the module; they only made an adjustment to it. I ...
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The car had a recall, and they worked on it. A few years later the power steering went out while driving and almost had an accident. They did not replace the steering gear they only worked on the steering module. If they had replaced the steering gear, it may have solved the whol...
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The contact's grandmother owned a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that when his grandmother was starting the vehicle, she experienced a loss of power steering assist. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it w...
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The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while making a turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact drove at a slow speed to his residence. The contact took the vehi...
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The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that the twin-turbo became inoperable. The contact stated that oil was entering the exhaust and the contact was unable to see other vehicles. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local deale...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AFTER REFUELING, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLETON LINCOLN LOCATED AT 1610 WAUKEGAN AVE, GLENVIEW, IL 60025, (888)214-2155, WHERE I...
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I STARTED MY 2012 LINCOLN MKT 3.5L THE STEERING WAS HARD TO TURN AND THE DASHBOARD ERROR MESSAGE READS 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. I GOOGLE IT AND IT SHOWED THAT THE 'POWER STEERING ASSIT FAULT ERROR MESSAGE WAS ON RECALL ON JUNE 2015. I TOWED THE CAR TO LINCOLN ON 1610 WAUKEGA...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN MKT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDE...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 27 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2012 Lincoln models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2012 Lincoln MKT has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 27 owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Lincoln MKT.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2012 Lincoln MKT.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2012 Lincoln MKT are steering (17 reports), unknown or other (2 reports), steering,electronic stability control (esc) (1 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2012 Lincoln MKT. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.