10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 4
Average Mileage:
46,434 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Lincoln MKS electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Lincoln MKS Owner Comments

problem #18

Oct 262021

MKS

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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. A simple google search shows that this is a well known problem by lincoln and happens a lot, there are a lot of forums and videos all showing the exact same issue. This is a major safety concern as it causes a distraction from the noise and sudden temp change, causes distractions as you frantically hit buttons trying to get it to stop, and could even cause the window to fog up. My dealer said its not covered by any recalls or warranty and wants $1000 to fix it. I called the lincoln help line and they said to report the issue to you.

- Napoleon, OH, USA

problem #17

Mar 122021

MKS

  • 61,400 miles
The power just comes on on my climate control and the temperature starts to go all the way up, and when you try to turn it off it comes back on and if you try to turn it down it goes back up it happens when my vehicle is in motion or stationary, it does that for a little while and stop then it starts doing it again. The first time it happen was 03/12/2021 but it happens almost everyday.

- Ecorse, MI, USA

problem #16

Mar 072021

MKS

  • miles
My vehicle's interior temperature will automatically increase to its maximum setting very quickly. I noticed that it's due to the touch sensitivity of the touch panel, which controls the vehicle's air conditioning, heat, music controls, and more. This has almost caused me to crash because of driver discomfort and having to warm up the touch panel with my hands, in order to allow it to stop changing by itself. This happens every day and is very concerning. Areas of the touch panel are unresponsive as well. I noticed this soon after my vehicle recieved an over-the-air update (a few months ago). This occurred just after my vehicle reached the 100K mile mark which was the warranty limit on the component. My vehicle currently has 111,900 miles on its odometer.

- Georgetown, TX, USA

problem #15

Jul 132017

MKS

  • 33,308 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On 7/13/17 my A/C fdim module was replaced for failure. While driving the defective unit would turn itself on in the air conditioning mode and begin on the coolest digital setting then progressively adjust the temperature until it reached it highest point. I tried several attempts to turn the touch screen off but the unit kept turning the A/C on and would have harmed the A/C compressor. It was summer time and the heat on high and was uncontrollable was not a good situation.the car was taken to the Lincoln dealership to find that the module needed to be replaced due to failure. Since the Lincoln Mks was a certified car, it was replaced under warranty at no cost to me. However, I am concerned that this new unit could fail in the future with no warranty left on the vehicle at about $1400 or more. I have noticed that there has been another case with the same issue. There may be others that I am not aware of. I am just communicating my issue with my vehicle at only 33,308 miles.

- Elizabeth, PA, USA

problem #14

Nov 012019

MKS

  • 155,000 miles
HVAC controls turns itself off, causing windsheild to fog up.

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

problem #13

Jun 122020

MKS

  • 80,000 miles
The control for temperature in car at any time can go to maximum heat while driving. It is unbearable inside of the car not good for my elder mom when it happens as it is too hot in car

- Clarksburg, MD, USA

problem #12

Oct 152020

MKS

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The power steering goes in and out making it impossible to control when it happens. Very difficult to turn the wheel, issue # 2 temperature control goes from set temperature to full heat unassisted. You cannot turn the high temperature setting off. It is unbearable to drive in car with heat on full blast. Both of these issues can happen in motion or when stopped

- Clarksburg, MD, USA

problem #11

Sep 252020

MKS

  • 100,000 miles
Every recall associated with the 2013 Lincoln Mks I have wrong with my vehicles. But when I call to have it serviced they tell me my VIN number is not included in any recalls, but yet my vehicle has all the recall problems.

- Manchester, NH, USA

problem #10

Aug 212020

MKS

  • 70,000 miles
There is a problem with the climate control system (fcim) that causes the temperature to run up to maximum temperature. It cannot be shut off. This is very dangerous because with extremely elevated temperatures in the car you are very liable to fall asleep. Or try to reduce the temp by banging on the controls, this makes you very distracted. This problem exists whenever the car is running, in motion or stopped.

- Southampton, PA, USA

problem #9

Oct 242019

MKS

  • 70,000 miles
At various speeds, defective fcim (front controls interface module) resulting in temperature set to all the way hi/max fan, creating cabin temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Turning off the ac system or reducing the temperature does not resolve the issue. Performing a reset of the car's sync system does not resolve the issue. This is a common complaint, generating at least 3 NHTSA complaints as well as a tsb. It creates a hazardous condition when transporting vulnerable riders such as infants and the elderly (those sensitive to heat), as well as interfering with the car's defogging mechanism reducing visibility under certain circumstances and creating dangerous driving conditions.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #8

Aug 022019

MKS

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln Mks. The contact stated that the vehicle had a salvaged title. The contact stated that the sun roof drain was clogged and caused water to drain into the panels, which damaged the electrical system and air conditioning. In addition, an unknown sensor illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics. One mechanic removed the panels and drained the water, but the failure recurred. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Missouri City, TX, USA

problem #7

Jan 312019

MKS

  • miles
The heating system for the car will automatically turn up to 90 degree, all on its own. I am unable to shut it off, or turn it down. This is ES[specially dangerous with the defogger.

- Medford, MA, USA

problem #6

Jun 152015

MKS

  • miles
[xxx] died as well as 30 others like guinee pigs for big auto profit over safety. They had the chance to regulate in 2011 and failed thanks [xxx] cell [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lake Bluff, IL, USA

problem #5

Jun 152015

MKS 6-cyl

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln Mks. 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. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that a lack of shut off features and audible sounds caused the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.....updated 03-31-16 updated 07/10/2017

- Lake Bluff, IL, USA

problem #4

Jan 122016

MKS

  • 36,344 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln Mks. While driving at unknown speeds, the headlights and all of the instrument panel lights turned off without warning. The lights illuminated again shortly after. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 36,344.

- Fliint, MI, USA

problem #3

Jul 022014

MKS 6-cyl

  • miles
The vehicle was a total loss. The cause of the fire was electrical. There was a recall on this particular make, model, & year to fix a problem which would lead to a fire. However, the recall notice was never received. The insurance company, fiduciary, have denied the claim as they do not cover fires caused by electrical.

- Sunnyside, NY, USA

problem #2

Jan 162013

MKS 6-cyl

  • 9,300 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln Mks. The contact stated that the my-touch system enabled the my-key system automatically. As a result, the vehicle would not accelerate over 59 mph. In addition, the my-touch system automatically rebooted and caused the air conditioner blower to shut off. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be replicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 9,300 and the current mileage was 12,500.

- Hartsdale, NY, USA

problem #1

Aug 192012

MKS 6-cyl

  • 458 miles
The vehicle lost all ability to accelerate while operating at approximately 65 mph on an interstate highway. This forced the operator to coast the vehicle to the shoulder of the highway while navigating through traffic. The powertrain malfunction/reduced power (rtt) wrench symbol illuminated in addition to the service engine soon light. Before the tow truck arrived the operator attempted to move the vehicle under its own power every 15 minutes. Within approximately 40 minutes the vehicle responded to the accelerator and was driven to the operator's residence. The service technician diagnosed that the throttle body lost electrical power forcing a fail safe mode that disconnected the accelerator control.

- College Park, MD, USA

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