The 2013 Lincoln MKS shares Ford's D3 platform with the Taurus and Flex. The 3.5L EcoBoost models are particularly prone to catastrophic engine failures from coolant intrusion, while both engine options suffer from transmission oil cooler and PTU leaks that can destroy the 6F transmission if ignored.
Symptoms: Milky pink fluid on dipstick (strawberry milkshake appearance), Harsh shifting or slipping between gears, Engine overheating due to coolant loss, Transmission failure if driven after contamination begins
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler, flush transmission and cooling system, replace fluid and filter. If caught early: 4-5 hours labor. If trans is damaged: add 12-18 hours for transmission rebuild or replacement. This is a design flaw where the internal cooler separator fails.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 if caught early, $3,500-5,500 with transmission damage
3.5L EcoBoost Water Pump Failure Leading to Engine Destruction
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant weeping from timing cover area, Overheating without obvious external leaks, Metallic knocking or rod bearing noise after overheat event, Complete engine seizure in worst cases
Fix: Water pump is internal, driven by timing chain. Requires front engine disassembly: 8-10 hours labor for pump alone. If overheating caused bearing damage (very common), you're looking at complete engine rebuild or replacement: 18-25 hours labor plus $8,000-12,000 in parts. Ford revised the pump design but damage is often already done.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,500 for pump only, $10,000-15,000 for engine rebuild/replacement
Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Seal Leaks and Fluid Starvation
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Fluid puddles under front-center of vehicle, Whining or growling noise during acceleration, Shuddering when turning in AWD models, Complete PTU failure with grinding/clunking
Fix: PTU seals fail and there's no dipstick or service interval from Ford, so owners don't catch it until damage occurs. Seal replacement: 3-4 hours. PTU replacement if seized: 5-6 hours plus $1,200-1,800 parts. Check fluid every oil change—it takes 75W-140 gear oil.
Estimated cost: $400-700 for seals, $1,800-2,800 for PTU replacement
Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves (EcoBoost Direct Injection)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough idle and misfires at cold start, Loss of power and reduced fuel economy, Check engine light with multiple misfire codes (P0300-P0306), Hesitation during acceleration
Fix: Direct injection means no fuel washing over intake valves. Carbon cakes up and chokes airflow. Walnut blasting required: remove intake manifold, blast each port: 4-6 hours labor. Some shops use chemical cleaning but results are temporary. This will recur every 60-80k miles.
Estimated cost: $500-900
Steering Electric Power Assist Sensor Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Steering assist cuts out intermittently (sudden heavy steering), Warning message 'Power Steering Assist Fault', More common in cold weather initially, then becomes permanent, No loss of steering control, just loss of assist
Fix: Torque sensor in the steering column or EPAS module failure. Diagnosis: 1 hour. Sensor replacement: 2-3 hours (column disassembly). Module replacement: 1.5 hours plus programming. Ford issued TSB 13-8-9 but no recall despite NHTSA investigation.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Fuel Pump Driver Module Failure
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: No-start condition with good battery and starter, Engine stalling while driving at any speed, Intermittent no-fuel condition that eventually becomes permanent, No fuel pump priming sound when key is turned on
Fix: Module is mounted to the frame rail behind fuel tank. Corrodes and fails, especially in rust belt. Not the pump itself—the electronic driver module. Replace module: 1.5-2 hours. Ford recalled some batches but not all years comprehensively. Easy diagnosis with fuel pressure gauge.
Estimated cost: $350-600
Transmission Mounting Bracket Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive drivetrain movement felt through chassis, Vibration at idle in gear, Visible cracking in mount or bracket
Fix: The 6F50/55 transmission mount and subframe bracket crack from the weight and torque of the EcoBoost. Mount replacement: 2-3 hours. If bracket is cracked, subframe must be dropped: add 4-5 hours. Inspect mounts during every service—catching early prevents subframe damage.
Estimated cost: $400-700 for mount, $1,200-1,800 if subframe bracket involved
Owner tips
Check transmission fluid appearance every 5,000 miles—any pink tint means immediate cooler replacement needed
Service PTU fluid every 30,000 miles with 75W-140 synthetic even though Ford calls it 'lifetime'—prevents $2,500 failures
EcoBoost owners: walnut blast intake valves at 60k and 120k preventatively, costs less than repair from misfires
Inspect fuel pump driver module for corrosion annually in salt states—$50 in dielectric grease prevents $500 failures
Avoid extended idle times with EcoBoost—these engines run hot and accelerate water pump bearing wear
Avoid the 3.5L EcoBoost unless you have full service records proving preventive maintenance—engine and transmission failures are financially catastrophic. The 3.7L V6 is more reliable but still suffers transmission cooler and PTU issues that require vigilant monitoring. Buy only with extended warranty or significant cash reserve for repairs.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 · 15V812000
2015-12-02
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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: 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 · 15V340000
2015-06-02 · PE14030
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR · 15V040000
2015-01-28
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT · 14V393000
2014-07-02
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES · 13V270000
2013-06-26
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · 13V227000
2013-05-31
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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: 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.
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