The 2007-2015 Lincoln MKT is Ford's D4 platform luxury crossover sharing mechanical DNA with the Ford Flex and Taurus. While comfortable and spacious, it suffers from catastrophic 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine failures and chronic transmission cooling issues that can turn these into financial sinkholes past 80,000 miles.
Symptoms: Sudden loss of power and violent knocking noise, Metal shavings in oil, Check engine light with cylinder misfire codes, White smoke from exhaust, Coolant mixing with oil (chocolate milk appearance)
Fix: The direct-injection EcoBoost suffers from carbon buildup on intake valves leading to pre-ignition (LSPI), which shatters piston ringlands and destroys cylinder walls. Requires complete engine replacement or rebuild with updated pistons. 25-35 hours labor for short block swap, 40-50 hours for complete teardown rebuild.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
PTU (Power Transfer Unit) Failure and Fluid Starvation
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Grinding or howling noise from front of vehicle during acceleration, Burning smell, AWD malfunction warning, Metal shavings in PTU fluid, Complete loss of AWD function
Fix: Ford designed the PTU as a 'sealed for life' unit with inadequate cooling and no drain plug. Fluid breaks down, unit overheats and grenades. Must replace entire PTU assembly. Requires dropping subframe for access. 8-12 hours labor. Prevention: drill and tap drain plug, change fluid every 30k miles.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Corrosion and Coolant Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission slipping or delayed engagement, Milky pink fluid in coolant reservoir, Transmission overheating warnings, Rough shifting, Strawberry milkshake appearance in transmission fluid
Fix: Internal transmission cooler corrodes, allowing coolant and ATF to mix. Destroys transmission if not caught early. Requires external cooler bypass, full transmission flush (or replacement if contaminated), new radiator, and all cooler lines. Transmission rebuild adds 20+ hours if damaged. 6-8 hours for cooler/line work alone.
Estimated cost: $1,800-7,500
Water Pump Failure (Internally Mounted)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant leak from timing cover area, Engine overheating, Squealing noise from front of engine, Steam from under hood, Coolant level dropping with no external leak visible
Fix: The 3.5L uses an internal water pump driven by the timing chain. Failure dumps coolant into crankcase or causes overheating leading to head gasket failure. Requires timing cover removal, timing chain work. 10-14 hours labor. Always replace timing components and coolant hoses during this job.
Estimated cost: $2,000-3,200
Electric Power Steering (EPAS) Column Failure
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Complete loss of power steering assist, Steering suddenly becomes extremely heavy, Power steering warning light, Grinding or clicking from steering column, Intermittent assist that comes and goes
Fix: EPAS motor or control module fails without warning (subject to recall but many still fail post-recall). Complete steering column assembly replacement required. 4-6 hours labor. Do NOT attempt to drive extended distances without assist—extremely dangerous in emergency maneuvers.
Estimated cost: $1,500-2,400
Rear Differential Bushing Failure and Axle Shaft Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking from rear during acceleration or deceleration, Vibration at highway speeds, Differential fluid leak from axle seals, Whining noise from rear end, AWD malfunction warnings
Fix: Rear differential mounts and bushings fail from weight and torque. Axle shaft seals leak due to movement. Requires differential drop, bushing replacement, and seal service. Check for play in half-shafts. 5-7 hours labor for complete service including fluid change.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
Owner tips
If buying a turbo EcoBoost model, get a pre-purchase compression test and borescope inspection—walk away from ANY engine with low compression or scoring
Install aftermarket transmission and PTU temperature gauges to monitor for overheating before catastrophic failure
Immediately bypass the internal transmission cooler and install external cooler—do not wait for failure
Change PTU fluid every 30,000 miles religiously (requires drilling drain plug or using fluid pump)
Avoid extended idle times in hot weather—these engines and transmissions run dangerously hot in stop-and-go traffic
Budget $3,000-5,000 annually for major repairs once past 80,000 miles—these are NOT cheap to maintain
Hard pass unless you're getting it for $5,000 under book value and have a $10k repair fund—the EcoBoost engine and drivetrain are ticking time bombs that bankrupt owners regularly.
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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BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 25V695000
2025-10-13
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
SUSPENSION:REAR · 20V072000
2020-02-10
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.
Consequence: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
SUSPENSION:REAR · 20V072000
2020-02-10
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.
Consequence: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
SUSPENSION:REAR · 20V072000
2020-02-10
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.
Consequence: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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.
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.
CHILD SEAT:TETHER: CONNECTOR/CLIP · 15V476000
2015-07-29
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Lincoln MKT Town Car vehicles equipped with the livery package manufactured February 4, 2015, to June 23, 2015. The vehicles were intended to seat five passengers, but were delivered without the second row seating. Accordingly, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110. The vehicles also fail to comply with FMVSS No. 225, "Child Restraint Anchorages" since they were delivered without a tether anchorage at the front passenger seating position, and as is required for vehicles without a second row of seats.
Consequence: The vehicles do not have the seats and restraints that they were intended to have. Unrestrained or improperly restrained occupants are at an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and install second row seating if it is missing. The recall began on July 28, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C08.
PARKING BRAKE · 15V464000
2015-07-24
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Consequence: If the parking brake does not fully engage and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while on a slope, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the operation of the parking brake system, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C07.
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.
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.
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · 15V172000
2015-03-24
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.
Consequence: If the vacuum pump relay overheats, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · 15V172000
2015-03-24
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.
Consequence: If the vacuum pump relay overheats, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · 15V172000
2015-03-24
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.
Consequence: If the vacuum pump relay overheats, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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.
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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