The 2013 MKT shares the Ford Flex/Taurus platform and is mechanically a loaded Ford. The 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo engine has proven fragile under stress, with catastrophic failures appearing earlier than most owners expect, while the 6F50/6F55 transmission suffers from internal oil cooler failures that contaminate the trans fluid.
Symptoms: white smoke from exhaust, rapid coolant loss with no external leaks, misfires and rough idle, loss of power, hydrolocked cylinder on startup
Fix: Root cause is typically failed internal water pump seals allowing coolant into cylinders, combined with direct-injection carbon buildup. Requires complete engine rebuild or replacement. 18-24 labor hours for engine R&R plus machining/parts.
Estimated cost: $8,000-14,000
Transmission Internal Oil Cooler Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission slipping or shuddering, milky pink fluid in coolant reservoir, transmission overheating warnings, sudden loss of gears
Fix: The cooler inside the radiator fails and cross-contaminates coolant and ATF, destroying the transmission. Requires new radiator, complete transmission flush or rebuild, and all cooling system lines. If caught early (weekly fluid checks), 6-8 hours labor for cooler and flush. If trans is damaged, add 12-16 hours for rebuild.
Estimated cost: $1,200-5,500
PTU (Power Transfer Unit) Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: grinding or whining noise from front of vehicle, AWD malfunction warning, burning smell, vibration during acceleration, loss of AWD
Fix: The PTU runs hot and fluid degrades quickly, leading to bearing and gear failure if not serviced every 30k. Replacement requires subframe lowering. 8-10 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,500
Water Pump Failure (EcoBoost)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: coolant leak from timing cover area, whining noise from front of engine, overheating, coolant warning light
Fix: EcoBoost uses an internal water pump driven by the timing chain. Requires timing cover removal, timing chain work, and coolant system flush. 6-8 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800
Turbocharger Wastegate Rattle and Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: rattling noise on cold start that disappears when warm, loss of boost pressure, check engine light with underboost codes, reduced power
Fix: Wastegate actuator arms wear and rattle, eventually sticking. Turbo replacement required (both turbos recommended). 10-12 labor hours for both turbos.
Estimated cost: $3,000-5,000
Rear Suspension Air Spring Leaks
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: sagging rear end after sitting overnight, compressor runs excessively, suspension fault warnings, uneven ride height
Fix: Air springs develop leaks at the folds. Replace both rear air springs and inspect compressor. 3-4 labor hours for both springs.
Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800
Electric Power Steering Failures
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: intermittent loss of power steering, steering system fault warning, stiff steering at low speeds, clicking from steering column
Fix: Steering gear or control module failure. Subject to recall but failures continue. Steering gear replacement requires alignment. 4-6 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $1,500-2,500
Owner tips
Change PTU fluid every 30,000 miles religiously — Ford says lifetime, but that's 90k in the real world
Check transmission fluid color weekly after 60k miles to catch cooler failure before it kills the trans
EcoBoost engines require catch-can installation and walnut-blasting carbon cleaning every 50k to prevent intake valve buildup
Avoid extended idle time and short trips with EcoBoost — these engines need heat cycles to stay healthy
Hard pass unless it's a non-EcoBoost 3.7L V6 with documented PTU services and you can budget $3k/year for surprise repairs — the EcoBoost is a time bomb.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Vehicle Info — 2013 Lincoln MKT
Performance
Horsepower
303hp
Torque
278lb-ft
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
17mpg
Highway
24mpg
Combined
20mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
Capability & size
Seating
7seats
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD
Wiper blades
Crossover/wagon body style with rear wiper. 2013+ refresh maintained same wiper specs
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2013 Lincoln MKT 3.7L V6 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Built by master technician Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.