Short answer
Among Lincoln MKS model years through 2024, 2010 and 2016 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2013 has the most (7). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Lincoln MKS: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 8 (2009–2016)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 11
- Fewest recalls
- 2010 and 2016 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2013 (7)
- Most recalled system
- Fuel system, gasoline (7)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016
Lincoln MKS Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2015 | 3 | 5 stars | Fuel system, gasoline, Parking brake |
| 2014 | 2 | 5 stars | Fuel system, gasoline, Power train |
| 2013 | 7 | 5 stars | Fuel system, gasoline, Latches/locks/linkages, Power train |
| 2012 | 3 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline, Steering, Structure |
| 2011 | 3 | Not rated | Air bags, Steering, Structure |
| 2010 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2009 | 1 | Not rated | Air bags |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20160 recalls
- 20153 recalls
- 20142 recalls
- 20137 recalls
- 20123 recalls
- 20113 recalls
- 20100 recalls
- 20091 recall
Lincoln MKS: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Lincoln MKS recalls are fuel system, gasoline (7), steering (3), structure (3), air bags (2) and power train (2). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 4 of these 8 model years, and 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Lincoln MKS Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Lincoln MKS?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2010 and 2016 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Lincoln MKS model years have the most recalls?
2013 has the most, with 7 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "MKS", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy