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Lincoln MKS VIN Check

NHTSA holds 341 owner complaints on the Lincoln MKS from 156 production runs; the worst run has 10, the typical one 2.2.

NHTSA complaint records · 341 complaints · 156 runs · 2009–2016 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported MKS run is 1LNHL9DK0DG (2013 builds) with 10 complaints, 4.5× the typical run. Steering problems make up 36% of reports; 2013 is the worst model year at 3.6 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for MKS model years 2009–2015.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Lincoln MKS has 156 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 12% of every MKS complaint on file.

FIG.01·Lincoln MKS — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
1LNHL9DK0DG••••••20131011
1LNHL9DK1DG••••••20139——
1LNHL9FT8DG••••••20138——
1LNHL9FT0AG••••••201081—
1LNHL9DK4DG••••••201371—
1LNHL9DK8DG••••••20137——
1LNHL9EK4DG••••••20137——
1LNHL9DK4EG••••••20147——
1LNHL9DK6DG••••••20136——
1LNHL9FTXBG••••••20116——
1LNHL9DKXDG••••••20135——
1LNHM93R79G••••••20095——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 144 MKS runs has 5 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 20 MKS VINs so far, most often 2009, 2013, 2010 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Lincoln MKS the gap between build years is 3.6×: a 2013 car draws 3.6 complaints per run, a 2016 one 1.

FIG.02·Lincoln MKS — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
2016133—
20151.31814—
20141.842231
20133.6130365
20121.417121
20111.640253
20101.847268
20092.244204
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2013 at 3.6 complaints per run; lightest is 2016 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 36% of everything Lincoln MKS owners report: Steering, 119 of 341 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Lincoln MKS — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Steering11931
Electrical System5322
Engine3814
Service Brakes293—
Unknown Or Other24——
Power Train23——
Vehicle Speed Control217—
Fuel/propulsion System21—1
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 11 recall campaigns on the Lincoln MKS; the 6 below cover build years 2009 to 2015. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Lincoln MKS — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
16V621000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump2013–2015
15V040000Structure:body:door2011–2013
15V340000Steering:electric Power Assist System2011–2013
14V393000Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft2013–2014
16V247000Air Bags:frontal2009–2011
15V464000Parking Brake2015
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

16V621000 was opened in 2016 on cars built from 2013: 3 years on the road before the recall.

The MKS against its rivals

The MKS draws 2.2 complaints per production run; the Hyundai Equus 2.1. That is the highest rate of the 2.

FIG.05·Lincoln MKS VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Lincoln MKS3411562.26.5%
Hyundai Equus94452.14.3%
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 341 reports on the Lincoln MKS, 6.5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.

FIG.06·Lincoln MKS — complaint severity
OutcomeLincoln MKSAll vehicles
Complaints filed3411,115,966
Involved a crash22 (6.5%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire7 (2.1%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported5058,013
Deaths reported462,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Lincoln MKS share of that is 341 complaints over 156 runs, 0.03% of everything on record.

Everything on the Lincoln MKS
Recalls23 campaignsFuel economy22 mpg bestReliability4.0/5Common problems373 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsCargo space18 cu ftUsed prices254 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2009–2016

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Lincoln MKS VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 341 NHTSA complaints from 156 MKS runs and 11 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which MKS production run has the most complaints?

1LNHL9DK0DG, a 2013 build, with 10 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical MKS run has 2.2.

Which MKS years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2013 is heaviest at 3.6 complaints per run and 2016 lightest at 1.

Does the MKS get more complaints than the Hyundai Equus?

Yes: 2.2 complaints per production run for the MKS against 2.1 for the Hyundai Equus.

How many MKS complaints involve a crash?

6.5% of 341 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 7 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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