Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Lincoln MKS, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 9 | 16% |
| Air bags | 7 | 13% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 13% |
| Engine | 4 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 5% |
| Seats | 3 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% |
| Steering | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The brakes keep failing on my 09 Lincoln mks. It has happen 4 times. Each time 4 different shops said the brake booster, abs system or master cylinder is bad. Have replaced each time and it will last 6 months and it the
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
AS I WAS DRVING THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING OR NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE MOTOR WAS BLOWN AT 86,000 MILES AFTER BU
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED HIS WIFE THE DRIVER WAS AT A STOPPED SIGN AND WHILE PRECEDING INTO THE INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I GOT IN MY VEHICLE 1 MORNING AND NOTICED KNOCKING ONCE I STARTED IT. A VERY LIGHT KNOCK. I IMMEDIATELY KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I CHECKED AND CHANGED MY OIL. THE OIL WAS MILKY AND I SUSPECTED THAT COOLANT WAS BEING
NHTSA complaint: Engine
STEERING WHEEL WONT ADJUST AND WILL NOT MOVE AND THERE IS A LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHEN YOU START VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I SEE LINCOLN MKZ HAVE RECALLS ON SEAT BELT TENSIONER. WELL MY LINCOLN MKS HAS A SEAT BELT TENSIONER THAT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. HAVE YOU HAD ANYONE COMPLAIN ABOUT LINCOLN MKS FOR THAT PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
FAULTY DOOR LOCKS : THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOB ON MKS MODEL IN WEATHER TEMPERATURES ABOVE 70 DEGREES AND IT POSES A SAFETY HAZARD IF CHILDREN ARE IN THE CAR. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE CAR USING THE F
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LINCOLN MKS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER MOVED FROM AUTO TO AUTO/MANUAL MODE INDEPENDENTLY. WOLTZ & WIND FORD (LOCATED AT 2100 WASHINGTON PIKE, CARNEGIE, PA 15106
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2009 Lincoln MKS. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high spe
Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 59 | average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 9 of them (16%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 64/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.