2010 Lincoln MKS

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

67/100

Skip unless cheap

AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Lincoln MKS, and it carries no recalls. 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.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Steering	12	24%
Vehicle speed control	8	16%
Engine	5	10%
Air bags	4	8%
Steering	2	4%
Electrical system	2	4%
Service brakes	2	4%
Power train	2	4%
Structure	2	4%
Air bags	1	2%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

No power steering and Power steering assist failure warning message. Took to dealer, and they said the epas needed to be replaced. Also, that the oem part was no longer available, so they had to use after market part and
NHTSA complaint: Steering

There have been 2 separate incidents involving a front collision at high speeds. Both times, the air bags did not deploy as they should have. The 2nd incident was today. The car is now totaled. The impact Both times shou
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

The 2011 through 2013 Lincoln MKS were recalled for the electric power steering assist suddenly going out and it is the same on this car and could have gotten someone seriously hurt these need to be added to the recall t
NHTSA complaint: Steering

My car will intermittently (more times than not) lose its power steering assist, making it almost impossible for me to drive. I've had the car looked at, replaced the rack and pinion assembly, put on new tires, ran a dia
NHTSA complaint: Steering

The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that upon placing her vehicle into park(P), the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot. The engine then failed to restart after the failure. The contac
NHTSA complaint: Engine

I STARTED MY CAR AND THE ERROR "POWER STEERING FAILURE" CAME ON, I WAS COMPLETELY UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THERE WAS NO WARNING AND I CAN'T TURN IT AT
NHTSA complaint: Steering

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT. TOOK TO LOCAL DEALER 3 TIMES---COMPUTER RESET FIRST TIME; SECOND TIME CAME UP 'ELECTRICAL ISSUE'. THIRD TIME COMPUTER SAID REPLACE RACK AND PINION. CAR PURCHASED AS CPO IN 2013 FROM
NHTSA complaint: Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICL
NHTSA complaint: Steering

The seven scores

Reliability raw	84	excellent
Longevity est.	79	good
Maintenance	59	average
Depreciation	52	average
Performance	67	good
Efficiency	36	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 52% of midsize & large cars
Longevity: better than 63% of midsize & large cars
Running costs: better than 20% of midsize & large cars
Value retention: better than 22% of midsize & large cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 84: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 79: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 2010 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 59: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 2010 Lincoln MKS?

Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 12 of them (24%). No recalls are on record for it.

Is the 2010 Lincoln MKS reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (excellent) 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.

How long will a 2010 Lincoln MKS last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2010 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 2010 Lincoln MKS?

AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. 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.