Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) / Cam Phaser Faults
high- Typically appears
- 80–130k mi
- Estimated repair
- $400 – $1,200
2013 Lincoln
MKSSedan
Sedan
The 2013 Lincoln MKS is Ford Motor Company's full-size luxury sedan, slotting above the MKZ and sharing its platform with the Ford Taurus SHO. It was Lincoln's flagship four-door through this generation, targeting buyers who wanted domestic luxury without stepping into a German import. The standard 3.7L V6 with AWD is the volume seller; a turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost V6 was also offered for buyers wanting more performance. Inside, the MKS delivers a quiet, well-insulated cabin with genuine leather, real wood trim, and a long list of comfort features that were competitive at its original price point. Ride quality is its strongest suit — soft, highway-oriented, and very livable on long trips. It holds its own as a used buy for those who want a roomy, comfortable American luxury sedan without the premium repair bills of European alternatives. That said, the MKS carries some real-world baggage: the MyLincoln Touch infotainment system was widely panned for being slow and unreliable, electronics gremlins are common on higher-mileage examples, and parts and specialty knowledge are harder to come by as Lincoln dealers have thinned out. Budget accordingly for electrical and HVAC repairs.
Reliability
3/5
Verified data
Specs shown for MKS AWD — the most common configuration.
Other trims may vary in engine, drivetrain, or fuel economy. Sign in to see your vehicle's exact specs.
Engine
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Drivetrain
AWD
Fuel
Gasoline
MPG
18 city / 26 hwy / 21 combined
Seats
—
Doors
—
Body
Large Cars
Overview
AI-curatedThe 2013 Lincoln MKS is Ford Motor Company's full-size luxury sedan, slotting above the MKZ and sharing its platform with the Ford Taurus SHO. It was Lincoln's flagship four-door through this generation, targeting buyers who wanted domestic luxury without stepping into a German import. The standard 3.7L V6 with AWD is the volume seller; a turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost V6 was also offered for buyers wanting more performance. Inside, the MKS delivers a quiet, well-insulated cabin with genuine leather, real wood trim, and a long list of comfort features that were competitive at its original price point. Ride quality is its strongest suit — soft, highway-oriented, and very livable on long trips. It holds its own as a used buy for those who want a roomy, comfortable American luxury sedan without the premium repair bills of European alternatives. That said, the MKS carries some real-world baggage: the MyLincoln Touch infotainment system was widely panned for being slow and unreliable, electronics gremlins are common on higher-mileage examples, and parts and specialty knowledge are harder to come by as Lincoln dealers have thinned out. Budget accordingly for electrical and HVAC repairs.
Known for
- Smooth, quiet highway ride
- Well-appointed interior for the price
- Standard AWD with the 3.7L V6
- Shared Taurus/Flex platform — parts are relatively available
- Notoriously frustrating MyLincoln Touch infotainment
Best for
- Highway commuters wanting domestic luxury comfort
- Budget-conscious luxury buyers shopping used
- Wisconsin winters — AWD standard on most trims
- Buyers who prefer a large, spacious sedan
Watch for
- MyLincoln Touch system failures and slow performance
- Variable camshaft timing (VCT) issues on higher-mileage engines
- Electronic module communication faults
- Suspension and air suspension components wearing early
- Higher-than-average repair costs for a domestic vehicle due to luxury-grade systems
Common issues by mileage
6 knownIntake/Exhaust VCT Solenoid Circuit Faults
medium- Typically appears
- 70–120k mi
- Estimated repair
- $200 – $600
MyLincoln Touch / SYNC Module Failures
high- Typically appears
- Any mileage
- Estimated repair
- $300 – $1,500
Oxygen Sensor / Heater Circuit Faults
medium- Typically appears
- 80–150k mi
- Estimated repair
- $150 – $400
Suspension Wear (Control Arm Bushings / Struts)
medium- Typically appears
- 90–140k mi
- Estimated repair
- $600 – $1,800
Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Leaks on AWD
medium- Typically appears
- 60–120k mi
- Estimated repair
- $300 – $800
Maintenance schedule
- 1 Every 5,000–7,500 miles Engine oil and filter change — use 5W-20 full synthetic
The VCT cam phaser system is extremely sensitive to oil cleanliness and viscosity. Stretching oil changes is the single biggest cause of expensive VCT and cam phaser repairs on this engine.
- 2 Every 60,000 miles or when purchasing used Power Transfer Unit (PTU) fluid change
Ford/Lincoln does not always list this as a scheduled service, but the PTU runs hot and breaks down its fluid early. Neglected PTU fluid is a leading cause of AWD drivetrain failure.
- 3 Every 60,000 miles Rear differential fluid change
Same reasoning as the PTU — overlooked by most previous owners. Fresh fluid prevents bearing and clutch-pack wear in the rear drive unit.
- 4 Every 60,000 miles Transmission fluid change
Ford's 6F55 6-speed is generally reliable but benefits from proactive fluid maintenance, particularly on vehicles used in stop-and-go traffic or towing.
- 5 Every 60,000 miles Spark plugs (Motorcraft spec)
The 3.7L uses standard coil-on-plug ignition. Worn plugs stress the coils and can cause misfires. Use OE-spec plugs only — this engine is sensitive to plug type.
- 6 Every 15,000–20,000 miles Cabin air filter replacement
Clogged cabin filters strain the HVAC blower motor and reduce defrost effectiveness — critical for winter visibility in Wisconsin.
- 7 Every fall (before November) Battery load test
The MKS has a large electrical load from its luxury features. A marginal battery that starts fine in summer will fail at -10°F. AGM replacement is recommended if the battery is over 4 years old.
- 8 Every 2–3 years Brake fluid flush
Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, lowering its boiling point and promoting internal corrosion in ABS and stability control components — especially relevant with Wisconsin road salt exposure.
Always defer to the manufacturer's service manual for warranty-mandated intervals.
Cost of ownership
Annual maintenance
$900 – $2,200
Fuel
At 21 MPG combined and ~15,000 miles/year, expect roughly $2,000–$2,500/year at current Midwest regular unleaded prices. The 3.7L does not require premium fuel.
Insurance
Expect $1,200–$1,800/year for full coverage in the Lake Geneva area for a driver with a clean record, depending on age and garaging. Luxury classification pushes rates above average compact sedans.
The MKS is one of the more affordable ways to get into a full-size American luxury sedan, but don't let the low used purchase price fool you. Electrical and infotainment repairs can be expensive, and the AWD drivetrain requires fluid services most previous owners skip. Budget $1,000–$1,500/year for routine maintenance alone, and keep a contingency fund for the VCT system and electronics. Overall, it's manageable if you stay on top of oil changes and address drivetrain fluids proactively.
Seasonal care
Lake Geneva, WI Winter
- Load-test the battery every fall — the MKS's high electrical demand (heated seats, defrost, AWD electronics) will kill a weak battery fast in sub-zero Lake Geneva temps.
- Switch to a full synthetic 5W-20 if not already using one; cold starts are much smoother and VCT actuation is faster, reducing cam phaser wear on cold mornings.
- Flush and refill washer fluid with a -40°F rated formula before first freeze; the large windshield means you'll burn through fluid fast on salted roads.
- Inspect and replace wiper blades with winter-spec blades; the MKS's raked windshield makes poor wiper performance especially annoying.
- Rinse the undercarriage every 1–2 weeks during active salt season — the AWD PTU, rear drive unit, and brake hardware are all vulnerable to accelerated corrosion.
- Check tire pressure monthly; every 10°F drop costs roughly 1 PSI, and the MKS runs larger tires that can feel vague when under-inflated on snow.
Summer
- Check tire pressure after the first warm stretch — tires inflated for winter can run 3–4 PSI over spec when ambient temps rise, increasing wear and handling sensitivity.
- Inspect the A/C system before summer heat arrives; the MKS's cabin is large and the compressor works hard. A recharge or cabin air filter swap now beats a hot-car diagnosis in July.
- Check coolant condition and concentration — a 50/50 mix protects to around -34°F in winter but also raises the boiling point for summer heat soak in traffic.
- Inspect the engine air filter; if the car sat through winter with a partially clogged filter, summer heat will make the engine work harder and fuel economy will drop.
Comparable vehicles
2013 Buick
LaCrosse
Same segment, similar price used, domestic luxury sedan with AWD option. More reliable infotainment and stronger dealer/independent shop support across the Midwest.
2013 Chrysler
300
Full-size domestic luxury sedan at a similar used price point. RWD or AWD available, strong V6 and V8 options, more straightforward electronics.
2013 Cadillac
XTS
Direct domestic luxury full-size competitor, also FWD/AWD. Comparable feature set and pricing used, with generally better infotainment in the CUE system (still not perfect, but more capable than MyLincoln Touch).
2013 Ford
Taurus SHO
Shares the same platform and AWD system as the MKS. More performance-oriented with the EcoBoost engine, lower used prices, and broader independent shop familiarity — making repairs easier to source in the Lake Geneva area.