My 33,000 miles 2012 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost previously received a software-only update for Federal Safety Recall 15S18 (the federal safety agency Campaign 15V340). The Power Steering Assist Fault dash light has shown up on a trip out of town making it now completely unable to drive safely on the street. We took it to an independent mechanic who determined various codes of U3000, and UO428. The software update failed to protect the vehicle's electronic power steering system. The steering gear has now suffered a total internal electronic failure at only 33,000 miles, completely disabling the power steering. The vehicle is actively throwing hard internal fault codes U3000 and U0428 congruent to the recall. Ford's safety recall remedy was completely ineffective, creating a severe, immediate low-speed crash hazard.
2012 Lincoln MKT: loss of power steering
11 of the 28 complaints about the 2012 Lincoln MKT describe loss of power steering.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 39%
- typical mileage
- 151,566
- recalls
- 1
Loss of power steering by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed, the Service Advancetrac warning light was illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed with steering rack and pinion failure. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the repair would be covered under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000(Steering); however, the contact was later informed that the recall had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer scheduled an appointment with the dealer on the contact's behalf; however, the dealer declined to perform the repair. The contact was informed that the repair was at the dealer's discretion because the recall had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
The car had a recall, and they worked on it. A few years later the power steering went out while driving and almost had an accident. They did not replace the steering gear they only worked on the steering module. If they had replaced the steering gear, it may have solved the whole problem. They know there was a problem and did not do their best to solve it. There may be thousands of vehicles waiting for the time when there could be a serious accident due to Ford's negligence. I was moving slow when the steering quit and may have saved my life or others in over vehicles. I was told it is over $4,000 to repair. I cannot afford the repair. I am without a vehicle to drive. I need it for doctors' appointments.
The contact's grandmother owned a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that when his grandmother was starting the vehicle, she experienced a loss of power steering assist. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The contact's grandmother was then offered and agreed to a trade-in. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while making a turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact drove at a slow speed to his residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle was over 150,000 miles and the federal safety agency campaign number: 15V340000 (Steering) would not be honored. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and stated that the recall letter was sent to the previous owner and since the vehicle was over 150,000 the repairs would be out of pocket. The failure mileage was approximately 151,566.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 lincoln mkt. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned on after refueling, the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to napleton lincoln located at 1610 waukegan ave, glenview, il 60025, (888)214-2155, where it was stated that the mileage was exceeded for inclusion in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v340000 (steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the mileage was exceeded and that the vehicle was no longer eligible for the free repair. The vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.
I started my 2012 lincoln mkt 3.5l the steering was hard to turn and the dashboard error message reads 'power steering assist fault. I google it and it showed that the 'power steering assit fault error message was on recall on june 2015. I towed the car to lincoln on 1610 waukegan ave glenview il, the service manager said after the diagnosis that the steering gear should be replaced. I said okay thinking that since the error message was on recall it will be free. But when I was picking the car I was charged $2806.21. My question is should I pay for this recall repaits?
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 lincoln mkt. The contact stated while his wife was starting the vehicle, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated the power steering assist warning message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v340000 (steering). The contact stated his wife contacted kriegers ford located at 3205 north highway 61, muscatine, ia 52761, (563) 263-5324, and was informed that the mileage exceeded the 150,000 miles limit. The contact was informed that the vehicle was no longer eligible for the free repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 181,000.
Loss of power steering while entering a highway. Became very hard to turn.
Vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 lincoln mkt. While attempting to park the vehicle, the power steering failed and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to veteran's ford (3724 veterans memorial boulevard, metairie, louisiana 70002) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v340000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. Updated 07/18/17*lj the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired. Updated 08/08/2017
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
- Risk
- If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.
Recall number 15V340000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2012 Lincoln MKT power steering loss
Is loss of power steering a common problem on the 2012 Lincoln MKT?
11 of 28 owner complaints about the 2012 Lincoln MKT (39%) mention loss of power steering. The model year with the most reports is 2013.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2012 Lincoln MKT?
There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
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