Is the 2010 Lincoln MKT reliable?

The 2010 Lincoln MKT has 92 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2010 Lincoln MKT?

Top problems: STEERING (29 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (12 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (8 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2010 Lincoln MKT?

No recalls have been issued for the 2010 Lincoln MKT.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Lincoln MKT?

The 2010 Lincoln MKT gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2010 Lincoln MKT?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2010 Lincoln MKT is approximately $1,921/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2010 Lincoln MKT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2010 Lincoln MKT has 92 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.4x the segment average of 27. The most common issue is steering problems (32% of all complaints), specifically: tl*the contact owns a 2010 lincoln mkt. while driving approximately 35 mph he noticed that the vehicle was pulling to the right and he could feel vibrations throughout the entire vehicle. he also heard a grinding noise whenever pressure was applied to the brake pedal. the vehicle was taken to an . ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 2 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

3.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

29 complaints

32%

• TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND HE COULD FEEL VIBRATIONS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. HE ALSO HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHENEVER PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN
• TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND HE COULD FEEL VIBRATIONS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. HE ALSO HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHENEVER PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND HE COULD FEEL VIBRATIONS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. HE ALSO HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHENEVER PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Lincoln MKT

Based on 81 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 70K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Earlier than typicalmedian 47K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 58K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 48K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 95K mi · 26 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 70K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 70K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Lincoln MKT

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Lincoln MKT

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,921

Full coverage / month

$160

Liability only / year

$732

vs US avg

+15%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1921

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lincoln MKT Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Complimentary maintenance for select models; check with your dealer for eligibility.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Lincoln New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Lincoln. If you're buying a used 2010 MKT, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Lincoln dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 92 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND HE COULD FEEL VIBRATIONS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. HE ALSO HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHENEVER PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR IN 2010, THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH. I WOULD STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR WOULD JERK AND THE RPM'S WOULD REV UP AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. ON AN OIL CHANGE SERVICE, I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND HE COULD FEEL VIBRATIONS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. HE ALSO HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHENEVER PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR EMITTING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM LUNG COM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)