Used Lincoln MKS Buying Guide: 3.7 vs EcoBoost, Water Pump Risk and Recalls

A used Lincoln MKS is a lot of quiet, roomy sedan for the money, and the safer buy is usually one with the non-turbo 3.7-liter V6. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost, offered from the 2010 model year with standard all-wheel drive, is far quicker but carries more expensive risks. On any MKS, the water pump sits inside the engine and can mix coolant into the oil when it fails, so a cooling-system check before you buy matters more than the trim. The 2013-2016 cars got more power and a better cabin, and they also carry the longest recall list.

I read AutoTrader.ca's 2009-2016 MKS used review by Justin Pritchard, Car and Driver's 2010 EcoBoost road test, Autoweek's 2013 refresh drive, and pulled every MKS year from NHTSA's recall API on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Where those sources disagree on a number, I've said so.

Engines and years

The MKS arrived for 2009 with a 3.7-liter V6 rated around 273 hp, a six-speed automatic and front drive, with AWD optional. Car and Driver tested the 2010 EcoBoost version with a twin-turbo 3.5-liter rated 355 hp and 350 lb-ft, standard AWD and paddle shifters. It ran 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds, against 7.5 seconds for the base car. For 2013, Autoweek reports the 3.7 went to 304 hp and the EcoBoost to 365 hp, with adaptive dampers and a cleaner MyLincoln Touch layout, though it still slammed the finger-slide volume and fan controls. Autoweek lists the old 3.7 at 274 hp and Car and Driver's era figure is 273, so treat early output as about 273-274.

If you want the better cabin and don't need the speed, a 2013-2016 3.7 front-driver is a sensible middle. If you want the EcoBoost, budget for an extended powertrain contract if any is still for sale on a car that old.

What AutoTrader.ca says to check

Pritchard's list is long, and most of it is about electronics. Cycle every door lock several times, and pay attention to the right rear door. Run the climate control through every setting and listen for a clicking blend door actuator. Wet front carpet can mean a plugged A/C drain. On AWD cars, have a Ford or Lincoln tech look at the power transfer unit for leaks, since a big leak can kill it. Get the suspension checked on high-mileage cars, because owners report early wear on parts and wheel bearings.

Two warnings stand out. For EcoBoost cars he says to be "300 percent sure" a Ford or Lincoln technician checks for trouble codes and coolant leaks, citing owner reports of stalling and engine failure. And on either engine, he says a failed water pump can let coolant and oil mix and cause severe engine damage, and the design makes it expensive to replace. Coolant around the pump area is a reason to walk. That's the line I'd take most seriously on a sedan this old, because the repair can eat a big share of what you paid for the car.

Recalls to confirm by VIN

• 16V247, 2009 and 2011: the driver front air bag may inflate improperly during second-stage deployment in a high-speed crash.
• 15V040, 2011-2013 built June-October 2011: interior door handle return springs can unseat.
• 15V340, 2011-2013: electric power steering assist can shut down. In 2011-2012 it applies to EcoBoost cars, and in 2013 to any engine.
• 13V109, 2012: fuel tank side seam may be marginally sealed.
• 13V227 and 15V812, 2013: fuel delivery modules can crack and leak.
• 16V621, 2013-2015 EcoBoost: a part in the fuel pump electronic module can overheat and cut power to the pump.
• 14V393, 2013-2014: a halfshaft retention circlip may not have been installed properly.
• 15V464 and 15V605, 2015: short production windows with a parking brake that may not fully engage, or loose fuel tank bolts.

The API returned no records for 2010 or 2016 when I checked, which doesn't mean those cars are clean. Use our Lincoln recall check by VIN on the actual car, query NHTSA's recall data directly, and confirm the engine and drive with the Lincoln VIN decoder guide.

MKS, MKZ or MKX?

The MKZ is the smaller Lincoln sedan and easier to park, covered in our used Lincoln MKZ guide. The MKX is the crossover if you want height and a hatch, and our used Lincoln MKX guide goes through its years. The MKS wins on back-seat room and highway calm. Owners quoted in AutoTrader.ca's review do wish for better rear visibility when parking and better fuel economy.

Check the history before the water pump

Big, discounted luxury sedans often have a rough past: rental fleets, buybacks, repaired crashes. Search NMVTIS for title brands and get your own report. We're a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller with no link to CARFAX, AutoCheck, Experian, Ford or Lincoln. For mid October 2026, guest reports are roughly $5.50, member reports about $4.50 and a two-brand bundle near $6.75, while retail sits around $39.99 to $44.99. Go by the figure checkout shows you.

Sources

• AutoTrader.ca: Used Vehicle Review, Lincoln MKS 2009-2016
• Car and Driver: 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost; Autoweek: 2013 Lincoln MKS
• NHTSA recallsByVehicle, MKS 2009-2016, queried Oct. 18, 2026; NMVTIS