The 2014 Lincoln MKT was a finalist for U.S. News‘ ‘Best Luxury Three-row Midsize SUV’ award. However, it is not problem-free and has a handful of recalls over issues with sunroofs shattering, malfunctioning transmissions, and troublesome fuel pumps.
Key Points
- The 2014 Lincoln MKT has four recalls, including a serious one for a malfunctioning fuel pump that may cause engine stall.
- The vehicle’s automatic transmission can be prone to problems with shifting delays and shuddering.
- Owners mention sunroofs randomly cracking and sometimes shattering, dropping broken glass into the cabin.
- A common problem that occurs with the 2014 MKT is that the AC fan tends to change speed frequently.
- Despite its quirks, the 2014 Lincoln MKT is a good luxury SUV that was a finalist for U.S. News’ “Best Luxury SUV” award.
2014 MKT’s Four Recalls Cover Problems With Fractured Suspension, and a Faulty Fuel Pump That May Cause Engine Stall
The 2014 Lincoln MKT has been recalled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) four times over problems ranging from potential rollaway to engine stalls.
One of the recalls over an overheating vacuum pump only affected 2013–2015 Lincoln MKTs equipped with a limo or hearse preparation package.
The most severe of the recalls is for a fractured rear suspension toe link that may cause a sudden change in handling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford also recalled some MKTs with the 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engine over a fuel pump that may overheat and cause engine stall or prevent it from starting.
Owners Report Unusual and Dangerous Problem with 2014 Lincoln MKT’s Panoramic Sunroofs That Suddenly Shatter
Nearly half of the 2014 Lincoln MKT’s 40 NHTSA complaints are about sunroofs prone to cracking or shattering, spilling glass into the cabin.
Many owners say the panoramic sunroof actually exploded while driving, making a loud noise like a gunshot and covering the front seat in glass.
The sunroof problem was confirmed in threads on forums like The Lincoln Owners Group and Car Gurus. The issue also affected other Ford models, and repairs can cost over $1,000.
Additionally, according to Consumer Reports, several other car companies were also affected by the issue.
2014 MKT’s Automatic Transmission May Be Prone to Shifting Hesitation, Grinding, and Jumping During Acceleration
The 2014 Lincoln MKT is equipped with Ford’s six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. It’s paired with available V6 engines but can still experience issues like grinding, shuddering, and delays in shifting.
Experts recommend having the transmission fluids and the differential checked every 30,000 to 60,000 miles in order to prevent these issues.
If something does go wrong with this transmission, it isn’t cheap to fix. A rebuilt unit costs around $2,400.
A used unit with 72,000 miles costs a more reasonable $850, but that mileage comes with the risk of these issues happening again.
Small Electrical Problems Have Been Reported, Including an Air Conditioning Fan That Randomly Changes Speed
The 2014 Lincoln MKT reportedly has some small electrical problems. The most notable is a defective air conditioning fan that randomly and constantly changes speed.
Repair Pal confirms that numerous owners have reported this problem. Luckily, it is an easy fix that costs less than $100.
There has also been a handful of miscellaneous complaints about electrical issues reported to the NHTSA, including a glitchy backup camera that does not always work.
Despite Some Issues, 2014 Lincoln MKT Remains a Decent Pick for a Luxury SUV
Exploding sunroofs and engine stalls are things that nobody wants to deal with. Unfortunately with the 2014 Lincoln MKT, you may have to.
The good news is, not all of the major problems are common, and the vehicle has been recognized by reputable auto sites as a safe and reliable luxury SUV with a decent interior and strong engine.
Photos: Lincoln
