Recall 13V230 affects 107 2013 Lincoln Mkz vehicles for engine block heater cords that can expose electrical wires. Free repair at any franchised Lincoln dealer.
Lincoln is recalling 107 2013 Mkz vehicles equipped with an engine block heater because the heater cord can bend during use and crack the wire insulation. Exposed electrical wires increase the risk of electric shock, and the Lincoln dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The engine block heater on the 2013 Lincoln Mkz warms the engine block while the vehicle is parked in cold weather. It uses an electrical cord that plugs into household power and carries current to the heater element. The cord insulation is supposed to keep the wires covered and separated while the cord is handled, routed, and stored.
In NHTSA campaign 13V230, the problem is the cord, not the whole electrical system. During use, the engine block heater cord can be bent. In certain temperatures, that bending can crack the wire insulation. Once the insulation cracks, the electrical wires are exposed instead of protected, which creates the defect Lincoln is recalling.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner will not have a dependable symptom to watch for before the insulation cracks, so the condition has to be handled through the recall repair path.
Who's affected?
| 2013 Lincoln Mkz | electrical system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 107 |
Not every 2013 Lincoln Mkz is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
Exposed electrical wires in the block heater cord increase the risk of electric shock when the cord is handled or plugged in. Avoid using the block heater cord until the recall work is done, and ask the dealer about safe handling if the cord looks damaged. Repair will be free at any franchised Lincoln dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Lincoln Mkz is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Lincoln dealer to ask whether the free block-heater-cord replacement is open for your VIN.
- Stop using the engine block heater until the dealer repair is complete.
- Schedule the block-heater-cord replacement that fixes the cracked insulation and exposed-wire shock risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Lincoln mailed one. If not, reference recall number 13V230 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Lincoln technician replaces the engine block heater cord covered by recall 13V230. The issue is with the cord insulation: when the cord is bent during use in certain temperatures, insulation can crack and expose electrical wires. The record says Ford began owner notification on June 28, 2013. Because the remedy status is not listed here, treat scheduling as dealer-confirmed. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| May 31, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 28, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V230?
Recall 13V230 covers 107 2013 Lincoln Mkz vehicles equipped with an engine block heater. The block heater cord can bend during use, crack the wire insulation in certain temperatures, and expose electrical wires, increasing the risk of electric shock. Lincoln dealers replace the block heater cord for free.
What should I do if my 2013 Lincoln Mkz is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 13V230. If it is, contact a franchised Lincoln dealer to schedule the block heater cord replacement. Reference recall number 13V230 or Ford recall number 13S05 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and the remedy for recall 13V230 is a free block heater cord replacement at a franchised Lincoln dealer. Parts and labor are covered.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is electric shock from exposed electrical wires. In recall 13V230, the engine block heater cord can bend during use and crack the insulation, leaving the wires exposed. Until the repair is complete, avoid using the block heater cord.
What if I bought my Lincoln Mkz used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If you never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your 2013 Lincoln Mkz is included, then call a Lincoln dealer with recall number 13V230.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V230000 |
|---|---|
| Lincoln customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V230 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V230000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →