2011 Lincoln MKS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2011 Lincoln MKS ranks worst of 8 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 43 NHTSA complaints, mostly steering (49% share). It carries three recalls covering airbags, steering, and door handles, and is rated Avoid relative to other MKS years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 8 MKS years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 43
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 39
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 39 / 40
Top 2011 Lincoln MKS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering21 (49%)
- Engine8 (19%)
- Brakes7 (16%)
- Electrical System5 (12%)
- Fuel System3 (7%)
- Other3 (7%)
- Airbags2 (5%)
- Structure & Body2 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles surged unexpectedly during low-speed maneuvers, including one instance that jumped a curb and crashed into a patio table.
- Electronic power steering assist shut off while driving, with a fault message appearing on the display.
- Steering feel drifted to one side even with both hands on the wheel.
- A fuel line was reported punctured by rodent damage, causing a strong odor and leak.
- Rear rotors were replaced after the brake pedal caused vibration at highway speed.
- Daytime running lights failed to illuminate or connect properly, reducing visibility to other drivers.
2011 Lincoln MKS recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V247000Apr 26, 2016Airbags695 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.
- NHTSA 15V340000Jun 2, 2015Steering393,623 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
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.
- NHTSA 15V040000Jan 28, 2015Structure & Body194,889 vehicles
Structure:body:door
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
Risk: If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S02.
2011 Lincoln MKS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other MKS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Lincoln MKS reliable?
- Compared with other MKS model years, 2011 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst of the 8 years with data, driven mainly by steering complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Lincoln MKS?
- Steering issues make up 49% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 57,000 miles, followed by engine problems at 19%.
- Does the 2011 Lincoln MKS have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2011 MKS: a driver airbag module recall, a power steering control module recall, and an interior door handle recall.
- Which Lincoln MKS model years are better than 2011?
- NHTSA data rates 2012, 2014, and 2015 as Best or Good, with complaint indexes of 14, 43, and 29 respectively, far below the 2011 index of 100.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2011 Lincoln MKS?
- NHTSA has recorded 43 complaints for the 2011 MKS, including 3 crashes, 1 fire, 39 injuries, and 40 deaths reported.