2011 Lincoln MKS Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 7 MKS years
The 2011 Lincoln MKS ranks worst of 7 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 43 complaints dominated by steering issues (49% share). It carries 3 recalls, including a power steering module and driver airbag campaign, making it the year to avoid most within this model.
- Complaints
- 43
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 39 / 40
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 24 hwy
Top 2011 Lincoln MKS problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report unintended acceleration or surging while braking or coming to a stop, in some cases resulting in a crash.
- Some describe the electronic power steering assist cutting out with a fault message, leaving the vehicle without power steering while driving.
- Several complaints describe a vehicle drift to one side even with both hands on the wheel.
- Owners report a fuel line leak caused by rodent damage to plastic fuel line components.
- Brake pedal vibration was reported at 17,000 miles, traced to rear rotor issues.
- Multiple owners describe electrical faults, including headlights that were reported as too bright and a stall triggered by an instrument panel health-report prompt.
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?
- Among the 7 model years of the MKS tracked, 2011 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 and 43 NHTSA complaints. The top problem area is steering, accounting for 49% of complaints.
- What is the top problem area for the 2011 Lincoln MKS?
- Steering is the top problem area, with 21 complaints making up 49% of all reported issues, and a median failure mileage of 57,000 miles.
- Does the 2011 Lincoln MKS have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Lincoln MKS: a driver frontal airbag module recall, a power steering control module recall, and an interior door handle recall. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2011 MKS compare to other MKS model years?
- The 2011 MKS has the highest complaint index (100) of the 7 years tracked, verdict 'Avoid.' By contrast, 2012 has a complaint index of 17 (verdict 'Best') and 2015 has 33 (verdict 'Good').
- Were there crashes or injuries linked to 2011 MKS complaints?
- NHTSA data lists 3 crashes, 1 fire, 39 injuries, and 40 deaths associated with 2011 Lincoln MKS complaints.