YearToAvoid

2011 Lincoln MKX Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 31 engine complaints for the 2011 Lincoln MKX, 21% of the 149 total complaints filed for that year, with a median failure mileage of 55,500. No related recalls are listed for this problem area.

Engine complaints
31
21% of 149
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
55,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine stalls suddenly at highway speeds, sometimes near 70 mph, then coasts before restarting on its own.
  • Sudden loss of power while accelerating onto an expressway ramp, with power steering also cutting out.
  • Repeated engine failures on the same vehicle over several months, sometimes with a wrench-shaped warning light appearing on the dash.
  • Unintended acceleration or surging while stopped or parking, in one case leading to a crash.
  • Coolant-related warning lights followed by smoke or burning smell, in some cases linked to engine or module failure.
  • Engine shuts off unexpectedly at low speed while pulling out of a parking spot, then restarts intermittently.

When 2011 Lincoln MKX engine complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 9, 2011, latest Aug 15, 2026.

2011 Lincoln MKX engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Dec 2011Oct 2014Jul 2016Jan 2018Feb 2019Oct 2020Aug 2026
31 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2011 to Aug 2026; peak Oct 2014 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2011 Lincoln MKX

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by MKX model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20109 (8%)
  2. 201131 (21%)
  3. 20128 (10%)
  4. 201323 (14%)
  5. 20148 (23%)
  6. 20157 (37%)
  7. 201638 (25%)
  8. 20177 (13%)
  9. 20185 (16%)
  10. 20190 (0%)
  11. 20200 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2011 Lincoln MKX have?
NHTSA lists 31 engine complaints for the 2011 Lincoln MKX, which is 21% of the 149 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2011 Lincoln MKX engine?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the engine problem area on the 2011 Lincoln MKX.
At what mileage do 2011 Lincoln MKX engine problems typically appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 55,500 miles.
What kind of engine problems do 2011 Lincoln MKX owners report?
Owners report sudden engine stalling at speed, loss of power steering during stalls, unintended acceleration, and coolant-related warning lights followed by smoke, based on NHTSA complaint narratives.
Were there any crashes or fires linked to engine complaints on the 2011 MKX?
NHTSA data shows 2 crashes and 2 fires associated with the 31 engine complaints filed for the 2011 Lincoln MKX.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.