2011 Lincoln MKZ Steering Problems
NHTSA lists 19 steering complaints for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ, 13% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 71,289. Two crashes and two injuries are linked to steering. A related recall (15V340000) covers the power steering control module.
- Steering complaints
- 19
- 13% of 145
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 71,289 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical steering symptoms owners report
- Steering suddenly becomes hard to turn or seizes while driving at low speeds, sometimes right after starting the vehicle.
- Power steering assist drops out or fails intermittently, often noted when slowing down or coming to a stop.
- Dashboard warnings such as "Service Power Steering" or "Service Power Steering Now" appear along with loss of steering assist.
- The vehicle drifts to the left unexpectedly at highway speeds of 60 mph and above.
- Steering wheel makes abnormal noise or vibrates excessively, with intermittent seizing that dealers could not replicate.
- Some owners report the steering fault recurred even after the steering-related recall repair was performed.
When 2011 Lincoln MKZ steering complaints were filed
First complaint May 5, 2011, latest Jan 19, 2023.
Steering recalls for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
- 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.
Steering complaints by MKZ model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many steering complaints does the 2011 Lincoln MKZ have?
- NHTSA lists 19 steering complaints for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ, which is 13% of all 145 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a steering recall for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ?
- Yes. Recall 15V340000 covers the Power Steering Control Module on 2011-2012 Lincoln MKZ hybrid vehicles and related Ford/Mercury models. Dealers check the module for diagnostic trouble codes as the remedy.
- At what mileage do steering problems typically show up on the 2011 MKZ?
- The median mileage at failure for steering complaints on the 2011 MKZ is 71,289 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.
- Did the steering issues cause any crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data links 2 crashes and 2 injuries to steering complaints on the 2011 Lincoln MKZ.
- Did the recall fix the steering problem for all owners?
- Not always. At least one owner reported the steering fault indicator and wheel seizing recurred even after the vehicle was serviced under recall 15V340000.