VehicleVerdict

2011 Lincoln MKZ problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2011 Lincoln MKZ sits mid-pack among MKZ years: 180 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 130, with 7 recalls and 2 closed investigations. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 66 reports (37% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

180

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

2

Investigations

23

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2011 compare to other MKZ years?

MKZ NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted328 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 305 complaints2008: 328 complaints2009: 129 complaints2010: 197 complaints2011: 180 complaints2012: 176 complaints2013: 146 complaints2014: 130 complaints2015: 100 complaints2016: 77 complaints2017: 176 complaints2018: 36 complaints2019: 18 complaints2020: 2 complaints
MKZ NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all MKZ years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Lincoln MKZ problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags6637%
Brakes2011%
Steering1911%
Engine148%
Electrical System116%
Body & Structure116%
Other106%
Tires & Wheels84%
Speed Control74%
Lighting32%
Transmission32%
Fuel System21%
Suspension21%
Seats21%
Latches & Locks21%

Does the 2011 Lincoln MKZ have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V158000AirbagsMarch 10, 2021 · 2,602,668 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.

21E013000AirbagsFebruary 16, 2021 · 249 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

19V001000AirbagsJanuary 7, 2019 · 782,384 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.

18V775000AirbagsNovember 1, 2018 · 215 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ vehicles that previously received a replacement passenger air bag under recall 16V-384, 17V-024 or 18V-046. In the event of a crash requiring deployment of the passenger air bag, the bracket that secures the air bag inflator to the module housing may deform, allowing the gas that inflates the air bag to leak out.

Consequence

If the air bag does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S34.

16V384000AirbagsMay 31, 2016 · 1,892,343 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

15V340000SteeringJune 2, 2015 · 393,623 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

14E028000OtherMay 29, 2014 · 82,579 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain all weather driver side accessory floor mats sold for use in model year 2006-2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, and 2007-2011 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 9, 2007, through October 31, 2010. The affected floor mats may move and possibly interfere with the accelerator pedal.

Consequence

The floor mat could shift such that it could interfere with the accelerator pedal, preventing its return to an idle position, which could result in unintended vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement mats, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S07. NOTE: Vehicles built after October 31, 2010, while potentially equipped with the same floor mats, are equipped with a Brake Over Accelerator (BOA) feature that prevents simultaneous accelerator and brake application, allowing the vehicle to be safely stopped by pressing firmly and steadily on the brake pedal.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

40 M, CAR WHEN RIGHT OFF ROAD, HIT A POLL. CENTER TO RIGHT FRONT DAMAGE. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I DID NOT HAVE ANY CUTS ON FACE BUT MY HEAD WAS HURTING HARD. ALOT I DON'T REMEMBER AFTER THAT FOR DAYS. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 11, 2013 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED. ALSO, WHEN THE BRAKE AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT THE SAME TIME, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 1, 2015 · crash

FALSE ADVERTISING . MISLEADING AND FALSE INFORMATION ON VEHICLE PURCHASE BAIT AND SWITCH . AUTO FRAUD DEALER ROAD RUNNER AUTO SALES INC 24560 TAYLOR MICHIGAN 48180 SALES MANAGER [XXX] SCAMMERS SALVAGED VEHICLES NOT DISCLOSED AT TIME OF PURCHASE AND FALSE INFORMATION OR DOCUMENT STATING THAT CAR IS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 7, 2015 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PROPANE FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MIGHT HAVE FAILED BUT WAS UNAWARE HOW TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKZ. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR, THERE WERE FLAMES ON THE DOOR PANEL. THE DRIVER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIRED. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 9, 2017 · fire

2011 Lincoln MKZ — common questions

Is the 2011 Lincoln MKZ reliable?

It is close to typical for the MKZ: 180 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2011 MKZ problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (66 complaints), brakes (20 complaints), steering (19 complaints).

Does the 2011 Lincoln MKZ have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Lincoln MKZ. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2011 Lincoln MKZ under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Lincoln MKZ years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the MKZ years to avoid are 2008, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. The cleanest record among MKZ years belongs to 2006.

How safe is the 2011 Lincoln MKZ?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2011 Lincoln MKZ earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.