VehicleVerdict

2011 Mercury Milan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2011 Mercury Milan is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 9 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 258 owner complaints run below the Milan median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 75 reports (29% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

258

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

3

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2011 compare to other Milan years?

Milan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted1,430 complaints2006: 250 complaints2007: 505 complaints2008: 522 complaints2009: 251 complaints2010: 1,430 complaints2011: 258 complaints
Milan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Milan years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Mercury Milan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering7529%
Transmission3012%
Lighting2911%
Engine249%
Speed Control229%
Electrical System218%
Airbags177%
Fuel System156%
Brakes125%
Other73%
Tires & Wheels21%
Body & Structure10%
Suspension10%
Driver Assistance10%
Visibility & Wipers10%

Does the 2011 Mercury Milan have recalls?

9 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.

21V081000AirbagsFebruary 16, 2021 · 1,067 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that 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 owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

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.

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.

15V793000Fuel SystemNovember 24, 2015 · 411,205 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured July 21, 2008, to March 4, 2011, and 2010-2011 Mercury Milan vehicles manufactured July 23, 2008, to December 10, 2010. The affected vehicles have fuel vapor canisters whose purge valves may not operate properly resulting in abnormal pressure changes in the fuel tank.

Consequence

The pressure changes may cause the tank to crack and leak fuel. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle powertrain control modules and inspect the vehicle for any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) for this issue and perform a leak test on the Canister Purge Valve (CPV). The fuel tank will be inspected for cracks. The CPV and fuel tank will be replaced as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S34.

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.

11V574000Tires & WheelsDecember 7, 2011 · 128,616 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 FORD FUSION AND MERCURY MILAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 17 INCH STEEL WHEELS AND BUILT FROM APRIL 1, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 30, 2009, AND FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009, THROUGH NOVEMBER 13, 2010. THE WHEEL STUDS MAY FRACTURE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A WHEEL TO SEPARATE.

Consequence

WHILE DRIVING, MULTIPLE STUD FRACTURES COULD OCCUR AT THE WHEEL LOCATION, AND THE OPERATOR MAY EXPERIENCE VEHICLE VIBRATION AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE DISC SURFACE FOR FLATNESS AND REPLACE THE DISCS AS NECESSARY. ADDITIONALLY, THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WILL BE REPLACED ON ALL FOUR WHEELS. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JANUARY 24, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND I AM A 77 YEAR OLD WOMEN! I THANK GOD THAT I DID NOT HAVE TO GO AROUND ANYTHING BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE HIT IT, BEING UNABLE TO MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL WITH EASE! THE 2011 MERCURY MILAN HAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT MY CAR WAS MADE 7 DAYS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 26, 2018

AS I STARTED THE CAR THE DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE THEN IT STARTED TO BUCK THEN THE WRENCH SIGN CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. I CHECKED THE MANUAL AND IT SAID THROTTLE/TRANSMISSION. I SWITCHED OFF THE CAR AND STARTED AGAIN THEN A FEW SECONDS IT HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN FOR FIVE TIMES I MANAGED TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 25, 2014

RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT STARTED FLICKERING BRIGHT TO DIM. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS IT WENT OUT COMPLETELY. WAS REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY - BUT COST WOULD HAVE BEEN OVER $350 DOLLARS WHICH MAKES IT COST PROHIBITIVE FOR SOME I AM SURE (WHY SHOULD A "BULB" GOING OUT COST SO MUCH TO FIX). VERY POOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 1, 2013

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE A WARNING CAME ON STATING POWER ASSIST FAILURE. CAR HAD MANUAL STEERING ONLY. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT WENT AWAY WHEN THE CAR WAS RESTARTED. NO SUCH LUCK THIS TIME, WARNING STAYS ON AND NO POWER STEERING. LUCKILY I WAS ON STRAIGHT ROADS BOTH TIMES. I SEE THERE WAS A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 7, 2020

WRENCH AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO BEYOND 5 MPH. WAITED AND TURNED THE CAR BACK ON.,ENGINE LIGHT STAYED LIT AND WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AUTOZONE AND RECEIVED A DIAGNOSTIC CODE P2111: THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM, TACHOMETER OPEN OR SHORTED. CALLED FORD AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 27, 2013

2011 Mercury Milan — common questions

Is the 2011 Mercury Milan reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 258 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Milan year, with 9 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2011 Milan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (75 complaints), transmission (30 complaints), lighting (29 complaints).

Does the 2011 Mercury Milan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Mercury Milan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2011 Mercury Milan under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercury Milan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Milan years to avoid are 2010. The cleanest record among Milan years belongs to 2006.

How safe is the 2011 Mercury Milan?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2011 Mercury Milan 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.