2011 Lincoln MKZ
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 259 |
| 2008 | 281 |
| 2009 | 114 |
| 2010 | 169 |
| 2011 | 144 |
| 2012 | 146 |
| 2013 | 108 |
| 2014 | 97 |
| 2015 | 75 |
| 2016 | 62 |
| 2017 | 130 |
| 2018 | 31 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2020 | 2 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
46% of complaints: air bags — 66 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190212
14% of complaints: service brakes — 20 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I was driving home in rush hour traffic at approximately 50 mph. I tried to brake but the pedal went to the floor and I had no brakes at all. Turns out this was a recall issue for the same issue for the previous four years MKZs.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240309
13% of complaints: steering — 18 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR MOST FREQUENTLY WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 60 MPH AND ABOVE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20110505
7% of complaints: engine — 10 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: structure — 9 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRESAFETY TIMELINE
Floor mat interference with accelerator
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,...
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.
Campaign 14E028000 — check if this car was fixed
Electric power steering failure
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...
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.
Campaign 15V340000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
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.
Campaign 16V384000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 18V775000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
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.
Campaign 19V001000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 21E013000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge.
Campaign 21V158000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2011 Lincoln MKZ — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (66 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (20 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (18 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 14E028000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V340000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V384000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V775000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V001000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21E013000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V158000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2011 Lincoln MKZ reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Lincoln MKZ is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Lincoln MKZ?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 46% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 Lincoln MKZ have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.