2011 Lincoln MKS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
43 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 43 complaints (48.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 21 | 48.8% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 14.0% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 14.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 21 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
Steering: 21; Engine: 4; Service Brakes: 4; Electrical System: 3; Exterior Lighting: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Air Bags: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2011: 3; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 5; 2015: 2; 2016: 3; 2017: 4; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2022: 1; 2023: 5; 2024: 5; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10563543 · 2014-02-09 (February 9, 2014)
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY WHEN I NOTICED THE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" MESSAGE IN THE DISPLAY CENTER AND MY ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING HAD SHUT OFF. IT WAS A 20 MILE DRIVE HOME WITH NO POWER STEERING IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES. HAD I BEEN DRIVING AT A MORE BUSY TIME, I MIGHT HAVE HAD A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 23,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10563543 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10627690 · 2014-08-23 (August 23, 2014)
POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND HAD POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT ERROR. INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND PUTTING THE CAR INTO DRIVE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 46,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10627690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10465950 · 2012-07-17 (July 17, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ASKING TO PERFORM A HEALTH REPORT SCAN OF THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE CONTACT AGREED TO THE SCAN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. UPDATED 8/31/12 *CN UPDATED 09/11/2012 *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10465950 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10778758 · 2015-09-30 (September 30, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ONE OTHER OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10778758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10496102 · 2013-02-01 (February 1, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE REAR ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY OFFERED TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR EXPENSES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. UPDATED 03/20/13*LJ
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10496102 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10616372 · 2014-07-25 (July 25, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP ON AN INCLINE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SURGED UNEXPECTEDLY. IN ADDITION, THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE VEHICLE SURGED AND CRASHED INTO A DOG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WHO WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE F…
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10616372 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11686253 · 2025-09-10 (September 10, 2025)
I was driving and I hear a beeping sound,and my steering just stopped working and made it difficult to control the vehicle in a curve.. Recall Details: 2011–2013 Power Steering Electric Assist Loss •In June 2015, Ford issued Recall #15S18 (NHTSA Campaign 15V340000) for a range of vehicles, including the 2011 Lincoln MKS, due to a potential intermittent electrical connection in the steering gear. This defect could cause loss of electronic power steering assist, increasing steering effort and potential crash risk , I never received notification of …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11686253 at NHTSA ↗