2011 Lincoln MKZ HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
40 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
72,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 40 complaints (45.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 12 | 30.0% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 18 |
| Steering | 13 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
Air Bags: 18; Steering: 13; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Electrical System: 2; Suspension: 2; Equipment Adaptive/Mobility: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 16 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 |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2014: 4; 2015: 4; 2016: 1; 2017: 12; 2018: 10; 2019: 4; 2023: 3; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10641621 · 2014-10-06 (October 6, 2014)
WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY (LESS THAN 30 MPH), A CHIME SOUNDED AND TWO MESSAGES APPEARED ON MY DASH-BOARD, "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT," AND "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC." SIMULTANEOUSLY, POWER STEERING ASSIST STOPPED WORKING, REQUIRING ME TO MUSCLE THE STEERING WHEEL AROUND IN ORDER TO MANEUVER OUT OF HARMS WAY. IN ADDITION TO THE INCIDENT DESCRIBED ABOVE, THE SAME THING (LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THOSE TWO MESSAGES) OCCURRED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES, AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND CONDITIONS. I WAS ALWAYS ABLE TO RESTORE FUNCTION BY RESTARTING THE ENGINE ONCE OR …
Owner-reported narrative. 57,099 miles reported. Look up ODI 10641621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10643497 · 2014-10-09 (October 9, 2014)
POWER STEERING ASSIST WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING CAR. STEERING SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT WENT ON. PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF ENGINE AND THEN RESTARTED IT. POWER STEERING ASSIST WORKED UNTIL A FEW HOURS LATER IT WENT OFF AGAIN IN THE DRIVEWAY. TURNED OFF ENGINE AND THEN RESTARTED IT AND POWER STEERING ASSIST WORKED AGAIN. TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER ON JULY 31. I WAS GIVEN A LOANER CAR AND I PICKED UP MY CAR ON AUGUST 1. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 16,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10643497 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10806834 · 2015-10-22 (October 22, 2015)
2011 LINCOLN MKZ. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE ABS MODULE WAS REPLACED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10806834 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11522318 · 2023-05-16 (May 16, 2023)
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the brakes failed to operate upon depression of the brake pedal with several unknown warning lights flashing on the instrument panel. The contact immediately applied the parking brake and drifted the vehicle off to the roadway. The contact restarted the vehicle three times and the warning lights reappeared on the instrument panel. The contact drove the vehicle home and later had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer inspected the vehicle and informe…
Owner-reported narrative. 69,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11522318 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10716957 · 2015-05-17 (May 17, 2015)
LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE - POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND AFTER 5 TIMES OF TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, AND THEN RESTARTING IT, THE ALERT WOULD GO AWAY AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD BE ACTIVE AGAIN. HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS, HOWEVER IT HAS BEEN A DAILY ISSUE FOR THE LAST WEEK.
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10716957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10663452 · 2014-12-10 (December 10, 2014)
I OWN A LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID (2011). I HAVE WHAT I CONSIDER A SAFETY FAILURE/HAZARD. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK/LATCH FAILED AND I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. I HAVE TO OPEN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR BY WAY OF THE OUTSIDE HANDLE. IN AN EMERGENCY, IF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE, A DRIVER WOULD BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE SEAT COULD NOT MOVE BACK, THUS, POTENTIALLY TRAPPING A DRIVER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10663452 at NHTSA ↗