The Lemon Index
201020121st generation
19 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Lexus RX 172011 Acura MDX 302011 BMW X5 95
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2011 Lincoln MKX
- Brake booster / hard pedal17 complaintsmostly at 54,000–128,000 miles (86,000–205,000 km)
- Engine stalling10 complaintsmostly at 26,000–86,000 miles (42,000–138,000 km)
- Backup camera10 complaintsmostly at 2,700–110,000 miles (4,300–177,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 149 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Lincoln MKX (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 15 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 11V128000 (electrical), 10V659000 (body structure) and 10V516000 (latches/locks/linkages) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Lincoln sent dealers 51 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Ford/lincoln: on some vehicles, transmission 5th gear start at stop, speed control drops or…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lincoln's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 19 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 30K miles (1K to 48K km) on the car (15 of all 19 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Vehicle experienced sudden and complete engine stall at approximately 45 mph. Lost power steering, brakes, and control of vehicle became extremely difficult. After bring vehicle to safe stop on shoulder, it restarted.
2011 Lincoln MKX owner · NHTSA complaint 10535299
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 51 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Ford/lincoln: on some vehicles, transmission 5th gear start at stop, speed control drops or…
- On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot…
- Ford/lincoln: warranty extension has been provided for certain model vehicles with accessory…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Electrical · recall issued 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 FORD F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, EDGE, AND LINCOLN MKX TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 25, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 20, 2010.
- Body structure · recall issued 2010
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, EDGE AND LINCOLN MKX VEHICLES.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2010
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 EDGE AND LINCOLN MKX VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 8, 2010.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln MKX SUV AWD | not rated | ★★★☆☆ | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln MKX SUV FWD | not rated | ★★★☆☆ | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850–$3,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl.
Every Lincoln MKX year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-mkx/?y=2011" title="Lincoln MKX reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lincoln-mkx/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Lincoln MKX reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Lincoln MKX reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 69; 100 is average, lower is better). The Lincoln MKX year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2018.
What are the most common 2011 Lincoln MKX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (37%), engine (21%) and speed control (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Lincoln MKX have?
3 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Lincoln MKX get?
19 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2011 Lincoln MKX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2011 Lincoln MKX cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Lincoln MKX have?
3.7L 6-cyl.
What Lincoln MKX year is better than the 2011?
Nearby, the 2014 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2018 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works