The Lemon Index
201020121st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: steering
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
15 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–38 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 BMW 3 Series 672011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 152011 Lexus IS 27
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
- Steering rack / power steering12 complaintsmostly at 75,000–128,000 miles (120,000–206,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 185 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ (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 13 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 21V158000 (airbags), 21E013000 (airbags) and 19V001000 (airbags) done? It has 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Lincoln sent dealers 39 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Steering related noises”?
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 15 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 19K to 57K miles (31K to 92K km) on the car (13 of all 15 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.
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 39 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Steering related noises
- Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and MKZ/Zephyr,…
- Ford/lincoln: when flat towing vehicle, battery will drain, due to manual instruction of key…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers.
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 7 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
In the event of a crash requiring deployment of the passenger air bag, the bracket that secures the air bag inflator to the module housing may deform, allowing the gas that inflates the air bag to leak out.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Steering · recall issued 2015 Hybrid only
The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
- Equipment · recall issued 2014
The affected floor mats may move and possibly interfere with the accelerator pedal.
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
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedElectric power steering failure2014–2015
- ClosedFloor mat interference with accelerator2012–2014
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln MKZ 4 DR AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Lincoln MKZ 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln MKZ Hev 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,600–$3,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Lincoln MKZ 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-mkz/?y=2011" title="Lincoln MKZ reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="399" 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-mkz/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Lincoln MKZ reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Lincoln MKZ reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 46; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2011 Lincoln MKZ problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (33%), electrical (27%) and speed control (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Lincoln MKZ have?
7 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Lincoln MKZ get?
19 to 38 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2011 Lincoln MKZ safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2011 Lincoln MKZ have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2011 Lincoln MKZ cost in fuel a year?
About $1,600 to $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Lincoln MKZ have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Lincoln MKZ year than the 2011?
Not nearby: the 2011 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Lincoln MKZ years within 3 model years of it.
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