Does the 2011 Lincoln MKS have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Lincoln MKS, the most recent reported on April 26, 2016 (Air bags: frontal). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Lincoln MKS?

Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is steering (21 complaints), followed by engine (4).

How many 2011 Lincoln MKS complaints mention a crash or fire?

3 of 43 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 39 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2011 Lincoln MKS recalls and problems

3 recalls and 43 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2011 Lincoln MKS.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2011 Lincoln MKS recalls

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 16V247000 · reported April 26, 2016 · Ford Motor Company · 695 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.

Steering: electric power assist system

NHTSA campaign 15V340000 · reported June 2, 2015 · Ford Motor Company · 393,623 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
The risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: 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. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.

Structure: body, door

NHTSA campaign 15V040000 · reported January 28, 2015 · Ford Motor Company · 194,889 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
The risk: If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S02.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Steering21
Engine4
Service brakes4
Electrical system3
Exterior lighting3
Unknown or other3
Vehicle speed control3
Air bags2
Electronic stability control (ESC)2
Fuel/propulsion system2

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

May 3, 2026 · Steering
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Power Steering While driving yesterday, doing shopping and online order deliveries, the steering wheel started having slight resistance during turns. It became worse shortly after. As I attempted to leave a grocery…

Dec 10, 2025 · Steering · 212,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while reversing into a parking space, the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was later restarted, and the traction control and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle then experienced a loss of power steering assist…

Sep 10, 2025 · Steering
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…

Apr 22, 2024 · Steering
the steering system locks up and loses power assist,and the brakes and traction control sys also malfunction, and several failure lights all come on ,as I was making a left turn in front of a police car the steering locked up and I almost hit the police car,the vehicle isn't driveable,the policeman advised me not to…

Feb 22, 2024 · Steering
In 2015 a recall was done to repair the power steering failure issue. In October of 2021, while driving the vehicle down the highway, the power steering went out making the vehicle almost impossible to steer. Had the vehicle towed to the dealership where they verified the issue and pulled code U3000 for steering gear…

MKS model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2009	1	56	4	1
2010	0	51	8	0
2011	3	43	3	1
2012	3	17	1	0
2013	7	142	6	4
2014	2	44	1	0

Across all years, the 2013 MKS has the most complaints (142). All Lincoln MKS years →

Questions

Does the 2011 Lincoln MKS have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Lincoln MKS, the most recent reported on April 26, 2016 (Air bags: frontal). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Lincoln MKS?: Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is steering (21 complaints), followed by engine (4).
How many 2011 Lincoln MKS complaints mention a crash or fire?: 3 of 43 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 39 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received May 3, 2026.