Problems · NHTSA complaints

2011 Lincoln MKS problems

Owners filed 43 complaints about the 2011 Lincoln MKS with NHTSA between Feb 2011 and May 2026. The most-cited component is steering (21).

Complaints
43
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
39
People reported injured
Deaths
40
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering21
  2. Service brakes4
  3. Engine4
  4. Vehicle speed control3
  5. Electrical system3
  6. Exterior lighting3
  7. Structure2
  8. Fuel/propulsion system2
  9. Air bags2
  10. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  11. Suspension1
  12. Back over prevention1
  13. Forward collision avoidance1
  14. Latches/locks/linkages1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20113
20122
20132
20145
20152
20163
20174
20183
20191
20201
20213
20221
20235
20245
20252
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

21 reports1 related recall
“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 store, less than 5 minutes away from home, the steering wheel was extremely difficult to turn. I didn't see any leaks under the hood nor on the ground underneath my car. Nor was there any smells nor odors. On 5/1/2026, I did hear a slight noise when I turned the steering wheel to back into the driveway at home. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Steering wheel became difficult to turn right or left. I barely made it home to park it, as the longer I drove to get home, the more difficult it became to make turns. I parked it immediately as I didn't want to make too wide of a turn on a road, risking any accidents. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Not yet. I will need the car towed to a local Ford/Lincoln dealership for assessment. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 3, 2026Steering, Vehicle speed controlODI 11735344

Service brakes

4 reports
“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 drive the car,he verified the steering didn't work,when the problem occurs the steering gets extremely hard and at the same time lights and bells start ringing in the car and it's very scary because between the steering and brakes not working the bells and lights are very distracting”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 22, 2024Steering, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11584452

Engine

4 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while making a left turn, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle and continued driving to her destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2023Steering, EngineODI 11535415

Vehicle speed control

3 reports2 crashes
“WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT GOING UNDER 5 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD JUMPING THE SIDEWALK AND CRASHING INTO A CEMENT PATIO TABLE AND BENCH. SMOKE APPEARED AND RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2017Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11039550

Electrical system

3 reports
“VEHICLE PARKED AT RESTAURANT, WHEN CAME BACK OUT THE DOORS WERE UNLOCKED, THE WINDOWS WERE DOWN AND THE SUNROOF WAS OPEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 14, 2017Electrical systemODI 10945257

Exterior lighting

3 reports
“NON CONNECTED DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS. I AVOIDED A TOTAL OF THREE HEAD ON COLLISIONS WITHIN THE PAST THREE WEEKS (THE MOST RECENT WAS 08/19/2013). MY CAR IS SILVER AN APPARENTLY DRIVERS HAVE COMPLAINED TO ME, THEY HAVE GREAT DIFFICULTY SEEING MY CAR IN DAYLIGHT HOURS. IN MY CASE I MADE THREE TRIPS TO MY CLOSEST LINCOLN DEALER, PRESENTS A WEBSITE WHICH INFORMED THEIR STAFF HOW TO CONNECT THE DRL FROM THEIR SERVICE MANUAL. MY PROBLEM WITH THESE DRL SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR CONCERN TO OTHER 2011 LINCOLN MKS OWNERS!. THIS MORNING, THE SERVICE MANAGER HAD HIS STAFF CONNECT MY DRL, *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2013Exterior lightingODI 10536290
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.