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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2011 Lincoln MKTRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 19 owner complaints for the 2011 Lincoln MKT. Most complaints involve steering (11) and engine (4). The EPA rates it 16–19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–19mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jun 2015
Owner complaints
19
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: electric power assist system

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Jun 2, 2015NHTSA 15V340000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

19 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2013 – Jul 2023
  1. Steering11
  2. Engine4
  3. Vehicle speed control2
  4. Power train2
  5. Wheels2
  6. Electrical system1
  7. Structure1
  8. Latches/locks/linkages1
  9. Fuel system, gasoline1

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

By model year

Complaints for each MKT model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201065
201119
201228
201370
201454
201524
20169
20174
20187
201918
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

11 reports
“The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel became firm. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 197,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 8, 2023SteeringODI 11526020

Engine

4 reports
“Car begin smoking out of the back took car to dealership car oil was low. Car dealership refilled oil and told me to come back after driving 1000 miles. Car began smoking again like it was going to catch on fire took car in was told the turbo boost failed. Dealership mention that the turbo boost was previously repaired and under warranty so they repaired it. Car started smoking again I took car to dealership to get an oil change and made them aware that the car was smoking bad again. I was informed that it takes a while for the oil to burn out of the exhaust. Two days later I when to the store to pick up my medication and once again the car began smoking and the smoke was comin into the car, the check engiene like came on and the oil light came on as I was driving. The car began to make ding sound and start stuttering like it was going to shut off. I tried to acclerator and the car was still going slow as I was driving on a busy street. I got the car home and the next day called to have it towed to dealership. 3/2/2023 Called the dealership because I have not heard from them and was informed that the turbo boost failed again.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2023Steering, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11509944

Vehicle speed control

2 reports
“UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION IN COLD WEATHER, THE VEHICLE HESITATES CONTINUOUSLY AND REPEATEDLY. 3 TRIPS TO DEALER AND A CALL TO FORD TO RESOLVE ISSUE. THEY REPLACED A FUEL INJECTOR AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY. PROBLEM MAY BE COMING BACK, ABOUT A YEAR LATER. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2013Fuel system, gasoline, Vehicle speed controlODI 10519586
All 2011 MKT problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
MKT FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
MKT AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
MKT AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
MKT Hearse AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
142016$4,000555
  • MKT FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • MKT AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • MKT AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • MKT Hearse AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Lincoln MKT as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 597Vehicle 174
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 MKT questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Lincoln MKT have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 Lincoln MKT problems?

Owners filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (11), engine (4), vehicle speed control (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Lincoln MKT get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Lincoln MKT at 16–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026