Problems · NHTSA complaints

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid problems

Owners filed 183 complaints about the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid with NHTSA between May 2011 and Aug 2025. The most-cited component is air bags (84).

Complaints
183
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
12
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags84
  2. Steering32
  3. Service brakes20
  4. Engine10
  5. Structure10
  6. Electrical system9
  7. Vehicle speed control7
  8. Tires5
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  10. Engine and engine cooling4
  11. Exterior lighting4
  12. Suspension4
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)3
  14. Latches/locks/linkages3

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 Oct 27, 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
20112
20121
20131
201411
201512
201613
201745
201836
201924
202010
20216
20227
20238
20244
20253

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

Air bags

84 reports6 crashes1 fire
“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact recently received a recall notice stating that parts were available; however, the contact was informed by the dealer that the parts were still not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2022Air bagsODI 11486097

Steering

32 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the steering rack. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2025SteeringODI 11679126

Service brakes

20 reports2 crashes
“I was stopping at a stop sign and was unable to stop immediately, instead I coasted a little bit before stopping. Then the brake warning lights and ABS and traction lights came on. I pulled over to a parking lot and turned the car off and turned it back on: all the lights came back on. I put on my flashers and very carefully and slowly drove my car to Jiffy Lube. They did an $108 oil change and checked the brake pads and brake fluid levels and said everything was fine and I would need to take it to a larger shop. I contacted the Apple Ford dealer near me and had my family follow me as I dropped it off. They said it would be a total of $310 for diagnostic and brake flush. I did the flush and it didn’t work. They said it would cost just shy of $3k to replace the entire hydraulic system. I took the car home because that is too much for a 2011 vehicle. I ended up having to get a new car because I need transportation for me and my two young children. My neighbor took a look at the car (he works on trucks) and the battery wouldn’t work. I bought a new battery for the car at $238.14. The lights are still on. I would like to have this car fixed or be able to trade it…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 21, 2024Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11595694

Engine

10 reports
“While traveling on interstate at70 mph a red triangle appears on dash engine turns off warning on dash to stop asap. All you have is electrical power which is not much. Car needs to be turned off and restarted. This may occur again in a few minutes or not. Took to dealer they said they replaced an O2 sensor. It still turns off. Back to dealer. They can’t reproduce. Has happened to me at least 8 times on surface streets and highways. Extremely dangerous to loose power on highways. This started about 6 months ago. Still happening. Last incident was today”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 15, 2025Unknown or other, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11642912

Structure

10 reports2 crashes2 fires
“THE DOOR HATCH IS BROKEN, , IT IS HARD TO SHUT AND LATCH THE DOOR. THE DOOR ALTHOUGH SHUT AND LATCHED HAS COME OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE HAS BEING DRIVEN. THIS HAS OCCURED SEVERAL TIMES. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THIS CAR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 22, 2020StructureODI 11350778

Electrical system

9 reports2 crashes2 fires
“THE HYBRID MODE DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE AFTER 9 YEARS. THE VEHICLE HESITATES UPON ACCELERATION. IT WILL ONLY RUN ON THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AS NOTED IN THEIR OASIS 8922.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 24, 2020Electrical system, EngineODI 11311088
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026

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