NHTSA vehicle safety data
2011 Lincoln MKS Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2011 Lincoln MKS has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 43 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Lincoln dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 Lincoln MKS, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2011 Lincoln MKS owner complaints
Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Lincoln MKS, describing incidents dated December 30, 2010 to May 2, 2026.
Most-cited components
- Steering 21 complaints
- Engine 5 complaints
- Service Brakes 5 complaints
- Electrical System 3 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 3 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 3 complaints
Of the 43 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 43 complaints, owners report 39 injuries and 40 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11735344 · Filed
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…
ODI #11704251 · Filed
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…
ODI #11686253 · Filed
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…
Air Bag Second Stage may not Inflate Properly
NHTSA #16V247000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice
Reported April 26, 2016 · Ford Motor Company
Potentially affected: 695 vehicles
Repair completion: 84.32% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 16C06 · Owners notified June 9, 2016 · Vehicles built July 29, 2010 – June 2, 2011 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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."
Safety consequence
An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist
NHTSA #15V340000 · Steering — Electric Power Assist System · NHTSA notice
Reported June 2, 2015 · Ford Motor Company
Potentially affected: 393,623 vehicles
Repair completion: 69.35% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 15S18 · Owners notified July 21, 2015 · Vehicles built September 7, 2010 – February 28, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Interior Door Handle Return Spring may Unseat
NHTSA #15V040000 · Structure — Body — Door · NHTSA notice
Reported January 28, 2015 · Ford Motor Company
Potentially affected: 194,889 vehicles
Repair completion: 52.19% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 15S02 · Owners notified March 23, 2015 · Vehicles built June 1, 2011 – October 31, 2011 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Lincoln MKS model years
Check your 2011 Lincoln MKS VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lincoln MKS at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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