Vehicles › Lincoln › Lincoln MKZ
2011 Lincoln MKZ
5 recall campaigns and 95 complaints are on NHTSA's register for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ; the recalls concern air bags and steering.
The component named most often is air bags: 495.8 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 124.4 per 1,000 across all 2011 model-year vehicles and against 537.8 per 1,000 for the Lincoln MKZ line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 64.3 complaints per model year across the 15 Lincoln MKZ model years on this register; 9 complaints reported a crash and 2 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2017 (33); the most recent in the file is dated 18 Mar 2019.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 2 investigations naming this model year.
NHTSA carries a "do not drive" advisory on at least one of these campaigns.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.
Filed by Ford Motor Company (manufacturer campaign 21S12).
Do not drive advisory
Defect, as filed: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.
Filed by Ford Motor Company (manufacturer campaign 19S01).
Defect, as filed: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ vehicles that previously received a replacement passenger air bag under recall 16V-384, 17V-024 or 18V-046. In the event of a crash requiring deployment of the passenger air bag, the bracket that secures the air bag inflator to the module housing may deform, allowing the gas that inflates the air bag to leak out.
Consequence: If the air bag does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S34.
Filed by Ford Motor Company (manufacturer campaign 18S34).
Do not drive advisory
Defect, as filed: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
Filed by Ford Motor Company (manufacturer campaign 19S01).
Defect, as filed: 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.
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.
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.
Filed by Ford Motor Company (manufacturer campaign 15S18).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ (black) against all 2011 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2011 | MKZ line | All 2011 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 495.8 | 537.8 | 124.4 |
| Steering | 92.4 | 36.4 | 100.1 |
| Structure | 67.2 | 34.7 | 42.2 |
| Electrical System | 50.4 | 50.7 | 132.1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 42 | 30.2 | 44.6 |
| Unknown or Other | 42 | 34.7 | 56.3 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 59 | 495.8 | 537.8 | 124.4 |
| Steering | 11 | 92.4 | 36.4 | 100.1 |
| Structure | 8 | 67.2 | 34.7 | 42.2 |
| Electrical System | 6 | 50.4 | 50.7 | 132.1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 42 | 30.2 | 44.6 |
| Unknown or Other | 5 | 42 | 34.7 | 56.3 |
| Engine | 3 | 25.2 | 24.9 | 118.1 |
| Tires | 3 | 25.2 | 10.7 | 11 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 25.2 | 17.8 | 31.1 |
| Seats | 2 | 16.8 | 11.6 | 10.9 |
| Power Train | 2 | 16.8 | 33.8 | 91.7 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 16.8 | 3.6 | 16.1 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 16.8 | 48.9 | 43.7 |
| Suspension | 2 | 16.8 | 5.3 | 24.1 |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | 8.4 | 1.8 | 1.7 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 1 | 8.4 | 10.7 | 5.6 |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 1 | 8.4 | 1.8 | 26.3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | 8.4 | 16 | 44.2 |
| Equipment | 1 | 8.4 | 2.7 | 4 |
| Wheels | 1 | 8.4 | 51.6 | 11.6 |
95 unique complaints, 119 component mentions; 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE14030 | Preliminary evaluation | Electric power steering failure | steering:electric power assist system | 2 Oct 2014 | 10 Sep 2015 | 15V340000 |
| EA12009 | Engineering analysis | Floor mat interference with accelerator | vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal | 12 Dec 2012 | 12 Jun 2014 | 14E028000 |
Other Lincoln MKZ model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 4 | 0 | 5,749,872 |
| 2007 | 4 | 216 | 5,749,872 |
| 2008 | 4 | 223 | 5,749,872 |
| 2009 | 6 | 84 | 6,078,735 |
| 2010 | 7 | 130 | 6,206,639 |
| 2011 | 5 | 95 | 5,671,233 |
| 2012 | 5 | 91 | 4,433,585 |
| 2013 | 12 | 49 | 6,470,794 |
| 2014 | 13 | 34 | 7,869,085 |
| 2015 | 10 | 21 | 5,850,224 |
| 2016 | 6 | 12 | 3,032,813 |
| 2017 | 4 | 8 | 2,588,763 |
| 2018 | 2 | 1 | 2,582,712 |
| 2019 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 200,237 |
| 2020 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 200,237 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Lincoln MKZ model years · Lincoln: 24 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2011 Lincoln MKZ have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 21V158000, was reported to NHTSA on 10 Mar 2021 and concerns air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Across all model years the Lincoln MKZ line has 32 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2011 Lincoln MKZ?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 2 actions naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 2011 Lincoln MKZ complain about most?
Air Bags: 59 of 119 component mentions (495.8 per 1,000). Next is steering with 11. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.