2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Lincoln › MKZ Hybrid › 2011
These records cover every 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
40 complaints1 involved a crash
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Steering
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…
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.
- Service brakes, hydraulic
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the brake service warning light illuminated. The contact used excessive force on the brake pedal and the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 168,258.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Abs warning light
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went down to the floorboard and the stopping distance was extended. The "Check Braking System" and "Service Advancetrac" messages were displayed. The ABS, brakes, and…
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went down to the floorboard and the stopping distance was extended. The "Check Braking System" and "Service Advancetrac" messages were displayed. The ABS, brakes, and the electronic stability control warning lights were illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and engaged the electronic parking brake. The contact stated that when she turned off and restarted the vehicle, the warning lights turned off and the vehicle operated as needed. The contact stated that the failure recurred on two separate occasions; however, on the last occasion, the warning lights remained illuminated upon restarting the vehicle, and the brake failure persisted. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. The contact stated the ABS module failed, the older model years were under the recall but the newer cars were not included in this recall. The contact is requesting reimbursement for repairs made to this vehicle.
- Service brakes, air › Antilock › Abs warning light · Service brakes, hydraulic
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the brakes failed to operate upon depression of the brake pedal with several unknown warning lights flashing on the instrument panel. The contact immediately applied the parking brake and drifted the…
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the brakes failed to operate upon depression of the brake pedal with several unknown warning lights flashing on the instrument panel. The contact immediately applied the parking brake and drifted the vehicle off to the roadway. The contact restarted the vehicle three times and the warning lights reappeared on the instrument panel. The contact drove the vehicle home and later had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer inspected the vehicle and informed him that the ABS hydraulic control unit was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 69,500. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired.
- Steering
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the power steering failure message was displayed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number…
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the power steering failure message was displayed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V34000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not repaired under the recall, and that the recall had expired. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.
- Steering
TL* the contact owns a 2011 lincoln MKZ hybrid. While the contact entered the driveway at approximately 3 mph, the steering seized and the power steering assist and traction control warning indicators illuminated. The contact managed to drive the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that…
TL* the contact owns a 2011 lincoln MKZ hybrid. While the contact entered the driveway at approximately 3 mph, the steering seized and the power steering assist and traction control warning indicators illuminated. The contact managed to drive the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering assist failed and needed to be replaced. Griffin phillis ford (pa-257, seneca, pa 16346, (814) 676-9295) reprogrammed the steering three additional times, but the same failure recurred multiple times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with case number: 24287519. The contact mentioned nhtsa campaign number: 15v340000 (steering). The failure mileage was approximately 74,700.
- Steering
Got in my car put it in reverse and lost power steering. Ford said only some MKZ hybirds are recalled but mine isn't on the list. evidently from what I read all of them should be recalled. My car only has 76,000 miles on it some people was a lot less. I was lucky I wasn't driving at the time.…
Got in my car put it in reverse and lost power steering. Ford said only some MKZ hybirds are recalled but mine isn't on the list. evidently from what I read all of them should be recalled. My car only has 76,000 miles on it some people was a lot less. I was lucky I wasn't driving at the time. We live on a fixed income and can't afford the cost to get it fixed at the dealership who will charge a fortune. I bought this car a month ago used and now am out the money I paid for it. I paid cash.
- Air bags
TL* the contact owns a 2011 lincoln MKZ hybrid. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v001000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. An unknown dealer was…
TL* the contact owns a 2011 lincoln MKZ hybrid. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v001000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. An unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Air bags
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 lincoln MKZ hybrid. The contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 16v384000 (air bags) and stated that the manufacturer failed to repair the vehicle within a reasonable amount of time. Nick mayer ford (6200 mayfield rd, mayfield, oh…
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 lincoln MKZ hybrid. The contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 16v384000 (air bags) and stated that the manufacturer failed to repair the vehicle within a reasonable amount of time. Nick mayer ford (6200 mayfield rd, mayfield, oh 44124) was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Air bags · Exterior lighting · Steering
Takata recall. My defective airbags have never been remedied. Offer of temporary rental car never done. Dealership sas they don't have any available to them. I can't drive car. What am I supposed to do? Need help.
- Air bags
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 lincoln MKZ hybrid. The contact stated that nhtsa campaign number: 16v384000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The contact received the recall notice in 2017. The dealer (vista ford woodland hills, 21501 ventura blvd, woodland…
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 lincoln MKZ hybrid. The contact stated that nhtsa campaign number: 16v384000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The contact received the recall notice in 2017. The dealer (vista ford woodland hills, 21501 ventura blvd, woodland hills, ca 91364) stated that the parts were unavailable for the repair. The manufacturer was also contacted and confirmed that the parts were unavailable. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Air bags
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 lincoln MKZ hybrid. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v384000 (air bags), which indicated that the part was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Unknown or other
Early this summer the front passenger door open/lock mechanism broke. the door can not be locked. It can be opened from inside but with more force than usual. A few months later the very same problem occurred wth the driver side, front, mechanism. this seems to be a design flaw and not a coincidence.
- Steering
The problem IS, every time they replaced the part the new part was no good either and broke back down taking out our power steering out time and time again and 'increasing the risk of accident' like the recall letter to ford and lincoln dealers sent by michael berardi said it would. I have a…
The problem IS, every time they replaced the part the new part was no good either and broke back down taking out our power steering out time and time again and 'increasing the risk of accident' like the recall letter to ford and lincoln dealers sent by michael berardi said it would. I have a copy. the response as can be seen enclosed revisited day one when we called lincoln about the recall, and they told us it wasn't under recall. you don't know your own recall and your calling it a warranty. part one of the recall reprograms the power steering control module if it IS throwing a code. Section 2 then kicks in, and if in the next 100,000 miles the module goes wrong it gets replaced at your cost for parts, labor, etc. yet, not only was I told no go pay for it myself the first time, now after the 6TH breakdown and my plea for help they answer as cluelessly as the first. they are also addressing a recall as a warranty. Nor could you even fill in my vehicle type where that went when you had all the info it's a lincoln MKZ hybrid
- Steering
We took it in for the power steering recall we discovered when we lost all power steering and almost crashed. the dealership IS fixing it for the 5TH time in 6 weeks and it won't fix. we keep dangerously loosing power steering. were ministers and serve at our own costs we can't afford to be in…
We took it in for the power steering recall we discovered when we lost all power steering and almost crashed. the dealership IS fixing it for the 5TH time in 6 weeks and it won't fix. we keep dangerously loosing power steering. were ministers and serve at our own costs we can't afford to be in danger and not be able to trust our car. they won't stop trying to fix what clearly they can't fix. we feel they should replace the vehichle. our power steering has now gone out while driving 5 times. it's dangerous and we feel lincoln who initially said it wasn't on recall when we contacted them IS being irresponsible by not protecting us by taking back their defective and dangerous vehichle that we are still making payments on. it only has 62,000 miles on it there should be no reason for this
- Steering · Suspension
TL* the contact owns a 2011 lincoln MKZ hybrid. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver while the vehicle was in operation. The dealer (ganley lincoln, 6930 pearl rd, middleburg heights, oh 44130, (440) 845-6000) replaced the electronic power steering unit. Two…
TL* the contact owns a 2011 lincoln MKZ hybrid. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver while the vehicle was in operation. The dealer (ganley lincoln, 6930 pearl rd, middleburg heights, oh 44130, (440) 845-6000) replaced the electronic power steering unit. Two months later, the front suspension assemblies failed and the contact continued to hear an abnormal noise. The manufacturer issued nhtsa campaign number: 15v340000 (steering), but the vehicle was not included in the recall. Three steering tsbs and one suspension tsb were issued, but no recalls for the suspension. The manufacturer provided no remedy other than suggesting that the dealer replace the part. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. *Ln
- Air bags
Safety recall notice 16s26 / nhtsa recall 16v-384 - dated july 2016 or almost two years ago at which time notified not safe for anyone to sit in passenger seat due to possible deployment of that air bag which could cause serious injury or even death. We need to use the passenger seat. any idea when this will be remedied?
- Air bags
Takata recall. I was notified 22 months ago about the passenger air bag. lincoln has done nothing and continues to delay replacing the airbag. meanwhile, honda and toyota have helped their customers. How can they get by with this? I think they should be required to make the recalls before selling new cars.
- Air bags
Why IS this recall repair taking so long
- Unknown or other
I purchased this car new in jan 2011. Intermittently, the entire sound system stops working (radio, cd player, and navigation system). This means that if, the driver has engaged the navigation system relying on the voice instructions which suddenly do not work, he/she must then look at the small…
I purchased this car new in jan 2011. Intermittently, the entire sound system stops working (radio, cd player, and navigation system). This means that if, the driver has engaged the navigation system relying on the voice instructions which suddenly do not work, he/she must then look at the small screen for upcoming turns and other information more frequently than when the voice instructions are working. It goes without saying that taking ones eyes off the road to examine the screen information IS unsafe. The dealer (ed howard lincoln in sarasota fl) has replaced the "audio control module" twice: in nov 2014 and in dec 2017. This last repair order mentions "computer tests for code, u1214".
- Unknown or other
The passenger side door could not be opened from the inside. only the outside door handle could open it successfully. the dealer has ordered parts for a repair. he indicated that there IS no recall on this issue, although I recall a notification about door problems. several years ago the left…
The passenger side door could not be opened from the inside. only the outside door handle could open it successfully. the dealer has ordered parts for a repair. he indicated that there IS no recall on this issue, although I recall a notification about door problems. several years ago the left driver's side door had the same problem and required a dealer fix. this apparent defect in door design poses a potentially serious safety risk if an occupant needs to exit the vehicle in an emergency. it seems highly unlikely that both doors would malfunction (at different times) if there was not some inherent design defect. in both instances the inability to exit the vehicle via the usual inside door mechanism occurred when the vehicle was parked
- Air bags
Takata recall. when contacted after 6 months of waiting, ford dealer said takata had declared bankruptcy and they weren't fixing them until that was finished.
- Air bags
Takata recall. my car was recalled for the passenger air bag 18 months ago and nothing has been done. also, I called the 888 424-9153 number to file a lack of service complaint. I was put on hold for 25 minutes and then was disconnected.
- Air bags
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 lincoln MKZ hybrid. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v384000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.…
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 lincoln MKZ hybrid. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v384000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer future ford lincoln of concord (2285 diamond blvd, concord, ca 94520) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The contact was referred to the manufacturer at 800-521-4140. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
- Air bags
TL* the contact owns a 2011 lincoln MKZ hybrid. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v384000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Grape vine ford…
TL* the contact owns a 2011 lincoln MKZ hybrid. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v384000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Grape vine ford lincoln of grape vine, texas was made aware of the recall and stated that the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The vin was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for…
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
- Floor mat interference with accelerator
On May 27, 2014, Ford Motor Company submitted recall 14E-028 (Ford recall #14S07) to correct a safety-related problem with certain driver's side Ford optional all-weather floor mats sold for use in model year 2006 through 2011 model year Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at…
On May 27, 2014, Ford Motor Company submitted recall 14E-028 (Ford recall #14S07) to correct a safety-related problem with certain driver's side Ford optional all-weather floor mats sold for use in model year 2006 through 2011 model year Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant (HAP) from November 9, 2007, to October 31 ,2010.NHTSA testing determined that the original accessory all-weather mat with a single retention clip (Figure 1), may interfere with accelerator pedal return to idle with the mat retained by the clip and rotated clockwise.Both the single- and double-clip (Figure 2) all-weather floor mats may interfere with the accelerator pedal return to idle when the mats are not secured by the retention clip(s).Testing showed that this can occur if the mats are moved forward from the clipped position approximately two inches into a position in which the rear edge of the mats will abut the retention clip(s) when installed singly and align with the clip(s) when stacked on another floor mat.The pedal interference incidents reviewed by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) include 1 crash and 9 incidents with allegations of brake friction materials smoking and/or requiring repair for heat related damage.The crash incident occurred after the parking brake was applied at speed, resulting in loss-of-control vehicle yaw event caused by lock-up of the rear tires.The spin-out resulted in a side impact collision with an oncoming vehicle in an opposing lane of traffic. For the 29 incidents with sufficient information available to make an assessment; 23 (79%) were controlled by the driver either shifting to neutral, turning the engine off, or both; 4 (14%) were ended by the driver either kicking the pedal free (2) or pulling the mat away from the pedal (2); and 2 (7%) were ended by the pedal freeing itself from the mat with no apparent driver action.None of the drivers who reacted to the incident by shifting to neutral or turning the engine off reported any difficulties with either action.The subject mats were sold by Ford and Lincoln dealers directly to customers as an optional accessory equipment item or, beginning in November 2007, the mats were also available as a factory installed accessory if ordered with a new vehicle.Ford estimates that approximately 82,579 affected driver's side all weather floor mats were sold worldwide; either over the counter through Ford dealerships or as original equipment.Owners that purchased the subject all-weather floor mats as a factory installed accessory with their new vehicle will be notified to return their all weather floor mats to their Ford or Lincoln Dealership in exchange for replacement mats.Owners of all other potentially affected vehicles will be notified that, if they have an affected Ford driver's side all weather floor mat, they should return their mats to the dealership in exchange for replacement mats.The VOQs associated with the closing of this investigation are: 10327597, 10332233, 10334211, 10335336, 10339330, 10348772 (and duplicate 10342572), 10372674, 10379562, 10415911, 10426255, 10434107, 10521053, 10554966.This investigation is hereby closed.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10222465Certain 2010 2012 Model Year Fusion / MKZ / Milan Hybrid Vehicles Hybrid Battery Reduced Electric Vehicle Operation BECM and PCM Software Update In all the affected vehicles, outdated software may result in reduced EV-only mode performance earlier in the life of the vehicle than intended.
- 10209374Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection: Ford Motor Company has determined that some vehicles claimed by dealers as repaired under Takata Airbag Safety Recalls 15S21, 17S42, 18S02, 19S01, and 21S12 may not have received the claimed repairs. The propellant in certain Takata airbag inflators can experience an alteration over time with exposure to certain climate conditions. A combination of time, high temperature fluctuations, and humidity contribute to the degradation of the propellant in the inflators. This degradation can cause the propellant to burn too quickly, creating high pressure inside the inflator, and in extreme cases causing the inflator to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment. A ruptured inflator can send inflator parts toward vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Additional information regarding Takata recalls can be found at www.nhtsa.gov and www.safercar.gov.
- 10174404Some 2010-2012 Fusion hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), 2010-2011 Milan HEV and 2011-2012 MKZ HEV vehicles may experience reduced electric vehicle operation and increased gasoline engine operation around 10 years of vehicle age and beyond. This may be due to software in the battery energy control module (BECM) and the powertrain control module (PCM). To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to reprogram the BECM and PCM.
- 10167224Some 2010-2012 Fusion hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), 2010-2011 Milan HEV and 2011-2012 MKZ HEV vehicles may experience reduced electric vehicle operation and increased gasoline engine operation. Do not attempt repairs at this time. Engineering is investigating, monitor OASIS for updates.
- 10058453Ford/lincoln: when flat towing vehicle, battery will drain, due to manual instruction of key remaining in accessory position. Model 2010-13 fusion, 2010-11 milan, 2011-12 MKZ.
- 10057834Ford: no service action IS recommended for this condition. Please use at your discretion. Various 2010-2015 vehicles may experience a turbulence noise, similar to an helicopter noise, at highway speeds when the rear door window(s) or sunroof are open.
- 10055314Fusion hybrid, lincoln MKZ, mercury milan 2010-2011 may exhibit wrench light on with no driveability concerns, no diagnostic trouble code.
Every Lincoln MKZ Hybrid model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.