Lincoln MKS, representative photo
Representative model. Photo: Cutlass, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2011 Lincoln MKS recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2011 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns
3
Park-it warnings
0
Complaints
43
Latest campaign
Apr 26, 2016

Recall summary by component3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
ComponentCampaignsLatestCampaign IDs
Air bags1Apr 26, 2016
Steering1Jun 2, 2015
Structure1Jan 28, 2015

Safety recalls3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
0Park-it warnings
0Fixable over the air
Apr 26, 2016Latest campaign
Apr 26, 201616V247000

Air bags: frontal

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 16V247000
What's wrong
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."
Risk
An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
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.
Campaign
NHTSA 16V247000 · Apr 26, 2016
Jun 2, 201515V340000

Steering: electric power assist system

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.

DetailsHide details for campaign 15V340000
What's wrong
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.
Risk
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.
Campaign
NHTSA 15V340000 · Jun 2, 2015
Jan 28, 201515V040000

Structure: body door

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.

DetailsHide details for campaign 15V040000
What's wrong
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.
Risk
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.
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.
Campaign
NHTSA 15V040000 · Jan 28, 2015
To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Lincoln recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2011 Lincoln MKS? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component43

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h
43Complaints filed
3Involving a crash
1Involving a fire
39Injuries reported · 40 deaths
ComponentShareComplaints%CrashesFiresInjuries
Steering2149000
Service brakes512000
Engine491138
Vehicle speed control37200
Unknown or other37000
Electrical system37000
Exterior lighting37000
Structure25001
Fuel/propulsion system25000
Air bags25000
Electronic stability control (ESC)25000
Suspension12000
Back over prevention12000
Forward collision avoidance12000
Latches/locks/linkages12001

5 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

  • Steering

    “What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request?”

    Filed 05/03/2026 · ODI 11735344
  • Steering

    “The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while reversing into a parking space, the power steering warning light illuminated.”

    Filed 12/10/2025 · ODI 11704251
  • Steering

    “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..”

    Filed 09/10/2025 · ODI 11686253

Other Lincoln MKS model years

Other Lincoln models

2011 Lincoln MKS recall questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Lincoln MKS have?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns for the 2011 Lincoln MKS. The most recent, 16V247000 (reported April 26, 2016), concerns air bags. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2011 Lincoln MKS?

Steering is the most-reported component, named in 21 complaints out of 43 filed with NHTSA (49%). Across all complaints, owners reported 3 crashs and 1 fire. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2011 Lincoln MKS?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Lincoln recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Lincoln dealer.

Check a specific Lincoln by VIN

0/17
Free · No signup · US-market vehicles, 1981+

Need the factory options too? See the Lincoln build sheet & window sticker guide.