Is the 2011 Lincoln MKZ reliable?

The 2011 Lincoln MKZ has 180 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Lincoln MKZ?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (66 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (20 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (19 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Lincoln MKZ?

Yes, there are 7 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, EQUIPMENT, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Contact any Lincoln dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Lincoln MKZ?

The 2011 Lincoln MKZ gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Lincoln MKZ?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ is approximately $1,785/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Lincoln MKZ

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Lincoln MKZ has 180 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 146. The most common issue is air bags problems (37% of all complaints), specifically: 40 m, car when right off road, hit a poll. center to right front damage. air bag did not deploy. i did not have any cuts on face but my head was hurting hard. alot i don't remember after that for days. *tr. There are 7 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 8 fire reports filed.

8 fire reports 21 crash reports 10 injuries

180

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

66 complaints

37%

• 40 M, CAR WHEN RIGHT OFF ROAD, HIT A POLL. CENTER TO RIGHT FRONT DAMAGE. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I DID NOT HAVE ANY CUTS ON FACE BUT MY HEAD WAS HURTING HARD. ALOT I DON'T REMEMBER AFTER THAT FOR DAYS. *TR
• I WAS THE DRIVER; THE ACCIDENT OCCURED DAY;SUNNY AROUND NOON;I WAS IN A LIBRARY PARKING LOT PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE -SLOWLY SUDDENLY , THE CAR LEAPT FORWARD THE AND "SOMETHING" SEEMED TO BE UNDER THE ACCELERATOR- IT LEAPT FORWARD I COULD LT NOT MAKE THE CAR STOP; WHAT STOPPED THE CAR WASAE
• NOT INSPECTED NO PAPERWORK AVAILABLE FOR VEHICLE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 6 crashes

“40 M, CAR WHEN RIGHT OFF ROAD, HIT A POLL. CENTER TO RIGHT FRONT DAMAGE. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I DID NOT HAVE ANY CUTS ON FACE BUT MY HEAD WAS HURTING HARD. ALOT I DON'T REMEMBER AFTER THAT FOR DAYS. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Lincoln MKZ

Based on 103 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 68K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Earlier than typicalmedian 38K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 28K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 43K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 50K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 71K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 80K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (7)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE07/01/2019

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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Lincoln MKZ

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Lincoln MKZ

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,785

Full coverage / month

$149

Liability only / year

$696

vs US avg

+7%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1785

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lincoln MKZ Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Complimentary maintenance for select models; check with your dealer for eligibility.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Lincoln New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Lincoln. If you're buying a used 2011 MKZ, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Lincoln dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 180 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: 40 M, CAR WHEN RIGHT OFF ROAD, HIT A POLL. CENTER TO RIGHT FRONT DAMAGE. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I DID NOT HAVE ANY CUTS ON FACE BUT MY HEAD WAS HURTING HARD. ALOT I DON'T REMEMBER AFTER THAT FOR DAYS. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: AFTER MY WIFE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY SHE LOST ALL OF HER BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE,SHE SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP. SHE MANAGED TO GET IT BACK HOME BY TURNING THE IGNITION ON AND OFF. SHE CALLED AUTONATION FORD AN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR MOST FREQUENTLY WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 60 MPH AND ABOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PROPANE FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MIGHT HAVE FAILED BUT WAS UNAWARE HOW TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 7 recalls have been completed — free at any Lincoln dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)