2011 Lincoln MKX Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around brake pedal travel and booster problems, door ajar warnings that keep interior lights on and prevent locking, and an engine that occasionally shuts off or loses power while driving. Many reports come in between roughly 50,000 and 130,000 miles, and several describe symptoms that appear intermittently before becoming frequent.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake pedal sinks to the floor / weak power assist

   • 31 complaints (21%)
   • median 106,529 mi at 9.8 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2025

   Owners describe the brake pedal going all the way to the floorboard, sometimes on start-up and sometimes while driving, with longer stopping distances or the vehicle not slowing as expected. Several say a dealer or independent shop diagnosed the brake booster, and some report the symptom returning after a booster replacement. Others describe the ABS hydraulic control unit or ABS module as the suspected source, and a few note the pedal felt soft after brake pads and rotors were replaced. Reported from around 50,000 to 190,000 miles, with many between 60,000 and 110,000 miles, and often described as intermittent.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the brake booster has been replaced and under what program, and have the pedal feel checked on a test drive, including a firm hold at a stop. A service bulletin describes a small tear in the booster diaphragm producing a hissing noise and a spongy pedal.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving down a freeway the brake booster went out again after it had been replaced. When I tried to brake, the pedal went down to the floor without bringing the vehicle to a stop or even slowing it down. This nearly caused an accident. We called the dealership and they said since it had been replaced already it wasnt under warranty anymore.”

   NHTSA complaint #11280923, filed 2019-11, 127,602 miles

   “A valve sticks in the hydraulic control unit of the anti lock brake system when it is activated when heavy braking that created a very soft brake pedal when braking because brake fluid is being diverted thru the ABS system when it shouldn't be. I noticed there was a safety recall on ford, Lincoln's up to a 2010 model. There needs to be a recall on my model vehicle also.”

   NHTSA complaint #11349995, filed 2020-08, 102,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine stalls or loses power while driving

   • 28 complaints (19%)
   • median 57,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $5,000 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2011–2024

   Complaints describe the engine shutting off without warning at speed or at low speed, sometimes with a wrench light and a loss of power steering and brakes, then restarting after a pause. Several owners mention the dealer finding no fault or updating the computer module, and some connect it to the electronic throttle body or a fuel fill inlet message. Others report coolant entering the engine, or oil and coolant mixing, followed by engine replacement. Spread from about 500 to 112,000 miles, with several reports between 17,000 and 70,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records showing whether any computer or throttle body updates were performed and whether coolant or oil leaks were addressed. A bulletin notes revised diagnostic procedures for electronic throttle bodies.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving on a 35 miles/per hour zone without any warning I heard the car making clicking noise and completely shut down. I had someone checked it for me. My coolant was going into my engine. I got it towed to dealer the engine has to be replaced for almost $10,000.00. I had the car service 2 months ago at the dealer and I still over 3,000.00 miles until my next service.”

   NHTSA complaint #11055435, filed 2017-12, 103,000 miles

   “As I was going to pull out of a parallel parking spot, the car immediately stalled and lost all power while in drive. I placed the car in park and attempted to turn the car back on. The car turned back on then as I was about to leave the parking spot again it shut off immediately as I pressed the acceleration. This is very dangerous and left me out in the middle of the street with on coming traffic.”

   NHTSA complaint #10735445, filed 2015-07, 26,435 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Door ajar warning with doors closed

   • 24 complaints (16%)
   • median 97,300 mi at 6.6 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2021

   Owners report the door ajar message and warning lamp staying on with the doors shut, most often on the driver or passenger front door. Complaints describe the interior lights staying on while driving, the doors refusing to lock from the switches, and the alarm sounding at night, with the battery draining as a result. Some say the latch was replaced and the problem came back, and others were told the repair was no longer covered. Reported from about 10,000 to 129,000 miles, often appearing gradually and then becoming constant.

   6 related service bulletins

   What to check: With the doors closed and the key on, check that no door ajar message appears, that the dome lights go out, and that the locks hold. A customer satisfaction program listed in the bulletins covers extended coverage on the left front door latch for some of these vehicles.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Signal appears all the time saying driver door ajar and now the panic alarm goes off on its own multiple times day and night. Key is in house when alarm goes off. Received recall notice, but I am over mileage by 9,000. Portsmouth ford in nh who I bought it from wont do the recall work.”

   NHTSA complaint #11316518, filed 2020-03, 129,000 miles

   “Vehicle registers door adjar constantly. Causes dome lights to stay on even while driving, can't lock door, and battery goes dead. This is an issue! I saw there was an investigation but apparently nothing has been resolved. The problem started gradually and progressed to always. One time after the battery died I had a friend jump it and the cables started on fire! Unsure if this is related but the 12volt plug in the dash stopped working and the heater AC HVAC also went out previous to this. What a pain...”

   NHTSA complaint #11060923, filed 2018-01, 100,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Rear camera or touch screen goes blank

   • 16 complaints (11%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2011–2025

   Owners report the rearview camera showing a black or blank image in reverse, and some describe the center touch screen going dark so that phone, audio, temperature and navigation screens cannot be reached. Complaints note the dealer quoting repairs and the vehicle being out of warranty. Reported from about 50,000 to 160,000 miles.

   What to check: Shift into reverse during the test drive and confirm the image appears, and cycle through the touch screen menus to check that it responds. Ask whether the display or camera has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My backup camera has stopped working and turned black just like other Lincoln models that are being recalled and I believe my car should be included in the recal... Also my transmission leaks fluid just like other Lincoln's that are being recalled for the same issue, I feel like mine should also be included in that recall as well”

   NHTSA complaint #11362732, filed 2020-10, 110,235 miles

   “The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse(R), the rearview camera image failed to display as intended. The contact stated that an unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, and the contact was informed to contact the local dealer for assistance. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11672001, filed 2025-07, 160,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Lights staying on and power drain

   • 27 complaints (18%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 6.8 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2026

   Several complaints describe turn signals, parking lights or interior lighting staying lit with the vehicle off, or the battery going dead and the alarm sounding on its own. Owners mention dealers replacing bulbs and housings repeatedly, and some reference the body control module and related recall campaigns for their suspicion about an internal short. Reported between roughly 32,000 and 150,000 miles.

   Recall 10V659000Recall 11V1280001 related service bulletin

   What to check: After the vehicle sits with the key off, check that all exterior and interior lights are out and that the battery holds a charge. Ask whether the body control module recalls were completed for this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2011 Lincoln MKX electrical system software recall Lincoln issued a recall (10v659000) NHTSA campaign #11v128000 which required replacement of affected bcms may have the potential for an internal short. If an electrical short develops, an overheating condition may occur which could result in a vehicle fire. Our Lincoln started to develop issues only a few weeks after purchase. The turn signal would repeatedly burn out. The dealership we purchased from replaced the bulb & housing several times with no permanent fix. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11055288, filed 2017-12, 45,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while the vehicle was turned off, the driver’s side turn signal and parking lights remained illuminated with the other lights in the vehicle being inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V659000 (Structure) however, the Vin was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11422315, filed 2021-06, 111,000 miles

Buying note. Brake pedal and booster behavior is the item most often described in the sampled complaints, so budget for a brake inspection and ask for any booster-related repair history. Also confirm the door ajar, lighting, and rear camera functions work, and check that open recall campaigns were completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.