2011 Lincoln MKZ Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 7%of 145 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,690miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the engine of the 2011 Lincoln MKZ, 7% of the 145 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,690 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had heard a wheezing noise in the front end so I took the car to my mechanic. He was unable to find a problem. A week after while driving the car I was driving and as I turned the car completely shut down. Two days later it began to not drive properly I took the car back to the mechanic and said I had a bad sensor but the water pump was going bad. He stated it shouldn't go bad in this newer of a car. My car has been undrivable ever since. …”
NHTSA complaint #10911345, filed 2016-10, 70,578 miles“While driving down the highway with no warning my engine started knocking real bad and then I lost all power due to the engine stopping. Had I been on an interstate with lots of traffic this could have been a very dangerous situation. After a tow and taking the car to a ford dealership. I found out that the water pump failed and allowed coolant to go into the oil pan, causing damage to the bearing on the pistons. After research I found this is a design flaw with fords 3.5 engine and millions of cars are on the road now that will eventually experience this failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11354103, filed 2020-09, 140,000 miles“P0016 code came up.. Lincoln advises repair will be over $5000.00 to fix and I should trade in and get new car. Just made last payment and car only has 66, 000 miles on it. P0016 is part of class action lawsuit. Water pump is leaking on timing chain which will eventually seize engine.”
NHTSA complaint #11183629, filed 2019-03, 65,000 miles“The hybrid mode does not work anymore after 9 years. The vehicle hesitates upon acceleration. It will only run on the internal combustion engine even though the battery is fully charged. Ford knows about the problem as noted in their oasis 8922.”
NHTSA complaint #11311088, filed 2020-02, 120,000 miles“Car in question: 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid, 90,379 miles driving on a highway, wrench light comes on, check engine light comes on, no power from the engine when applying a throttle. Due to a vehicle being a hybrid, coast on battery power to a shoulder. Throttle body had to be replaced. There was a recall for a ford fusion and a mercury milan for the same problem, but no recall for a Lincoln MKZ and no recall for a hybrid. Although they use exactly the same part number for a throttle body.”
NHTSA complaint #11286486, filed 2019-12, 90,379 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10109070Sep 21, 2016The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to…
- 10044899May 30, 2012Ford/lincoln: a diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0a0a (high voltage system interlock circuit) shows when certain vehicles experience red triangle on/stop safely now message and/or…
- 10044230Mar 1, 2012Ford/mercury/lincoln: some vehicles exhibit a cold weather phenomenon where fluid has expelled out of vent on rear drive units (rdu) and fluid, on occasion, would burp out.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 8 | 38% |
| 2018 | 13 | 36% |
| 2017 | 76 | 54% |
| 2016 | 6 | 9% |
| 2015 | 7 | 8% |
| 2014 | 10 | 10% |
| 2013 | 10 | 9% |
| 2012 | 5 | 3% |
| 2011 | 10 | 7% |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 4% |
| 2008 | 5 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
66 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsTires
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology