2011 Lincoln MKZ Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 13%of 145 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,289miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Lincoln MKZ, 13% of the 145 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,289 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The first time it happened was while driving when my wheel locked up and I was unable to turn it at all. It happened again after gas at a gas station, I was stationary but the steering wheel still locked up.”
NHTSA complaint #11271448, filed 2019-10, 131,800 miles“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 the car send a fault code of service power steering and loss of power steering happens immediately. Took the car to the dealership they said they fixed the issue (replaced power steering motor and reprogrammed). Picked up the car and within 16 hours as I was making a turn the same issue happened. The car is currently still at the dealership with no solution to the problem. There seems to be a recall out for 2011 MKZ for this reason but for some reason my car VIN doesn't pull up that recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11257482, filed 2019-09, 133,000 miles“I drive a 2011 Lincoln MKZ and today I had a bit of a problem. A coworker of mine needed to be taken to a hyundai dealership so that she may pick up her vehicle for some servicing that she had done, and during my attempt at parking I lost my power steering. At first I couldn't move the car so I had put my vehicle in park and then I turned it off. I had turned to my coworker and she had noticed my difficulty steering. I had then started my car once again and tried to park but this time I was capable of steering. …”
NHTSA complaint #10641882, filed 2014-10, 39,000 miles“We purchased the vehicle on the test-drive requested that the dealership address the front-end noise. Have taken the vehicle 3 separate times for repair of the front-end noise. After 3rd time at repair by dealer, discovered the 'noise' was the right front strut and ball joint failure. The dealership we purchased vehicle did not consider this a safety issue. You could take the right-front tire and shake from side-to-side with all tires on the ground. We have had to spend over $2000 and have not been able to drive a new car before the 30 tag expired.”
NHTSA complaint #10855088, filed 2016-04, 114,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V340000Jun 2, 2015Ford 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…Covers: Lincoln MKZ 2011–2012, Ford Taurus 2011–2013, Flex 2011–2013 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 10236689May 26, 2023Some 2010-2012 Fusion/Milan and 2011-2012 MKZ vehicles equipped with a 2.5L or 3.0L engine and electronic power assist steering (EPAS), a remanufactured replacement steering gear…
- 10095995Nov 17, 2016Some 2010-2016 epas equipped vehicles may exhibit steering related noises. The workshop manual (wsm) diagnostic procedures have been updated in section 211-02. When diagnosing…
- 10056026Nov 3, 2011Lincoln/ford: steering system senses, half front lower control arms/rearward is experiencing a higher friction condition and causing the instrument cluster stability/traction to…
- 10039111Mar 1, 2011Ford: there may be a steering drift while driving on a flat or uneven road surface. 2010-2011 fusion/milan/mkz. This could be normal.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 14% |
| 2017 | 6 | 4% |
| 2016 | 12 | 19% |
| 2015 | 8 | 10% |
| 2014 | 25 | 26% |
| 2013 | 16 | 15% |
| 2012 | 20 | 14% |
| 2011 | 19 | 13% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
66 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsEngine
10 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 30, 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