CarBrief

NHTSA has 149 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Lincoln MKX, NHTSA has 149 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Lincoln MKX, and the electrical system, brakes and engine are the groups named most often[1][2][3][4].[1][2][3][4]. Three recalls apply, and each one has a free dealer remedy[5][6][7].

149owner complaints[1]
3recalls[8]
19–21MPG combined (EPA)[9]

Most reported problems

Owner complaints are unverified reports sent to NHTSA. They are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and one complaint can name more than one part. The top groups by count are below.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Electrical system[2] 41 79,000
Brakes[3] 30 81,500
Engine[4] 26 57,000
Unknown or other[10] 24 103,000
Structure[11] 13 80,780
Power train[12] 12 110,235

Overall, 6 complaints mention a crash, 4 a fire and 3 an injury, and none report a death[1].

Electrical. In a sample of complaints we read for this group, owners describe a driver door ajar warning that stays on when the door is closed. In those texts it keeps the dome lights on, stops the doors from staying locked and, in some, drains the battery[2]. Other owners in the sample describe the SYNC screen going blank, sometimes along with the backup camera and climate controls[2]. The same door ajar problem shows up again in the sample for the structure group[11].

Engine. In the engine sample, owners describe the engine stalling or shutting off while driving, with a restart afterward in some texts[4]. Some say the dealer could not find the cause, and some name the throttle body[4]. Two texts describe coolant getting into the engine and a costly engine replacement[4]. The engine group has 2 complaints that mention a fire[4]. Median mileage at failure is 57,000, the lowest of the larger groups[4].

Brakes. In the brake sample, owners describe the brake booster or power assist failing, with a pedal that goes hard, soft or all the way to the floor[3]. Two texts point to the ABS hydraulic control unit[3]. The brake group has 2 complaints that mention a crash[3].

Other groups. Liftgate complaints appear in the structure sample, where owners describe a gate that will not stay up or opens by itself[11]. Speed control has 5 complaints, 2 of them mentioning a crash[13]. Exterior lighting has 7 complaints, 1 of them mentioning a fire[14].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this model year[8]. All three have a free dealer remedy, so All three have a free dealer remedy[5][6][7], so ask a dealer whether your car was already done..

Fuel economy

EPA rates both versions with a 3.7L 6-cyl engine and an Automatic (S6) on regular gas[9][15].

The EPA cost figures use current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the front-wheel drive version 3 stars for frontal crash and 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 15.9%[16]. The all-wheel drive version also gets 3 stars frontal and 4 stars rollover, with a rollover risk of 14.0%[17].

Engine and size

The EPA entries list a 3.7L 6-cyl engine for both drive types[9][15]. Our data does not include a horsepower figure.

These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications for the MKX 4DR CUV and can differ slightly from US models[18].

Measure Value
Length[18] 187 in
Width[18] 76 in
Height[18] 68 in
Wheelbase[18] 111 in
Curb weight[18] 4,427 lb

How 2011 compares with other years

2007: 298 complaints, 5 recalls20072008: 253 complaints, 6 recalls20082009: 66 complaints, 6 recalls20092010: 111 complaints, 6 recalls20102011: 149 complaints, 3 recalls14920112012: 84 complaints, 1 recalls20122013: 163 complaints, 1 recalls20132014: 35 complaints, 1 recalls20142015: 19 complaints, 0 recalls20152016: 156 complaints, 7 recalls20162017: 52 complaints, 5 recalls20172018: 31 complaints, 5 recalls2018
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each MKX model year. The 2011 is highlighted[8].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20072985
20082536
2009666
20101116
20111493
2012841
20131631
2014351
2015190
20161567
2017525
2018315

With 149 complaints, 2011 sits fifth highest among the 12 model years NHTSA lists for the MKX[8]. Four years have more: 2007 with 298, 2008 with 253, 2013 with 163 and 2016 with 156[8]. The 2009 model year has 66 and 2010 has 111[8]. The 2012 year has 84[8].

On recalls, 2011 has 3[8]. That is fewer than 2007 through 2010, which have 5 or 6 each, and fewer than 2016 through 2018, which have 5 to 7[8]. It is more than 2012, 2013 and 2014 with 1 each, and 2015 with none[8]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat these as rough comparisons within the same model.

Should you buy a used 2011 Lincoln MKX?

The facts point to a few things to check before you buy. Ask a dealer to confirm that the three recalls were handled[5][6][7]. Test the SYNC screen, the door ajar warning and the brakes on a drive, since those areas draw the most complaints[2][3]. Owners in the engine sample describe stalls while driving, so ask for the service history[4].

EPA combined ratings are 21 MPG for front-wheel drive and 19 MPG for all-wheel drive[9][15]. NHTSA gives 3 stars for frontal crash[17][16].[9][15]. The crash ratings are middling, at 3 stars for frontal crash[17][16]. Complaint data cannot tell you how likely any one car is to have a problem, so a pre-purchase inspection is still the best check.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Lincoln MKX?
By count, NHTSA complaints name the electrical system most often with 41, then brakes with 30 and engine with 26[2][3][4]. In a sample of complaint texts, owners describe door ajar warnings and SYNC screen failures, brake booster trouble and engine stalls[2][3][4].
Does the 2011 Lincoln MKX have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls: 11V128 and 10V659 for body control module fire risk and 10V516 for the liftgate lock[5][6][7]. Each has a free dealer remedy[5][6][7].
What is the gas mileage of the 2011 Lincoln MKX?
EPA rates the front-wheel drive at 21 combined MPG and the all-wheel drive at 19 combined MPG[9][15].
How safe is the 2011 Lincoln MKX?
NHTSA gives both versions 3 stars for frontal crash and 4 stars for rollover[17][16].
Is the 2011 MKX a better year than others?
It has 149 complaints, fifth highest of 12 model years, and 3 recalls[8]. Years such as 2009 with 66 complaints and 2014 with 35 have fewer complaints[8].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 149 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Lincoln MKX (6 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 41 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 30 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 26 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. Recall 11V128, filed February 24, 2011: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 10V659, filed December 29, 2010: Structure › Body. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 10V516, filed October 27, 2010: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Hatchback / Liftgate › Lock. NHTSA recall database
  8. Owner complaints and recalls for every Lincoln MKX model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  9. EPA rating for MKX FWD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  10. 24 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 103,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 13 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,780). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 12 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 110,235). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 5 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 7 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for MKX AWD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: frontal 3 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: frontal 3 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MKX 4DR CUV: length 187 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,427 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.