This page covers 2 recalls, 19 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2011 Lincoln Mkt.
18–19 mpg combined
12.4–13.1 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
Steering dominates the complaint picture for the 2011 Lincoln MKT, accounting for the majority of what owners report. The core issue is electric power steering assist failure, owners describe the steering going heavy or completely unresponsive, often at startup, with a "power steering assist fault" message appearing on the instrument panel. Some owners find that shutting the engine off and restarting it temporarily restores assist, with the problem recurring periodically. A smaller number of complaints involve wheels, though those reports don't cluster around a clear repeating symptom. One owner reports a turbocharged engine smoking, traced to a failed turbocharger. With most steering complaints surfacing at higher mileage, the loss-of-assist condition at startup, where the car is barely steerable until a restart, is the most consistent thread running through this complaint set.
19
Total Complaints
By System
The 2011 Lincoln MKT has 2 recalls, both involving the electric power steering system, which can lose assist without warning and require significantly more physical effort to steer, raising the risk of a crash at lower speeds.
The power steering concern affects certain vehicles equipped with the 3.5L turbocharged engine. When assist cuts out, the steering wheel does not lock up, but the sudden increase in effort needed to turn the wheel can catch a driver off guard, particularly in parking lots, intersections, or low-speed maneuvers where steering input is most frequent.
At a glance
What can fail
The electric power steering assist system may shut down due to a steering motor sensor fault, potentially eliminating power steering.
What the fix does
Dealers will check the steering control module for fault codes. If found, the steering gear is replaced. If none are found, the steering control module software is updated.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electric power steering system may lose assist suddenly without warning, making steering harder to control, especially at low speeds, increasing crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the steering system's computer with updated software to maintain steering function and alert you if a fault occurs.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
