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Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

40 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
2

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 1software faults 1
A recent report: I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN JAN 2011. INTERMITTENTLY, THE ENTIRE SOUND SYSTEM STOPS WORKING (RADIO, CD PLAYER, AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM). THIS MEANS THAT IF, THE DRIVER HAS ENGAGED THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM…
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I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN JAN 2011. INTERMITTENTLY, THE ENTIRE SOUND SYSTEM STOPS WORKING (RADIO, CD PLAYER, AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM). THIS MEANS THAT IF, THE DRIVER HAS ENGAGED THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM RELYING ON THE VOICE INSTRUCTIONS WHICH SUDDENLY DO NOT WORK, HE/SHE MUST THEN LOOK AT THE SMALL SCREEN FOR UPCOMING TURNS AND OTHER INFORMATION MORE FREQUENTLY THAN WHEN THE VOICE INSTRUCTIONS ARE WORKING. IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT TAKING ONES EYES OFF THE ROAD TO EXAMINE THE SCREEN INFORMATION IS UNSAFE. THE DEALER (ED HOWARD LINCOLN IN SARASOTA FL) HAS REPLACED THE "AUDIO CONTROL MODULE" TWICE: IN NOV 2014 AND IN DEC 2017. THIS LAST REPAIR ORDER MENTIONS "COMPUTER TESTS FOR CODE, U1214".

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11055938 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
4

Most reports here involve loss of braking.

loss of braking 4
A recent report: The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the brake service warning light illuminated. The contact used excessive force on the brake pedal and the…
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The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the brake service warning light illuminated. The contact used excessive force on the brake pedal and the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 168,258.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11669507 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
12

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

loss of steering 12
A recent report: The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly…
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The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the steering rack. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11679126 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Minor
17

Most reports here involve airbags deploying unexpectedly.

airbags deploying unexpectedly 1
A recent report: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V001000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V001000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11179831 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
4

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 4
A recent report: EARLY THIS SUMMER THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR OPEN/LOCK MECHANISM BROKE. THE DOOR CAN NOT BE LOCKED. IT CAN BE OPENED FROM INSIDE BUT WITH MORE FORCE THAN USUAL. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE VERY SAME PROBLEM…
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EARLY THIS SUMMER THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR OPEN/LOCK MECHANISM BROKE. THE DOOR CAN NOT BE LOCKED. IT CAN BE OPENED FROM INSIDE BUT WITH MORE FORCE THAN USUAL. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE VERY SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WTH THE DRIVER SIDE, FRONT, MECHANISM. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW AND NOT A COINCIDENCE.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11138803 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: WHY IS THIS RECALL REPAIR TAKING SO LONG

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11074907 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 40 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2014 and 2025, roughly 4 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2011 has 40 complaints on file, fewer than the 2012 (59). Of the 6 model years of the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid we cover, the 2012 has the most (59). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.