LINCOLN MKX · model year

2011 LINCOLN MKX

188 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011LINCOLNMKX carries 188 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 5 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with 3/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 MKX is electrical system with 40 filings, followed by unknown or other (24) and engine (23). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2011 MKX, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

188
Complaints
9
Crashes
5
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

188 filings

Crashes Reported

9 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: 3/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM40
UNKNOWN OR OTHER24
ENGINE23
SERVICE BRAKES17
STRUCTURE:BODY11
POWER TRAIN10
EXTERIOR LIGHTING7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
STEERING4
VISIBILITY/WIPER4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC4
SEAT BELTS3
WHEELS2
STRUCTURE2

Recalls (3)

10V65900029/12/2010

STRUCTURE:BODY

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, EDGE AND LINCOLN MKX VEHICLES. DURING A SIX-DAY PRODUCTION PERIOD, THE SUPPLIER OF THE BODY CONTROL MODULE MANUFACTURED MODULES THAT MAY HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INTERNAL SHORT.

10V51600027/10/2010

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 EDGE AND LINCOLN MKX VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 8, 2010. THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH INCORRECTLY CONFIGURED ELECTRONIC MODULE SETTINGS THAT DISABLE THE LOCKING FUNCTION OF THE LIFTGATE. ACCORDINGLY, THE VEHICLES FAIL TO C

11V12800024/02/2011

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 FORD F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, EDGE, AND LINCOLN MKX TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 25, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 20, 2010. THESE VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED USING INTEGRATED DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (IDS) THAT HAD A CUSTOM SOFTWARE ROUTINE TO READ THE SUSPECT

Recent Complaints

20251217SERVICE BRAKES

Brake pedal went to the floor couldnt stop nearly crashed

20251023VISIBILITY/WIPER

My backup rearview camera blacked out one day. Then it came back upside down. Then one day it went back to a right-side up view. But then it is upside down again. It is EXTREMELY difficult to see anything now when I back up with the view being upside down. There is a recall 25S42 from April 2025 for something similar, but it includes a 2015 Lincoln MKC but NOT the 2011 Lincoln MKX. They need to add the 2011 Lincoln MKX to the recall. I'm a Lincoln fan and i really don't like to see them including some cars and some don't. it has been the same issue for all of them and that will increase the possibility of accident

20250928CrashSERVICE BRAKES

I went to put Brakes on and didn't have any Brakes which created an accident. (9/27/25)

20250708BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse(R), the rearview camera image failed to display as intended. The contact stated that an unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, and the contact was informed to contact the local dealer for assistance. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V598000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN nor the model vehicle was included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

20250618SEAT BELTS

Rear camera quits working or it works only upside down. The seatbelts are deteriorating.

20250618UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Rear camera quits working or it works only upside down. The seatbelts are deteriorating.

20250501VISIBILITY/WIPER

My backup rearview camera blacked out one day. Then it came back upside down. Then one day it went back to a right-side up view. But then it is upside down again. It is EXTREMELY difficult to see anything now when I back up with the view being upside down. I talked to a mechanic and they said they see this issue frequently. There is a recall 25S42 from April 2025 for something similar but it includes a 2015 Lincoln MKC but not the 2011 Lincoln MKX. They need to add the 2011 Lincoln MKX to the recall.

20250227ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Body Control Module has developed an internal short that is causing safety systems not to work. It is also affecting the heating/ air conditioning, tire pressure monitoring system. This was recalled previously but the manufacturer wont do anything about it. I have had the vehicle at 2 separate dealerships who say the same thing, that the part is not available and can't be repaired. I called Ford directly and they are refusing to do anything about it since the old recall was performed but clearly never fixed the issue.

20250227LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

Body Control Module has developed an internal short that is causing safety systems not to work. It is also affecting the heating/ air conditioning, tire pressure monitoring system. This was recalled previously but the manufacturer wont do anything about it. I have had the vehicle at 2 separate dealerships who say the same thing, that the part is not available and can't be repaired. I called Ford directly and they are refusing to do anything about it since the old recall was performed but clearly never fixed the issue.

20250227BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING

Body Control Module has developed an internal short that is causing safety systems not to work. It is also affecting the heating/ air conditioning, tire pressure monitoring system. This was recalled previously but the manufacturer wont do anything about it. I have had the vehicle at 2 separate dealerships who say the same thing, that the part is not available and can't be repaired. I called Ford directly and they are refusing to do anything about it since the old recall was performed but clearly never fixed the issue.

20241206SERVICE BRAKES

Twice while at a stop light with my foot on the brakes because of an incline, the engine sped up like it was grasping for air and the engine shut down. It started back each time, but the second time, my engine light came on. I called AAA since I am a member and went there for the repair. They diagnosed it as a brake booster problem and printed a copy of the Ford document sent to all US Ford and Lincoln Dealers regarding Customer Satisfaction Program 13N02, supplements 2 & 3. AAA suggested I take it to a Ford/Lincoln dealer and have the repair made under the recall. However, when I contacted Ford/Lincoln, they declined to even look at my car and said the recall was VIN specific and my car was not listed. Interestingly at the dealer and when I called and talked to several people at Ford and then Lincoln, they all asked my mileage. My mileage is 134,000, and 13N02 says it is effective up to 150,000 miles. The Ford document does not mention being VIN specific and my car is listed, a 2011

20241001POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, upon shifting the gear shifter into drive, the vehicle started reversing independently. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle five times before the vehicle started operating as intended. The vehicle was then driven to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer nor independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 192,000.

Mileage: 192,000

20241001SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that while attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

20240624SERVICE BRAKES

The brakes suddenly became very difficult to depress to make the vehicle come to a stop. Emergency repair was necessary, as driving to the dealer was unsafe. Brake booster was filled with fluid. The car then had to be towed to Dealer, where repair required replacement of Brake Booster, Master cylinder, and Booster vacuum hoses. There are recalls for this same make, model and year. Though my VIN does not come up in those vehicles covered by the recall, it is the EXACT same problem.

20240529ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My dash touchscreen display became inoperable, no radio, no camera, no NOTHING My wiper blades come on by themselves and won't allow me to shut them off. The headlights remain on in the auto position... they won't shut off. Warning Lights on the dash comes on at times (lights up with lots of warnings) I'm no auto professional, but I think my issues are linked. I also, see that years ago there was a body control module recall that mentioned electrical shorts that could possibly cause a vehicle fire. OMG, I believe there's an electrical problem and I am hoping that the recall would cover these issues.

20240529VISIBILITY/WIPER

My dash touchscreen display became inoperable, no radio, no camera, no NOTHING My wiper blades come on by themselves and won't allow me to shut them off. The headlights remain on in the auto position... they won't shut off. Warning Lights on the dash comes on at times (lights up with lots of warnings) I'm no auto professional, but I think my issues are linked. I also, see that years ago there was a body control module recall that mentioned electrical shorts that could possibly cause a vehicle fire. OMG, I believe there's an electrical problem and I am hoping that the recall would cover these issues.

20240414STRUCTURE:BODY

Left front drivers door flies open while driving. Door has already been repaired twice by dealers and problem keeps returning.

20240414EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Left front drivers door flies open while driving. Door has already been repaired twice by dealers and problem keeps returning.

20240414ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Left front drivers door flies open while driving. Door has already been repaired twice by dealers and problem keeps returning.

20240405SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated while coming to a stop, the brake pedal became stiff while being depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,658.

Mileage: 104,658

Compare 2011LINCOLNMKX to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 LINCOLN MKX have?
The 2011 LINCOLN MKX has 188 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 5 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 LINCOLN MKX?
The 2011 LINCOLN MKX received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of 3/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 LINCOLN MKX?
Yes, the 2011 LINCOLN MKX has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is STRUCTURE:BODY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 LINCOLN MKX?
The most-complained component for the 2011 LINCOLN MKX is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 40 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and ENGINE.
Is the 2011 LINCOLN MKX safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2011 LINCOLN MKX has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.