2011 Lincoln mks. Consumer writes in regards to power steering locking up periodically. *tgw the consumer stated the power steering issue, occurred at start up. The dealer was unable to find a problem. *jb
2011 Lincoln MKS steering problems
moderate 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 21 steering complaints filed for the 2011 Lincoln MKS, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Steering accounts for 49% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
Among the 5 model years of Lincoln MKS in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that while reversing into a parking space, the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was later restarted, and the traction control and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle then experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the steering gear had…
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. The contact's daughter was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, and after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No…
Was driving my 2011 Lincoln MKS (build date 06/07/2010) when the steering froze up and then a message appeared in the center stack indicating a possible steering gear failure. Luckily, I was able to get home and pull it on my driveway with great difficulty. Recall 15S18 starts with build dates of 09/2010. This recall should be extended. Repair quote: $1900 part 6.2 hours labor + Alignment…
Recently, this car started intermittently displaying the "power steering assist fault" code and at the same time the steering would seize up when in motion. This has now happened twice within the last 2 weeks. On investigation, 2011 Lincoln mks vehicles with the 3.5l gtdi engine (my vehicle) were supposed to be covered by recall 15s18 which addresses this exact safety situation. When I called…
While driving my car it instantly lost steering no forewarning lights. It was very difficult to turn or control the car. I took it to Lincoln and they said they can't cover this exact thing these cars have a recall on because my car was past the warranty. They even charged me to look at it because its past warranty. My car is 4,000 miles past coverage soo they're charging me $2800 for a…
Steering is hard to control. Took it to auto repair, gave me codes that match recall codes. Technition said the whole power steering system must be replaced
I was driving and I hear a beeping sound,and my steering just stopped working and made it difficult to control the vehicle in a curve.. Recall Details: 2011–2013 Power Steering Electric Assist Loss •In June 2015, Ford issued Recall #15S18 (NHTSA Campaign 15V340000) for a range of vehicles—including the 2011 Lincoln MKS—due to a potential intermittent electrical connection in the steering gear.…
Power steering went out and had power steering assist fault error. Incident occurred after backing out of driveway and putting the car into drive. *tr
Had steering trouble with your 2011 Lincoln MKS?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2011 Lincoln MKS?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 21 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 46,600 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 64,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 46,600; a quarter make it past 110,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Lincoln/MKS.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.