When performing any transmission fluid change or topoff involving Motorcraft® Premium ATF, MERCON® V has replaced all versions of Motorcraft® Premium ATF and can be used going forward. Mixing Motorcraft® Premium ATF and MERCON® V in the same transmission is acceptable. After 31-Jan-2024, Motorcraft® Premium ATF will no longer be manufactured and will only be available until inventory depletes.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Lincoln MKZ engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2011 Lincoln MKZ have filed 9 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 90,379 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 MKZ | 3 |
| 2011 MKZ (this page) | 9 |
| 2013 MKZ | 9 |
| 2014 MKZ | 5 |
| 2015 MKZ | 4 |
When does it fail?
Of the 9 engine complaints filed for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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
Among the 9 model years of Lincoln MKZ in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate when reading these PIDs and cannot display quickly enough to validate a concern. The PCM automatically monitors these inputs more accurately and will set diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) when appropriate. Using these PIDs for diagnostics will lead to inaccurate results and improper ETB replacements. If a concern is intermittent and no DTCs are present, refer to historical DTCs and the PC/ED, Section 3 No DTCs Present Index chart for further information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD/LINCOLN: A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0A0A (HIGH VOLTAGE SYSTEM INTERLOCK CIRCUIT) SHOWS WHEN CERTAIN VEHICLES EXPERIENCE RED TRIANGLE ON/STOP SAFELY NOW MESSAGE AND/OR A CONDITION OF NO START.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN: SOME VEHICLES EXHIBIT A COLD WEATHER PHENOMENON WHERE FLUID HAS EXPELLED OUT OF VENT ON REAR DRIVE UNITS (RDU) AND FLUID, ON OCCASION, WOULD BURP OUT.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN: SOME MODEL YEAR VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A MESSAGE WITH A RED TRIANGLE ON AND STOP SAFELY NOW, AND/OR HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE, NO START CONDITION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Car in question: 2011 Lincoln mkz hybrid, 90,379 miles driving on a highway, wrench light comes on, check engine light comes on, no power from the engine when applying a throttle. Due to a vehicle being a hybrid, coast on battery power to a shoulder. Throttle body had to be replaced. There was a recall for a Ford fusion and a mercury milan for the same problem, but no recall for a Lincoln mkz…
Had engine trouble with your 2011 Lincoln MKZ?
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 engine problem on the 2011 Lincoln MKZ?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 9 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 65,000 and 115,000 miles, with the median around 90,379. A quarter of owners report trouble before 65,000; a quarter make it past 115,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/MKZ.
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.