Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
2011GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual
36 serious complaints of 43, the most about steering (21) and brakes (4); 1.2× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2011 vehicles. 3 recalls.
What owners report
“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.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Dec 2025
“The steering system locks up and loses power assist,and the brakes and traction control sys also malfunction, and several failure lights all come on ,as I was making a left turn in front of a police car the steering locked up and I almost hit the police car,the vehicle isn't driveable,the policeman advised me not to drive the car,he verified the steering…”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the brakes, Apr 2024
43 owner complaints · 3 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 19–20 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2011 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. NHTSA doesn't publish sales, so only big differences count. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 355 hp; 3.7L 6-cyl, 275 hp · Drive: AWD, FWD
2011 MKS trims
| EcoBoost |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Lincoln reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Lincoln aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 365 hp 3.7L 6-cyl, 305 hp | AWD, FWD | 19–20 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 3 | Electrical system (3) | No |
| 2015 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 365 hp 3.7L 6-cyl, 305 hp | AWD, FWD | 20–22 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 18 | Engine (5) | No |
| 2014 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 365 hp 3.7L 6-cyl, 305 hp | AWD, FWD | 20–22 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 44 | Steering (12) | No |
| 2013 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 365 hp 3.7L 6-cyl, 305 hp | AWD, FWD | 20–21 mpg | 5 of 5 | 7 | 141 | Steering (60) | No |
| 2012 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 355 hp 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 355 hp 3.7L 6-cyl, 275 hp | AWD, FWD | 19–20 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 17 | Steering (8) | No |
| 2011 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 355 hp 3.7L 6-cyl, 275 hp | AWD, FWD | 19–20 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 43 | Steering (21) | No |
| 2010 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 355 hp 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 355 hp | AWD, FWD | 19–20 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 51 | Steering (15) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Apple lists CarPlay for: MKS 2017–2018 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 3 |
| 2016 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 3 |
| 2015 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 18 |
| 2015 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 18 |
| 2014 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 44 |
| 2014 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 44 |
| 2013 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 7 | 141 |
| 2013 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 7 | 141 |
| 2012 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 17 |
| 2012 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 17 |
| 2011 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 43 |
| 2011 | Lincoln MKS 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 43 |
| 2010 | Lincoln MKS 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | Optional | No | 0 | 51 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | MKS AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
19 |
| 2016 | MKS FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L | 20 |
| 2015 | MKS AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
20–21 |
| 2015 | MKS FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L | 22 |
| 2014 | MKS AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
20–21 |
| 2014 | MKS FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L | 22 |
| 2013 | MKS AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo |
20–21 |
| 2013 | MKS FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L | 21 |
| 2012 | MKS AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L |
19–20 |
| 2012 | MKS FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2011 | MKS AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L |
19–20 |
| 2011 | MKS FWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L | 19 |
| 2010 | MKS AWD | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
19–20 |
| 2010 | MKS FWD | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.