Makes›Lincoln›MKT›2011

2011 Lincoln MKT

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.

Lincoln MKT
Pictured: 2010 Lincoln MKT -- NHTSA 1. Photo: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV 3.5/Ecoboost
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
19 combined · 17 city / 23 hwy
Length
207.5 in
Curb weight
4,857 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
1 campaign

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 8 similar 2011 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2011 Lincoln MKT is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (3.7L 6-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 208 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 118-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,857 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (17 city / 23 highway), 9% worse than the 2011 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.

What changed for 2011

  • Engine added: 3.7L 6-cyl
  • Engine dropped: 3.5L 6-cyl

Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 MKT →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV 3.5/Ecoboost207.5 in76 in67.3 in117.7 in65.7 / 65.7 in4,857 lb54/46

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
MKT FWD3.7L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19-9%$3,550468
MKT AWD3.5L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18-5%$3,700494
MKT AWD3.7L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18-5%$3,700494
MKT Hearse AWD3.7L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16-15%$4,200555
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.9 MPG2011 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Lincoln MKT.

Similar 2011 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2011 Lincoln MKT (this car)19 MPGNot rated1
2011 Cadillac Escalade21 MPGNot rated6
2011 Audi Q720 MPGNot rated4
2011 Lincoln Navigator16 MPGNot rated0
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class15 MPGNot rated0
2011 Infiniti QX5616 MPGNot rated2
2011 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class22 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (1)

Steering › Electric Power Assist System · Jun 2, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V340000 · 393,623 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
Risk
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2011 Lincoln MKT is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

16Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
105,945 miTypical mileage at failure
Steering11
Engine3
Wheels2
Structure › Body1
Power Train1
Unknown Or Other1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Electrical System1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/10: 116/07: 117/01: 117/02: 118/02: 118/12: 119/04: 120/07: 120/11: 121/04: 121/08: 121/11: 121/12: 123/03: 123/06: 123/07: 115/1017/0118/0219/0420/1121/0821/1223/06max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2011 Lincoln MKT buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Steering — 11 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  3. Engine — 3 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Wheels — 2 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 105,945 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 Lincoln MKT. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other MKT years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2019 MKT19207.5 inNot rated418
2018 MKT19207.5 inNot rated27
2017 MKT19207.5 inNot rated34
2016 MKT21207.5 inNot rated39
2015 MKT23207.5 inNot rated624
2014 MKT23207.5 inNot rated450
2013 MKT23207.5 inNot rated864
2012 MKT20207.5 inNot rated125
2010 MKT19207.5 inNot rated046

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lincoln. How we calculate this →