LincolnMKS2011Overview/lincoln/mks/2011/base/

2011 Lincoln MKS

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 MKS.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2011 Lincoln MKS is a passenger car, and routine oil service calls for 5.5 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil. Within the 20092016 model run, the 2011 model year has logged 43 owner complaints and 3 recalls, with steering standing out as the top complaint area. That places it well below the line’s 2013 high of 140 complaints but above the 2016 low of 3, so it sits in the middle of the range rather than ranking as the most troubled or the cleanest year of the generation.

Model year20162015201420132012201120102009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-55R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Thermostat9T4Z8A586B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length203.9 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height61.4 in
Wheelbase113 in
Curb weight4277 lb
Track (front / rear)65 / 65.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the MKS of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.4–7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.40 sec — 2010 EcoBoost Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2010EcoBoost Sedan 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.40 sec14.10 sec355 hpAWD
2009Sedan 3.7L V67.00 sec15.20 sec273 hpAWD
2009Sedan 3.7L V67.40 sec15.60 sec273 hpAWD
2009Sedan 3.7L V67.50 sec15.70 sec273 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.0-11.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case FluidSYNTHETIC · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity1 Pint

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0
Front Wheel Hub258 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub258 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.63 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca
Standard BCI Group Number65

Service checks

Pressure Test14 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature175-182 °F
Pressure Test14 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature175-182 °F
RPM51-62 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance1-2 Turbo ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle76 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket53 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle111 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.393 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9089 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 4: 37 ft. lbs., step 5: 9089 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Install 6 new exhaust manifold stud9 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 Lincoln MKS recorded 43 complaints, three recalls, zero investigations and 31 technical service bulletins, showing a decline in complaints from 51 in 2010 and a rise in recalls from zero in 2010. Compared with the following year, 2012 complaints fell further to 16 while recalls remained at three and TSBs increased to 34, indicating that 2011 sits on a downward complaint trajectory before the 2013 spike. Across the 2009‑2016 generation, complaints dropped steadily from 56 in 2009 to a low of 16 in 2012, then surged to 140 in 2013 before declining again, while recalls were low early, peaked at seven in 2013, and varied between zero and three in other years. The data does not specify the root causes of the 2011 recalls, but the recall count is modest relative to the 2013 peak. Taken together, the 2011 model year exhibits improving complaint frequency and moderate recall activity, making it a reasonable candidate for a used purchase if the recall repairs have been completed.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
31
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
43
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 43 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering12
Unknown Or Other2
Air Bags2
Steering,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)2
Engine2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Electrical System2
Steering,Service Brakes2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V040000Structure:Body:DoorReported 28/01/2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners…

15V340000Steering:Electric Power Assist SystemReported 02/06/2015

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 31 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 515362023-04-04StructureFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis…
SSM 492102020-09-25Engine And Engine CoolingSome 2009-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbochargers may exhibit an oil…
SSM 481302019-08-09VisibilitySome 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or…
SSM 479762019-05-10Power TrainOn vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter…
SSM 479482019-04-26EngineSSM 47948 - 2010-2019 Various Vehicles - Turbocharged Engines - Oil Supply Filter…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific MKS. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 MKS take?

5.5 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 MKS have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.