LincolnMKX2011Overview/lincoln/mkx/2011/base/

2011 Lincoln MKX

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

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2011 Lincoln MKX is a midsize SUV equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission, delivering an EPA-estimated 17/23/19 mpg (city/highway/combined). This model year recorded 148 owner complaints—predominantly centered on the electrical system—along with three recalls, placing it in a transitional phase of the nameplate’s reliability arc. Within the 2007–2020 span, where the 2007 model peaked at 298 complaints and the 2015 model dropped to just 19, the 2011 MKX reflects a generation still working through early electrical gremlins while moving toward the improved dependability of later years.

Model year201820172016201520142013201220112010

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/23/19 mpgEPA · 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 sizeP225-50R17OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187.4 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height67.7 in
Wheelbase111 in
Curb weight4427 lb
Track (front / rear)65.4 / 65.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 23 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

6.3–7.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.30 sec — 2011 SUV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011SUV 3.7L V66.30 sec14.80 sec305 hpFWD
2011SUV 3.7L V66.40 sec15.10 sec305 hpFWD
2011SUV 3.7L V67.20 sec15.50 sec305 hpAWD
2007SUV 3.5L V67.60 sec15.80 sec265 hpAWD
2007SUV 3.5L V67.70 sec15.90 sec265 hpAWD
2007SUV 3.5L V68.10 sec16.30 sec265 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.0 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 Capacity6.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

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
Front Wheel Hub258 ft-lbs

Ignition

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

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.32 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature175-182 °F
RPM58 @ Idle rpm
RPM51-62 @ Idle rpm
Engine Oil Pressure30 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.006-0.010 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.014-0.018 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket65 ft-lbs / 19 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle98 ft-lbs / 66 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.023 in / 0.393 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 4: 37 ft. lbs., step 5: 9089 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., step 2: turn 457.4 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 MKX sits in the middle of its generation with 148 complaints, a notable increase from 111 in 2010 but down dramatically from the 298 logged in 2007. A striking feature of this model year is that it carried only 3 recalls—matching the historic low for this generation—compared to 7 each in 2009–2010 and a further 1 in 2012, suggesting fewer factory-defect campaigns addressed during this specific year. Complaints were concentrated in the Electrical System (24), Engine (15), and Service Brakes (12), with 6 crash-related and 4 fire-related complaints; however, the data does not specify root causes for these incidents. The 51 TSBs issued for 2011 reflects a growing trend of service bulletins throughout the generation, climbing steadily toward 63 by 2013, indicating increasing dealer-level awareness of recurring issues. Across the arc, complaint levels remained volatile through 2013 before declining sharply in 2014–2015, with a fresh wave of problems (7 recalls, 220 TSBs) appearing only with the 2016 redesign. The 2011 model's relatively modest recall count offers some reassurance, but the unresolved top complaint categories—particularly electrical and braking—warrant a thorough pre-purchase inspection, and buyers should budget for the high TSB volume as a sign of lingering mid-generation durability concerns.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
51
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
148
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Frontal★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 148 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System24
Unknown Or Other18
Engine15
Service Brakes12
Service Brakes, Hydraulic11
Structure8
Power Train6
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

11V128000Electrical System:SoftwareReported 24/02/2011

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 FORD F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, EDGE, AND LINCOLN MKX TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 25, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 20, 2010. THESE VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED USING… Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER…

10V516000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:LockReported 27/10/2010

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 EDGE AND LINCOLN MKX VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 8, 2010. THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH INCORRECTLY CONFIGURED ELECTRONIC MODULE SETTINGS THAT… Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL HAVE THE AFFECTED CONTROL MODULES UPDATED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 51 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
13N02 S32024-02-20Service Brakes, HydraulicCertain 2010-2014 Model Year Edge and MKX Vehicles - Extended Warranty Coverage on Brake…
13N02 S22023-11-27Service Brakes, HydraulicCertain 2010-2014 Model Year Edge and MKX Vehicles - Extended Warranty Coverage on Brake…
SSM 515362023-04-04StructureFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis…
DOR-M9J4S-072020-06-03Engine And Engine CoolingThese SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication…

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 MKX. 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 MKX take?

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

Does the 2011 MKX have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the MKX get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.