2011 Lincoln MKT

The defect

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.

The 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.

The 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 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 393,623 vehicles across all model years covered

towed · 105,945 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ZUMBROTA FORD (1660 SOUTH MAIN ST, ZUMBROTA, MN 55992) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERNAL PTU NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,945.

NHTSA complaint 11071991. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed · 131,500 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKT. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LEITH LINCOLN (LOCATED AT 7900 CAPITAL BLVD, RALEIGH, NC 27616, (919) 872-9500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15340000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,500.

NHTSA complaint 11195046. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

my power steering sensor fault light came on and it was recalled a while back & expired a few months ago unbeknownst to me.

NHTSA complaint 11532942. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

197,000 miles

The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel became firm. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 197,000.

NHTSA complaint 11526020. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Car begin smoking out of the back took car to dealership car oil was low. Car dealership refilled oil and told me to come back after driving 1000 miles. Car began smoking again like it was going to catch on fire took car in was told the turbo boost failed. Dealership mention that the turbo boost was previously repaired and under warranty so they repaired it. Car started smoking again I took car to dealership to get an oil change and made them aware that the car was smoking bad again. I was informed that it takes a while for the oil to burn out of the exhaust. Two days later I when to the store to pick up my medication and once again the car began smoking and the smoke was comin into the …

NHTSA complaint 11509944, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Sometimes while starting the car, the power steering does not work and the car can barely be maneuvered out of a parking spot. Turning the car off and re-starting it fixes the problem however this happens about every other week. This has not happened while the car has been in motion thankfully as I’m sure this would cause an accident. The mileage this started was about 200,000 miles. There is a recall but apparently this car does not qualify for a free fix by the manufacturer. It is an expensive repair according to internet searches or vehicle owners with the same issues and reports that most people do not have the repair done due to the high cost.

NHTSA complaint 11444977. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Power steering assist fault error. The power steering stopped working.

NHTSA complaint 11439705. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

84,000 miles

The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that at start-up the power steering assist failed to operate as needed with the power steering assist message on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The contact then had the vehicle towed to the dealer where he was informed that the recall had expired. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back to the dealer and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that his vehicle was not under …

NHTSA complaint 11430709, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.