Lincoln›MKZ›2011›Overview/lincoln/mkz/2011/base/

2011 Lincoln MKZ

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

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2011 Lincoln MKZ is a passenger car featuring an S6 automatic transmission and an engine that requires 5.0 quarts of 5W-20 API oil. The vehicle is rated by the EPA at 17/24/19 mpg. In the context of the model's 2006-2020 history, the 2011 year recorded 184 owner complaints and 7 recalls, with air bags as the top complaint area, placing it below the 2008 peak of 281 complaints.

Model year2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2011

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy17/24/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 96R · 500 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 96R · 500 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225-50VR17OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	190.6 in
Overall width	72 in
Overall height	55.5 in
Wheelbase	107.5 in
Curb weight	3600 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.6 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	17 / 24 / 19 mpg
Drivetrain	4-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	99 cu ft
Cargo volume	16 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

8.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.40 sec — 2011 Hybrid Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2011	Hybrid Sedan 2.5L I-4 + Elec	8.40 sec	16.40 sec	191 hp	FWD
2013	3.7 Sedan 3.7L V6	6.30 sec	14.80 sec	300 hp	AWD
2013	3.7 Sedan 3.7L V6	6.40 sec	14.70 sec	300 hp	AWD
2013	EcoBoost Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.60 sec	15.00 sec	240 hp	AWD
2013	EcoBoost Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.20 sec	15.50 sec	240 hp	AWD
2013	EcoBoost Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.70 sec	15.90 sec	240 hp	AWD
2013	Hybrid Sedan 2.0L I-4 + Elec	8.80 sec	16.70 sec	188 hp	FWD
2013	Hybrid Sedan 2.0L I-4 + Elec	9.40 sec	17.20 sec	188 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Ford Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5.0-6.0
Engine Coolant	USE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.3 qt
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	13 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	41 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	20.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	14.75 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	185 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	188 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.38 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	6.00 oz
Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.25-1.38 lbs
Oil Type	YN-32

Service checks

Pressure Test	18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	176-183 °F
Pressure Test	18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	175-182 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	55
Injector Primary Resistance	1-2 Turbo ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	19 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	52 ft-lbs
Brake Application	WITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	66 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.314 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 ft. lbs., step 2: 90

74 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

89 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 90

89 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

Install 6 new exhaust manifold stud

9 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.

At 10,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 10,000 mi	Brake 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 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
At 100,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

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 MKZ sits near the tail end of the generation's complaint peak, with 184 complaints recorded—down substantially from the 2007-2008 spike (281 in 2008) but still elevated compared to the declining trajectory that follows (146 in 2012, 108 in 2013). Recalls held steady at 7, consistent with the surrounding years, while TSBs reached 39, slightly higher than 2010 but not yet near the explosion seen in 2013 (159). The dominant complaint category is Air Bags (75 of 184 total), far exceeding steering (24) and service brakes (17), with 12 crash-related complaints and 3 fire complaints on record. Compared to earlier years in the generation, the 2011 shows improvement from the problematic 2007-2008 period but has not yet reached the relative stability of later model years like 2015-2016. The takeaway: 2011 represents a transitional year—better than the early-generation woes but still carrying meaningful baggage, particularly with airbag concerns. A careful pre-purchase inspection focusing on airbag system functionality is essential, and price negotiation should reflect this generational position.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

184

Owner complaints

12 involved a crash · 3 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10’11’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 184 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags75

Steering24

Service Brakes17

Unknown Or Other7

Structure6

Engine5

Tires4

Electrical System,Structure3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V001000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 07/01/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free…

18V775000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 01/11/2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ vehicles that previously received a replacement passenger air bag under recall 16V-384, 17V-024 or 18V-046. In the… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 39 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
SSM 54601	2026-02-23	Electrical System	Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
SSM 52476	2024-04-24	Equipment	All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 52243	2024-02-08	Engine And Engine Cooling	When performing any transmission fluid change or topoff involving MotorcraftÂ® Premium…
22B05 S1	2023-07-27	Air Bags	Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and…
SSM 51666	2023-05-26	Steering	Some 2010-2012 Fusion/Milan and 2011-2012 MKZ vehicles equipped with a 2.5L or 3.0L…

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 MKZ. 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.

Group 96R battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 MKZ take?

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

Does the 2011 MKZ have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the MKZ get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.