Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Lincoln MKZ owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was stopping at a stop sign and was unable to stop immediately, instead I coasted a little bit before stopping. Then the brake warning lights and ABS and traction lights came on. I pulled over to a parking lot and turned the car off and turned it back on: all the lights came back on. I put on my flashers and very carefully and slowly drove my car to Jiffy Lube. They did an $108 oil change and checked the brake pads and brake fluid levels and said everything was fine and I would need to take it to a larger shop. I contacted the Apple Ford dealer near me and had my family follow me as I dropped it off. They said it would be a total of $310 for diagnostic and brake flush. I did the flush and it didn't work. They said it would cost just shy of $3k to replace the entire hydraulic system. I took the car home because that is too much for a 2011 vehicle. …
Recently I have experienced a "soft brake pedal" on my 2011 Lincoln MKZ. I investigated online and here's what I found. So far there is no recall on this vehicle but SHOULD BE. NHTSA believes the hydraulic control valves can become corroded and stuck, causing soft brake pedals and longer stopping distances. In some cases, braking returns to normal when the valves subsequently become unstuck, causing an intermittent condition that makes a correct diagnosis difficult. On Ford's side, engineers discovered a gelatinous material that prevented control valves from properly returning to the closed positions after actuation. The automaker also found the gelatinous material likely occurred when brake fluid hit the valve coating. …
My brakes completely gave out forcing me to use the handbrake. I took it to a Ford service shop and they said the problem was the HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. The part itself is on hold due to a recall. However, my car has not been placed on the recall list. I ended up paying out of pocket to have it fixed but was advised that Ford could reimburse me once NHTSA sends the recall notice. Side note: Ford was the third shop I took it to. The other two mechanics could not diagnose the problem. The attached invoice has my name wrong. It's [redacted].
Driving down the road all of a sudden Accutrac warning came up and then check brake system. The brakes were like a sponge and stopping was very difficult and required using emergency brake. Shut car off for a few minutes and then problem went away. Then it did it again. This is the same exact issue a recall was issued for the 2006-2010 model of Lincoln MKZ hybrid. Mine is a 2011 but built in the same plant. This car now has an unrepaired air bag from another recall that they still cannot fix and now no brakes and can't be driven. I feel this model should be included in the other model years recall.
Brakes worked perfectly until I had to stop suddenly. Brake pedal went almost to the floor before brakes engaged, and then only slightly. I made it home with them in that same condition. When I took it to the shop, the brakes worked perfectly again. At no time was any code shown. So far the shop can't get the brakes to do it again, but I can't trust the car I paid for. The NHTSA had a recall for the Lincoln MKZ up to 2010, but my 2011 has the same ABS module issue. Please expand the recall before someone else gets injured or killed.
I was driving home in rush hour traffic at approximately 50 mph. I tried to brake but the pedal went to the floor and I had no brakes at all. Turns out this was a recall issue for the same issue for the previous four years MKZs. Replacing the fluid did not fix the problem and the 2,000 dollars charged for just the module that controls this is disgraceful. That doesn't include the other thousand for a mechanic to install the part. I managed to avoid hitting anyone, but not by much. This is extremely dangerous and should be addressed
There have been several occasions where I am cruising at a steady spread and when I try to brake, the pedal just goes down to the floor. It's as if I don't have any brakes at all. I've had my brakes and fluid checked and all is good. This is a very scary and dangerous situation. Doing my research I see that this is a common problem. How is there not a recall on this? This could be a fatal situation. Please advise.
During a braking event that caused my ABS to activate, my brake pedal traveled almost all the way to the floor. I was able to stop the car without accident but feel unsafe driving it. After much research I located Ford safety recall 19S54 which describes my issue exactly, unfortunately Ford has decided to only issue the recall for model years 2006 to 2010.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ. While the contact's wife was driving and attempting to apply the brakes, the brake pedal lowered slowly. The contact stated that his wife struck a flower pot on a nearby lawn and had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not towed. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who repaired the master cylinder, but the failure recurred. The contact returned the vehicle to the certified mechanic who discovered a mechanism under the brake pedal that prohibited the brake pedal from being able to be depressed appropriately. The mechanism was removed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact had not yet received a response. The failure mileage was 40,000. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that the vehicle unintentionally accelerated. Also, when the brake and the accelerator pedal was depressed at the same time, the pedal traveled to the floorboard. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a brick wall. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to jack demmer Lincoln (21531 michigan ave, dearborn, mi 48124, [phone]) where the contact was informed that the only way the vehicle could be diagnosed was if the failure occurred while at the dealer. The front end of the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,273 at the time of the crash.
Brake complaints in other MKZ years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2011 Lincoln MKZ?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Lincoln MKZ, 14% of the model year's 145 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Lincoln MKZ brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Lincoln MKZ brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.