Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Mercury Milan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Passenger side brake light assembly failed June 2025. I found it our at an oil change inspection. Ford discontinued manufacturing this LED brake light assembly, so it is difficult to replace this safety critical part. The part number is 9N7Z 13404 A.
Driver's side brake light stays illuminated all the time while vehicle is on and while driving, instead of only turning on when brake is pressed down. In November I noticed the driver's side brake light begin to flicker while parked. Since it is a malfunction with the LED lights, the entire brake light housing would have to be replaced, a roughly $410 repair. For as often as I have seen other 2011 Mercury Milan owners complain about this, you would think this would have been recalled already. I have been told the brake light constantly staying on is distracting and very bright to other drivers behind me.
Right rear brake light doesn't work at all now. Had been working off and on for several months but every time I had it looked at, it worked. Now completely inop. Took car to harold zigler Ford in elkhart for recall 19s01 and they looked at brake light and said I needed the complete housing replaced for over $400???? Looked up recall 14m03 for this very problem. This is a safety hazard and I need it fixed under this recall asap. Why didn't dealership offer this fix? Thank you I. Advance for your help
The LED assembly responsible for illumination of the brake lights has failed prematurely presenting a potential safety concern. Ford charges an exorbitant fee ($376) for the hardware alone, not including the price for installation. This cost is unreasonable to replace faulty components which provide safety functionality. This has been referred to by the mechanics at the dealership as a "common" problem, so should it not be worthy of a safety recall?
The driver's side brake light began flickering after the car was parked. I was also informed after this was noticed that it flickers (gets brighter) while driving. The passenger brake light also stayed brightly illuminated last year, and I was told it would be over $500 to replace the light assembly. Fortunately, my vehicle sustained an accident and the passenger light was damaged further and replaced. Now a defect is occurring on the driver's side.
Rear passenger LED brake lights failed, will not illuminate after shaky 'flashing' noticed for a few months. Replaced with salvage LED assy for $150. Withinweeks, the driver's side brake light is noticed to stay on any time the running or headlights are on. Both are unsafe conditions and both require full assy replacement.
Ive had loss of power steering . When car comp reset I had power steering again. Power steering rack was just replaced feb 2017 tail light replaced..flickered on n off like strobe light. Airbag light on
Was stopped by a policeman because he said my right taillight was going crazy, blinking, acting wrong for a braking process. I had no indication that my right tail light did not work and also that my right signal light did not work. There is no indication that the blinker was not working. Prior to being stopped by the policeman, I had a driver shake their head at me when I was trying to change lanes to a right lane and she would not let me in to exit right. I did not know that the right signal was not working. This is an extremely unsafe condition because the car doe not register any indication that the light is not working for the brake and also for the signal. In addition, Ford will not replace these light assemblies without charging for them, which cost $500 each. It is not a simple bulb replacement, but instead an entire tail light assembly for $500. …
Starting in September of 2013 on our Mercury Milan the right tail light was blinking like a strobe light when the headlights where on. ( tail light on, brake light flashing) this lasted for a few weeks then seemed to disappear, starting a few weeks ago the blinking returned on the right side followed by the left side. Currently the right side is non useable (tail light and brake light are both on all the time) left side stopped working completely this last problem has progressed quickly it all stopped working in just a few days. I went to the dealership to get it fixed they told me it was going to be about 1000.00 to fix the two tail lights.
The LED tail lamp assembly began flickering and after a short period of time it now does not light at all. I have noted other Milan vehicles in my area having similar problems. I attempted to obtain parts to repair my vehicle online and also through my Ford dealer and was told that there is a shortage of parts because this defect is well known. This could certainly cause an accident at any time! I cannot park my vehicle as I need to get back and forth to work. If I receive a fix-it ticket for this I would like to bill it to Ford. If a recall can be forced to issue then I hope that you initiate one.
Headlight complaints in other Milan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2011 Mercury Milan?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the lights of the 2011 Mercury Milan, 15% of the model year's 191 complaints. The component named most often is tail lights (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Mercury Milan headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2011 Mercury Milan, though it has 7 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 Mercury Milan headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
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.