AI Damage2011 Mercury Milan: common problems
Owners of the 2011 Mercury Milan filed 192 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 192
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 40% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 16% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 15% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 11% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 9% of all complaints
- 7 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 8% of all complaints
- Steering: 77 complaints (40% of all).
- Powertrain: 31 complaints (16% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 29 complaints (15% of all).
- Engine: 22 complaints (11% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 22 complaints (11% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 2.5 L · hybrid · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- CVT
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 192 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 77 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 31 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 29 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 17 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I did receive a letter about a year ago requesting to take my car into ford concerning the driver air bag and other things that needed to be corrected as well. All the recall work was completed except for the air bags. We were told that they did not have the parts needed in stock that we would be notified.
I was driving approximately 35 mph when a chime sounded and the DIC flashed "Service Advancetrak" and "service power steering NOW" I immediately parked the vehicle and called for roadside assistance and had it towed.
While driving, the ABS, traction control and power steering lights came on. I was coming off the highway and I lost power steering!!! I almost wrecked into the guard rail coming off the exit!!! I got to the light at the bottom of the exit and I had no power steering. I pulled over immediately and called for a tow.
The contact researched and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V793000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired.
On XXX My 2011 Milan, experienced a total loss of steering assist. Am original owner & have original invoice from former dealer (Vista Ford )dated XXX, Invoice #XXX shows the dealer only did a software patch under 15N01 because there were no error codes at the time.
I've been reading on all these recalls for my car and only one recall was fix which was when I took care of it but these past recalls on my car, and some of the recalls match up to the way my car is acting like and I bought this car used and I am concerned about the recalls and not being fix I would like to get my car…
RE: Safety Recall Notice 21S12 / NHTSA Recall 21V-158 ISSUE: "In the event of a crash that causes deployment of the driver airbag, the driver airbag inflator in your vehicle may explode." RISK: "If an airbag inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments could strike the driver or other occupants causing serious injury or…
The contact stated that while his great-nephew was driving at an unknown speed, the brakes failed. The contact stated that the brake warning light was illuminated. The driver pumped on the brake pedal until the vehicle stopped.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 2,118 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 6% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Milan has 420 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 192, below average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Mercury Milan?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, powertrain, exterior lighting. Total complaints: 192. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (36%), warning lights, check engine (26%), loss of power / limp mode (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2011 Mercury Milan?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2011 Mercury Milan from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2011 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.