Lincoln MKC reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 600 complaints about the Lincoln MKC with NHTSA since 2015, most often about engine and electrical system. Lincoln has filed 2 warranty extensions and 1 service campaign for it, and there are 14 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Lincoln MKC? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the MKC a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2015 on.
- Owner complaints
- 600
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 2
- Filed by Lincoln
- Service campaigns
- 1
- Filed by Lincoln
- Safety recalls
- 14
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the MKC with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 122 | Engine (75%) | 3 | 3 |
| 2018 | 76 | Engine (62%) | 4 | 3 |
| 2017 | 191 | Engine (58%) | 3 | 3 |
| 2016 | 80 | Engine (51%) | 5 | 3 |
| 2015 | 131 | Engine (25%) | 12 | 3 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single MKC model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Lincoln
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Lincoln filed with NHTSA for the MKC, in its own words. A warranty extension means Lincoln pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionSep 2022· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2015–2019
Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2021· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2015–2019
This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission torque converter for twelve (12) months from the RO date of Powertrain Control Module reflash under Customer Satisfaction Program 20B27.
- Service campaignApr 2026· Electrical system· model years 2015–2019
Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every MKC model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Engine322 (54%)
- Electrical system66 (11%)
- Other or unspecified63 (11%)
- Transmission and drivetrain52 (9%)
- Backup camera and rear sensors51 (9%)
- Engine and cooling46 (8%)
- Fuel and propulsion18 (3%)
- Steering12 (2%)
Safety recalls
14 recalls cover at least one MKC model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
The rearview camera printed circuit board terminal header connector may be loose or damaged, which can result in a blank or distorted image.
The battery monitor sensor may short-circuit and overheat, causing a fire in the engine compartment while parked or driving.
These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly.
These vehicles may be equipped with incorrect front brake hoses that may chafe against other components, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
Improperly manufactured bolts may have been used to install certain seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles, or seatbelt anchors on these vehicles.
A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
The affected vehicles are equipped with 2.3L GTDI engines and engine block heaters. These engine block heaters have elements that may overheat while plugged in.
In the affected vehicles, the Push-to Start/Stop (PTS) button that is located at the bottom of the shift transmission controls may inadvertently be pushed, causing the engine to shut off.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on January 8, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 15, 2014, to May 8, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles…
In the affected vehicles, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack between the filter body and the filter cap, possibly resulting in low fuel pressure.
The affected vehicles may have visible air bubbles in the windshield glass. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205, "Glazing Materials.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA21002Engineering analysis· opened Sep 2021, still open· Airbags· model years 2015–2016
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
- RQ19005Recall query· opened Dec 2019, closed Feb 2022· Doors, latches and locks· model years 2015
Door Latch Failures
Led to recall 20V177000.
- PE16001Preliminary evaluation· opened Jan 2016, closed Oct 2016· Doors, latches and locks· model years 2015
Door Latch Failure
Led to recall 16V643000.
NHTSA's own page for the 2019 Lincoln MKC has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Lincoln MKC reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2015 on: 600 owner complaints, 2 warranty extensions and 1 service campaign Lincoln filed, and 14 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2017 (191), 2015 (131), 2019 (122). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Lincoln MKC?
Across every model year since 2015, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name engine (54%), electrical system (11%), other or unspecified (11%). Lincoln has filed 2 warranty extensions covering the MKC, listed on this page.
Which MKC model years have the most complaints?
2017 (191), 2015 (131), 2019 (122). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the MKC with each other rather than with other models.
Has Lincoln extended the warranty on the MKC?
Yes: transmission and drivetrain (model years 2015–2019); transmission and drivetrain (model years 2015–2019). A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a MKC?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 14 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.