2016 Lincoln MKC engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 23V378000May 26, 2023142,734 vehiclesPark outside
  ENGINE

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC vehicles. The battery monitor sensor may short-circuit and overheat, causing a fire in the engine compartment while parked or driving.

  Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

  Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will add an in-line fuse to the battery monitor sensor power circuit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S28.

• Recall 16V183000Mar 31, 20161,543 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured November 25, 2013, to January 25, 2016, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured October 20, 2014, to January 28, 2016. 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.

  Risk: Overheating of the engine block increase the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and replace the electrical cord, as necessary. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S14. Note: Owners should not use the engine block heater until the vehicle has been remedied.

What owners say

1. Filed May 15, 2026FLEngine

   My 2016 Lincoln MKC with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine experienced coolant intrusion into cylinder 3, leading to engine misfire and check engine light to turn on. The dealership confirmed the issue for $176.55 and recommended a full long block engine replacement, estimated at over $11,000. This failure occurred at 98,000 miles. Two weeks before this, the check engine light illuminated and we took it to a repair shop where we paid $628 to repair the purge valve and fuel pressure…

   NHTSA complaint #11738186 · source
2. Filed May 6, 2026WIEngine

   I have Coolant intrusion in cylinder #2 91000 miles this should be a recall it's a problem that's well documented There's a recall for the back up camera hope the camera can see through the white smoke!

   NHTSA complaint #11736199 · source
3. Filed Apr 28, 202660,000 miCAEngine

   The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the supercharger-A and the under boost needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the check engine warning light was illuminated again. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11734365 · source
4. Filed Feb 12, 2026ILElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   When driving you could smell fumes, it would jerk, and kick in and out of gear and would have no heat. Coolant was always low with no visible leaks to the mechanic.

   NHTSA complaint #11717638 · source
5. Filed Oct 16, 2025158,000 miTXEngine

   The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shaking, and the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that her brother had replaced the spark plugs and ignition coils. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the spark plugs and coils needed to be replaced with OEM parts, and the…

   NHTSA complaint #11693918 · source
6. Filed Sep 6, 2025FLEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   At 85,000 miles I was experiencing a grinding noise coming from my front end when making sharp turns to left or right. Took car to my mechanic immediately for diagnosis. They found the motor mounts and rear differential is binding and close to failure. My mechanic contacted FOMOCO to see about a replacement for the rear differential and was told that there were not any available due to a REDESIGN of the product. He was asked to check back in two weeks! Two weeks w/o my…

   NHTSA complaint #11685464 · source
7. Filed Aug 26, 2025GAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   While driving a short distance to work, my 2016 MKC check engine light came on. The previous week I noticed that the engine hesitated slightly when it first started, but it drove normally. However, when the light came on, my husband took the vehicle to the dealership where we bought it in Dec 2019. We were shocked when we were told this was a very common problem with this type of engine, a 2.0 eco boost, and that the engine would have to be replaced due to coolant intrusion,…

   NHTSA complaint #11683109 · source
8. Filed Jul 18, 2025120,000 miFLEngine

   The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a low coolant level. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, who determined that there was coolant intrusion into cylinders #2 and #3. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11674460 · source
9. Filed May 1, 2025TNEngine

   I purchased a 2016 Lincoln MKC 2.0 with 96k miles on it 2 months ago, and we just discovered a coolant leak into the first cylinder, causing a cracked head gasket. The engine needs to be replaced, and will cost $15k. Many other drivers have experienced this problem and reported it, and Ford has done nothing to correct the main issue. This problem is causing overheating of the engine, and could potentially cause injury if not fixed.

   NHTSA complaint #11658213 · source
10. Filed Apr 1, 2025NVEngine

    We purchased the vehicle about a year and a half ago and about three months after we purchased it. The check engine light went on. We’ve had the vehicle into the dealership several times we’ve had the problem fixed supposedly twice we put in over $1000 in fixing it and now the check engine light came on again And the car stopped running saying it’s overheating. Took it to the dealership and now they say the car needs a whole new engine because they antifreeze is leaking…

    NHTSA complaint #11652126 · source
11. Filed Apr 1, 2025162,000 miWIEngine

    The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was heavy white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal, with the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of coolant, and there were no signs of a coolant leak. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic…

    NHTSA complaint #11652061 · source
12. Filed Feb 21, 2025KYEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    Purchased 2016 Lincoln MKC from a Ford dealer in October with approximately 133k miles. Was a trade-in from August. The beginning of January on a very cold day while warming the MKC, the air stayed cold. Drove to work and back. That night added antifreeze as it was low. Next day on the way to work, shortly after leaving home the MKC started losing power and shaking. Couldn't pinpoint where the shake was coming from. A friend's husband is a master tech at the Ford dealership…

    NHTSA complaint #11644184 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology