Home · 2016 Lincoln Mkc · Complaints

What 77 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Lincoln Mkc

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (77)Crash / fire / injury (8)Engine (41)Transmission & drivetrain (11)Electrical system (10)Engine & cooling (7)Backup camera & sensors (4)Steering (4)Fuel system (3)Lights (3)Body & structure (2)Brakes (2)

Newest first · 77 complaints · page 3 of 4

May 18, 2023Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, he heard a sputtering and knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle started to overheat. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure and that the vehicle had begun to consume an abnormal amount of coolant. The contact stated that the A/C had also begun to blow hot air while activated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle seemed to be running at reduced power. The contact stated that for the vehicle to run normally he had to be sure that the coolant reservoir was full. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the coolant hoses and a valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that he contacted the dealer and was advised the failure was related to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 19-2346 Coolant in Cylinders (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,400.

NHTSA ODI 11522695

May 3, 2023Engine

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that the engine fault message was displayed and there was a misfire in cylinder #4. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine needed to be replaced and recommended he contact the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 82,193.

NHTSA ODI 11520185

Mar 1, 2023Fire

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unattended, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated that the flames were approximately 15 feet high. There were no reported injuries. A police report was filed. The Fire Department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and was waiting on the police report to arrive. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11509731

Mar 1, 2023EngineFire

Hello my name is [XXX], SUNDAY FEBRUARY 26TH, 2023 @ 11pm-12am MY CAR SET ON FIRE WILL BEING OFF AND PARKED… We went out to a restaurant parked outside and our car set on fire 15 ft up the air. THANK GOD the car was NOT PARKED at home because the cops mentioned it could have had set fire on ALL my cars, and my house as well!! My mother who is under psychiatric treatment fainted when she heard the cops knock the house at 1 am and mention my car was on fire and they couldn’t reach me. (I had no signal) My sister was screaming, it was a terrible experience that has left them traumatized, as well as myself. The day before I spent the entire day with my nephew who is 3 years old.. this is a serious matter that Lincoln is not owning up to. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11509734

Feb 27, 2023Body & structureEngineFire

The car got on fire while being parked and turned off.

NHTSA ODI 11509262

Jan 23, 2023Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

In 2019 I bought a used 2016 Lincoln MKC Reserve 2.0 Ecoboost Engine w 34K miles. In 4 years I've driven 11,400K miles. A few weeks ago my vehicle would not start. I had a tow to a Ford Retailer because the Service Tech at a Lincoln Retailer informed me they were backed up having 10 vehicles waiting to replace failed Ecoboost engines all with coolant leaks most likely I would need the same. After the $400 diagnostics I was told that I needed a new engine! Unlike the Lincoln Tech, Fords would not discuss anything about all the news, recalls or TSBs on Failed Ecoboost Engines. My Powertrain Warranty had recently expired well under mileage I would be responsible to pay. My MKCs decline happened suddenly and rapidly went downhill. First I noticed it was loud at start up which was odd and was running very rough. I checked underside and the rear to see if something was hanging and noticed a bluish gray smoke come out of exhaust for under a minute then then all symptoms cleared. Next for the 1st time a Check Engine Light came on which indicated a Misfire in Cylinder 4. Finally I had no heat in the cabin yet the engine was starting to overheat this time the Check Engine Light was blinking rapidly while driving at night in the freezing cold with my young daughter with me. It was very dangerous with supercold tempuratures being Winter in the NorthEast with icy roads. I started to smell a chemical burning odor. I have never experienced an overheating engine before in my life. I was scared and panicking not wanting to risk my engine blowing up or catching fire especially with my young child. I had no choice but to put all the windows down and pull over on the side of the road which had no sidewalks. The hood was very hot to touch. Next I am under the hood with a flashlight to check the fluids when I first became aware of the Coolant Reservoir was near empty, which explained the lack of heat and overheating. I owe $10k and it will cost $10k to replace Fords FAULTY Engine.

NHTSA ODI 11503269

Sep 26, 2022Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a coolant leak into cylinder #3 and the engine block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in a recall, and the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ODI 11486419

Aug 14, 2022Transmission & drivetrainBrakesEngineFire

2016 LINCOLN MKC parked on driveway for over 24 hours, when my father was outside gardening he noticed smoke and flames coming from under the hood, the Fire Department was called who out the fire out and stated it was "totaled". Fire Department conducted their own investigation to determine the cause of the fire. The report returned indicating the "Engine" was the origin of the fire. Thank the lord my father was outside or our garage and house could have burnt down with all of us in it. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE!! I opened two claims with CarMax MaxCare Warranty which were denied. I have one case open with Ford Motor Company which is still pending. Car is currently at autoshop undergoing another diagnosis of the the orgin of fire for my CarMax MaxCare Warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11479246

Jul 8, 2022FirerelatedFire

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended in the garage, it caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries, property damage or police report filed. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no additional assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V183000 (Engine And Engine Cooling).

NHTSA ODI 11472910

Jan 28, 2022Wheels

Swollen lug nuts prevent use of correct wrench or supplied wrench to remove wheel. This means inability to change a tire. Needs to be warranted for lug nuts that do not swell.

NHTSA ODI 11449301

Nov 12, 2021Electrical systemLightsEngine

have to jump car if sits over 3 days. then cruise control, no signal lights and menu instrument panel stays on trac.. mode bought vehicle in May 2021 this has happened 4 times and 2 new batteries later

NHTSA ODI 11440199

Sep 4, 2021EngineFire

Unknown. Fire started in engine while car was not turned on and parked.

NHTSA ODI 11431747

Jul 11, 2021Speed controlDriver assistance

Two things are a problem: 1) When adaptive or regular cruise control is set to a particular speed (any speed) and the increase speed (+) button is pressed once or pushed and held, the vehicle increases speed and does not stop unless cruise control is turned off or the brake pedal is pressed. 2) There are multiple problems associated with the SYNC system (maps no longer work, Bluetooth connection is spotty, delays when turning on and off the radio, system stays on after leaving the vehicle).

NHTSA ODI 11424267

Jun 18, 2021Body & structure

Today (6/18/2021) was a totally dry day with no precipitation here in Meade County, KY. Today at or about 7:00 PM, I went into the garage, got in the car, closed the driver's door, and put on my seat belt, started and put the car into drive, & moved the car out of the garage without incident. Once outdoors in the driveway, I immediately stopped the car, leaving the OEM FOB inside of the running car, I got out of my seatbelt, opened the car door and exited the car. Leaving the driver's door open, I went back into the garage to get something I had accidently left behind. I returned immediately to the car, got into the car, closed the door, and put on my seatbelt. When leaving the driveway, I noticed that the door ajar light came on. I immediately stopped the car, put it into park, and attempted to close and lock the door, but it would not close and lock. I attempted to close and lock the door several times using the OEM FOB, but it did not help. After a closer look at the driver's door lock on the outside of the car, it appears that the lock assembly is coming apart! This is the first time this has happened. As a result of this significant safety concern, I had to immediately park the car back into the garage and now it will remain parked until I can get it repaired. I noticed that other Ford products had similar lock failures, but thus far no recall has been issued for the 2016 Lincoln MKC. I am shocked! This lock failure could have cost me my life and the life of my spouse who was with me in the car. I hope that NHTSA will investigate my claim and issue a prompt recall for the 2016 Lincoln MKC. Again, my VIN number is 5LMCJ2C90GU[XXX] and the car has 60,036 miles on the odometer. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11421447

Feb 13, 2020Lights

PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLAMP BECAME INOPERATIVE (BURNED OUT). UPON INVESTIGATION AT THE LINCOLN DEALERSHIP THEY NOTICED THE BULB WAS NOT FULLY SEATED. CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE EARS THAT SPRING CLIP LOCKS TO WAS MISSING FROM THE ASSEMBLY. THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION OF HOW THE SPRING CLIP LOCKS WERE MISSING. CONCERN IS IN ASSEMBLY OF THIS VEHICLES THIS PIECE WAS NEVER ADDED. ONE COULD LOOSE A HEADLIGHT OR BOTH AT ANY TIME AND IN DARK CIRCUMSTANCES COULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN TO THOSE ON THE ROAD POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11309031

Sep 8, 2019Steering

POWER STEERING FROZE UP INSTANTLY WHEN SUDDEN FLUID DROP IN SYSTEM. CAR COULD NOT BE STEERED TO SIDE OF ROAD. ONCE FLUID WAS PUT BACK IN RESERVOIR THE STEERING CAME BACK. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE S FATAL ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11254005

May 22, 2019Engine

THE ENGINE STARTED STALLING WHEN CRANKING UP IN A PARKED POSITION, AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS, BUT LATELY IT ALSO STALLS JUST WHEN CRANKING UP IN A PARKED POSITION. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON.

NHTSA ODI 11209237

Apr 17, 2019

MY SYNC SOFTWARE WAS AUTOMATICALLY UPDATED FROM VERSION 2.3 TO VERSION 3.0, AFTER THAT UPDATE, MY VOICE RECOGNITION AND AUDIBLE NAVIGATION TURN-BY-TURN PROMPTS NO LONGER WORK. AFTER CONTACTING THE FORD HOTLINE I WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE CAR TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. AFTER 5 HOURS DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM, THEY CHARGED ME $100 AND INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE APIM REPLACED AT AN ADDITION COST OF $800. I DID NOT HAVE THIS PART REPLACED. THIS HAS CAUSED A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN IN THAT I CAN NO LONGER USE HANDS-FREE MODE FOR CONTROLLING THE PHONE OR FOR ACCESSING OTHER VOICE ACTIVATED DEVICES SUCH AS NAVIGATION SYSTEM, NOR DO I RECEIVE AUDIBLE PROMPTS WHILE NAVIGATING. AFTER GOOGLING, I FIND THAT THIS ISSUE IS VERY COMMON . I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AT NO COST TO ME SINCE THEY WERE THE ONES THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM DURING THEIR AUTOMATIC UPDATE.

NHTSA ODI 11196945

Jan 6, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN VEHICLE IS SLOWED (EVEN SLIGHTLY) BY DEACCELERATING OR SPED UP BY ACCELERATING THE SHIFTING SUDDENING AND HARSHLY GRABS AND LURCHES EFFECTING VEHICLE STABILITY. THE IMPACT IS VERY PRONOUNCED AND AUDIBLY LOUD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO LUNGED FORWARD AS SHIFTING OCCURS WHEN BRAKING JUST PRIOR TO COMING TO A FULL STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE DATES.

NHTSA ODI 11165541

Jan 2, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LINCOLN MKC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND "SHIFT SYSTEM FAULT" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JOHNSON'S BROTHER LINCOLN (7455 S GENERAL BRUCE DR, TEMPLE, TX 76502, (254) 773-5257) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC REFUSED TO ASSIST. THE DEALER DENIED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A STALLING FAILURE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE BATTERY BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,850.

NHTSA ODI 11164476

Apr 2, 2018Steering

HAVE BEEN CALLING THE DEALER AND NOT RETURNING MY CALL.DELRAY MOTORS 561 454 1800 THERE IS A RECALL

NHTSA ODI 11082433

Feb 23, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COAST THE VEHICLE JERKS AND BANGS INTO GEAR. AT TIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME WHETHER ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. FORD FIELD SERVICE ENGINEER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THIS CONCERN BUT SAID IT WAS WITHIN THE PARAMETER OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT HAPPENS AT LOW SPEED. I FIND THIS A NOT ACCEPTABLE ANSWER FOR A FAULTY TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI 11074541

May 17, 2017

OCCASIONAL VERY HARD SHIFTING AT LOW SPEEDS, AROUND 25-30 MPH WHILE LIGHTLY PRESSING ON THE GAS. FEELS/SOUNDS LIKE VEHICLE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. DEALER CAN NEVER DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10986115

Dec 15, 2016AirbagsCrash

I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAVY FRONT END COLLISION - DURING THE COLLISION MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, GOING ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON IT'S BRAKES AND I COLLIDED WITH THEM. THE MAIN AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI 10935522

Apr 20, 2016

MY HUSBAND AND I ARE LEASING A 2016 LINCOLN MKC EQUIPPED WITH A 2.3 ECO-BOOST ENGINE. RECENTLY LOST POWER WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WHICH WAS QUITE FRIGHTENING. ALSO OCCURRED TRAVELING UP THE STREET FROM OUR HOME WHILE GOING SLOWLY. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED AND WERE TOLD NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING A VEHICLE WHERE SUCH A PROBLEM CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME! WE WANTED TO DRIVE OUR NEW MKC TO OUR VACATION DESTINATION BUT OBVIOUSLY THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ODI 10860570

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 77 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 27, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Lincoln Mkc verdict →