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2017 Lincoln Mkc
Buyable, but go in with open eyes: this car has specific known issues to check before money changes hands.
182 owner complaints · 3 recalls · data verified July 25, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Buy-rated alternatives from this era
Other 2015–2019 cars in the same rough price bracket with a clean, matured Buy verdict, worth cross-shopping before you commit to the 2017 Lincoln Mkc.
Why caution?
Has a "park it / park outside" recall, the most serious kind. Verify the fix was done before buying.
Complaints are still coming in strong late in this car's life, the pattern of a chronic problem that never got fixed.
Engine problems dominate (57% of complaints, typically reported near 58k miles).
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#356 of 575Among the 2017 models with a matured record, the 2017 Lincoln Mkc ranks #356, scoring higher than 13% of them. See the 2017 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
4/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2017 Lincoln MKC SUV AWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 17%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2017 Lincoln Mkc, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Backup camera & sensors (20) · Engine & cooling (20) · Electrical system (19) · Transmission & drivetrain (10)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint. Treat them as a rough guide.
Engine
57%104 complaints · typically near 58k mi · 49 in the last 2 years
“Check engine Light P0302 Engine Misfire Cylinder 2. I noticed Low Coolant in the overflow tank. Went to dealer They did a pressure test found coolant Intrusion inside …”
Backup camera & sensors
11%20 complaints · 18 in the last 2 years
“Contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that reversing at an undisclosed speed, the rear cross traffic warning system of the vehicle was inoperable. The de…”
Engine & cooling
11%20 complaints · 11 in the last 2 years
“The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle sputtered with a misfire coming from the engine, with t…”
Electrical system
10%19 complaints · 9 in the last 2 years
“Battery drain issues - causing faulty modules on driver side door which include the safety belts modules, rear lift gate as well as black panel screen. Poor engine per…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 1 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 182 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 10 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (3)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Equipment · 25V685000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
Back Over Prevention · 25V572000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.
Park itEngine · 23V378000
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.
Fix: 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.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Lincoln before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2017 Lincoln Mkc. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"? One is a "park it" / "park outside" order, the most serious kind, so I'd want that repair documented before I drive it.
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 58k miles). Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2017 Lincoln MKC beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2017? See how every Mkc model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2017 Lincoln Mkc against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.