What 182 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Lincoln Mkc

I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding my 2017 Lincoln MKC equipped with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine (VIN: [XXX]). The vehicle has experienced a severe, progressive engine failure caused by internal coolant intrusion into Cylinder 1, directly matching the structural design defect detailed by the manufacturer in Technical Service Bulletin TSB 22-2229. This defect allows pressurized engine coolant to continuously leak directly into the combustion cylinders while driving and during engine rest. This creates an immediate safety risk of vehicle hydro-locking during ignition, sudden mid-drive engine stalls at highway speeds due to severe misfires (Fault Code P0301), and unexpected engine overheating. The manufacturer has knowingly built these open-deck engine blocks with narrow coolant grooves prone to fracturing, creating an ongoing risk of sudden thermal failure and power loss in active traffic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11749860

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 Cylinder 2 open TSB 22-2229 Car or SUV if coolant gets into cylinder can cause engine failure

NHTSA ODI 11747809

About 3 weeks ago, I was driving, and a red flashing light came on, signalling that my coolant was low. I bought radiator fluid and put it in up to the fill line. I visited my daughter, which is 11/2 hr. away. I checked the radiator reserve when I arrived at her house. The reserve was empty again. I brought it to a local mechanic shop. They diagnosed that I have coolant intrusion in the engine. They said I would need to pay for a new engine around $8800-$9200. I had purchased a lifetime extended warranty when I purchased the car. The Ford dealership diagnosed my car with the same problem as the local mechanic. They said the repair was not covered by the Powertrain warranty do to it being a manufacturing failure. I brought the car home and it has been parked since.

NHTSA ODI 11743742

Lincoln MKC 2017 Engine failure due to Coolant leak. Bought new Lincoln MKC 2017. The current mileage is 52, 500. Upon Starting, engine would shake for about 10 seconds. The Engine light would come ON. Engine light would turn OFF and ON for few weeks. The Dealership diagnostic indicated code P0301. I was advised Full Engine replacement. Currently the Engine is not starting at all. I have heard it's a design issue with the Engine. I have contacted multiple Lincoln dealerships, and each one has its own engine replacement costs. Lincoln Concierge declined my request to help in anyway although it seems to be a design issue with the Engine.

NHTSA ODI 11738067

I took my vehicle to the local Ford dealership for service due to a check engine light being on. They pulled the spark plug and found the cylinder full of coolant and found TSB-22-2229. I called Lincoln and was told they wouldn’t assist me because I fell outside their time and mileage limits. This issue should have been a recall due to their defective engine design. Engine replacement is very costly and the company should take responsibility for this flaw.

NHTSA ODI 11737706

My vehicle started stuttering & shaking when starting. Then the check engine light came on. It was diagnosed with cylinder 2 & 3 misfire. All spark plugs & coil packs replaced. It got better for about 3 months then the problem came right back. Have replaced coil packs multiple times. Took to dealer who said cylinder misfires were caused from coolant leaking & the only fix was to have engine replaced & quoted $11000. This started at about 95000 miles. Vehicle has had perfect maintenance, all oil changes done on Schedule. Dealer said motor can lock up at any moment & this was a manufacturer error.

NHTSA ODI 11737395

Issue Description: The vehicle developed a check engine light and was diagnosed with a P0302 cylinder #2 misfire. The condition persisted after basic troubleshooting, and the vehicle was taken out of service to prevent further damage. The vehicle was subsequently brought to an authorized Lincoln dealership for diagnostic evaluation. The dealership confirmed that the vehicle requires a full engine replacement due to internal engine failure. The estimated cost of repair is approximately $9,500–$10,000. This failure occurred at approximately 64,000 miles, which is significantly earlier than expected for a major engine failure. Safety Concern: The engine misfire and internal failure can lead to loss of power while driving, creating a potential safety hazard, particularly at highway speeds or during acceleration. Additional Information: Manufacturer technical service bulletins describe coolant intrusion issues in 2.0L EcoBoost engines that can lead to misfires and engine damage. The symptoms experienced in this vehicle are consistent with those described conditions. The manufacturer was contacted for assistance but declined to provide support. Summary: Premature engine failure at low mileage requiring full engine replacement, with symptoms consistent with documented issues affecting this engine type. This condition presents a potential safety concern due to possible loss of power while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11732914

In 2023 antifreeze was found in the engine cylinder chambers causing the engine to run rough. We purchased the repair/replacement of a new head gasket at a cost of 3500.00. Now, it is Apirl 2026 and we have developed the same issue plus internal oil leaking in the turbo. Our repair shop says we need to replace the engine and the turbo unit at approx cost 11,200.00 (parts and labor). We have come to learn that this Ford 2.0L 4cyn EcoBoost engine has been found to have a design defect causing regular head gasket failure. So, this is our complaint about this engine and product built by Ford Motor Company. We have come to realize we own a very unreliable vehicle built by Ford.

NHTSA ODI 11729659

The engine in my 2017 Lincoln MKC (2.0L EcoBoost) has a documented manufacturing defect where the cylinder block design allows coolant to leak into the combustion chambers. This has caused persistent, unexplained coolant loss and rough engine performance on cold starts since February 2025, matching the diagnostic criteria in Ford TSB 19-2346. The defective engine assembly is available for inspection. This condition creates a significant safety hazard, including sudden power loss (Limp Mode) in traffic and a risk of engine fire from cracked cylinder heads. While Ford provided a service program (21N12) for 1.5L engines, they have failed to issue a safety recall for the 2.0L variant despite identical failure modes. This vehicle is part of the class in the consolidated litigation Miller, et al. v. Ford Motor Company (Case No. 2:20-cv-01796). I am filing this to assist NHTSA in determining the necessity of a mandatory safety recall.

NHTSA ODI 11725771

Related to previous recall [XXX] I had the recall repair done. But my car with only 86,744 miles now has coolant in cylinder 3 and it's misfiring so badly the car shouldn't/can't be driven. Dealership says the entire engine needs to be replaced. I have NEVER had a car this low of mileage that an entire engine needed replacement. This is a design flaw in the 2.0 ecoboost and I now have a probably 20,000 or whatever it may have been worth when it ran... Paperweight. It's just sputtering and spitting out loads of smoke as described in original TSB. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11723701

Head gasket leaked coolant into the engine and now the engine is not working and needs replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11721056

At approximately 64,000 miles my engine light came on and I took it to a shop. Cylinder 2 was misfiring so we changed the spark plugs and coils. At 67,000 miles light came on again with same issue and while having my oil changed they noted it was unusually dirty. I changed out plugs and coils again. At 72,000 miles light came on again and I took it to a different shop and learned I had a crack engine block, a problem with these vehicles with ECO boost. I was told I needed a new engine and the only thing I could do was add sealant to buy time. I took it to Lincoln to trade and they refused because of the issue and told me to reset the light and sell to Carmax. I couldn’t do that, it was wrong. I sold it for $1,000 to Nissan because I could no longer afford to be driving my grandson in this unsafe car. Also had a lot of issues with electrical starting from purchase with battery dying and lift gate not working. When I got rid of it the windshield wipers wouldn’t work and radio made aweful static sounds. Horrible car from day 1 purchased brand new.

NHTSA ODI 11714215

After a repair/service visit at a national auto repair chain, my 2017 Lincoln MKC developed ongoing severe drivability and safety issues. The check engine light began flashing (active misfire), and the vehicle was unsafe for highway travel due to risk of loss of power/engine damage. Independent shop documentation reports cylinder #4 misfire (P0304) and additional engine timing-related code(s), low oil condition, and notes indicating internal engine damage and that the engine may require replacement. The vehicle also had a vacuum/brake booster line issue that affected brake assist until corrected. The problem has been confirmed by independent service centers and the vehicle is available for inspection. There was a near crash, but no fire, injury, or police report occurred.

NHTSA ODI 11713672

My Lincoln MKC 2017 is having a recurring problem with a misfire in the 3rd cylinder due to a hood gasket, a crack in the coolant, and leaking on the sparks and coils. I have had my mechanic work on and look at it, and it is a manufacturing defect. When I called, there was no recall listed for my vehicle except the backup camera. However, when you look at Kelly Blue Book, it says there is more than one engine recall and issue, which is exactly what is happening to my Lincoln. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

NHTSA ODI 11710424

The 2017 Lincoln MKC requires a full engine replacement due to a serious, well-documented defect: coolant intrusion. This is a major issue that can destroy critical engine components, including the head gasket, cylinders, and even the engine block. Ford/Lincoln is aware of this problem. They issued multiple TSBs (22-2133 and 22-2229, to name a few), yet customers are not informed. Because there is no recall, if the car is out of warranty, dealers refuse to perform the necessary repairs unless the customer pays tens of thousands of dollars for something that is a known manufacturing defect, leaving them vulnerable to catastrophic engine failure and potential accidents, injuries or worse. This is a known manufacturing defect, and consumers should not bear responsibility for the resulting safety hazards. Ford/Lincoln must take immediate action and issue a recall before it leads to serious injuries or fatalities.

NHTSA ODI 11708894

Engine failure due to known coolant intrusion defect documented under Ford EcoBoost TSB guidance. Denied goodwill assistance despite defect being manufacturing-related.

NHTSA ODI 11703587

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V378000 (ENGINE) and 25V572000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). However, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that while the vehicle started, the interior lights and lights on the instrument panel failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the failure was due to an electrical system failure. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic; however, the independent mechanic referred the contact to the local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the rearview camera displayed a distorted image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11697219

Engine design flaw in the gaskets. Coolant leaking into the cylinders causing misfire. Had to replace the engine. $8000.

NHTSA ODI 11692483

COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE, CAUSING MISFIRES AND ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT ON

NHTSA ODI 11689009

Symptoms consistent with TSB 19-2346 for 2.0L EcoBoost engines: coolant in cylinders, white exhaust smoke and check engine light is on. I have to keep topping off the coolant weekly, engine light comes and goes with same errors. Went to a general mechanic who got error codes PO301-00 AND PO316-00. Currently scheduled next week to see an engine mechanic. Available for inspection upon request. Has not put us in danger yet but is of major concern due to potential for failure, so we are having it seen to ASAP. We don't have a Ford dealership so nearby to go out there with a failing car just to have them verify that yes that is the issue and yes it will be a very expensive repair we could not afford if we did it with them. Despite very low mileage it is still past warranty date, so any goodwill would have to come after we go through the trouble of bringing our vehicle in and hoping for the best. We called and they couldn't even provide any kind of ballpark likelyhood of goodwill.

NHTSA ODI 11688019

I purchased a 2017 Lincoln MKC approximately 90 days ago and recently encountered a check engine light notification with the diagnostic code P303, indicating a misfire in cylinder three. After replacing the fuel injector on that cylinder and completing a tune-up, which included the replacement of all spark plugs and ignition coils, I consulted a new mechanic. They informed me of a potential issue related to engine block intrusion, which reportedly affected other 2.0 L engines from Ford Motor Company within the 2015-2019 model years. As a result, I have been advised to consider replacing the entire engine. Given that I acquired the vehicle as a used model with only 43,000 miles and is now out of warranty, I am facing an out-of-pocket expense of nearly $8,000.

NHTSA ODI 11681747

Engine light came on. Took it to mechanic. Was told there is a well documented mechanical issue affecting my 2017 , MKC. My vehicle is experiencing a misfire and cylinder three accompanied by signs of colon intrusion into the engine, as well as transmission slippage. I have heard these are known and widespread issues in 2015 to 2019 Lincoln MKC models equipped with the 2.0L Eco boost engine. I am aware of several technical service bulletins, including TSB 19-2346 and TBS 22-2229, that detail this defect. Numerous Lincon customers have reported identical issues at similar mileage, often requiring full engine or transmission replacement. My trusted mechanic has verified that my vehicle exhibit symptoms consistent with this engine defect.

NHTSA ODI 11680398

Coolant Intrusion into the cylinder causing overheating. New engine block required. Car has been regularly maintained. Failure occured with no warning.

NHTSA ODI 11680063

I own a 2017 Lincoln MKC 2.0L EcoBoost that suffered a complete engine failure caused by coolant intrusion into the combustion chambers. The vehicle began to misfire, emit thick white smoke, lose power, and quickly became almost undriveable. Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 19-2346 (June 2019), which describes coolant entering cylinders due to a flaw in the cylinder head/block design. This failure is not the result of neglect or normal wear and tear — my vehicle has been maintained according to manufacturer recommendations. Despite this, the engine requires complete replacement at a cost of approximately $9,500. The failure occurred well before what should be the normal service life of an engine, and it matches the same defect pattern reported by many other Lincoln and Ford owners with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine in multiple model years. The coolant intrusion defect creates a serious safety hazard because it can cause sudden, unpredictable loss of engine power while driving. If the defect manifests at highway speeds, the driver may experience immediate power loss, inability to accelerate, or complete engine shutdown — increasing the risk of a collision. Ford/Lincoln have issued internal bulletins to dealers acknowledging this problem but have not initiated a public recall. Many owners have been denied coverage due to warranty expiration, despite this being a manufacturing defect. The result is that numerous vehicles with a dangerous and well-documented engine flaw remain in circulation without corrective action. I believe this defect warrants investigation as it poses both a safety risk to drivers and passengers, and a broader consumer protection concern. Premature catastrophic engine failures on relatively low-mileage vehicles undermine public trust and place owners in severe financial hardship. An NHTSA investigation could compel Ford/Lincoln to issue a recall to address this hazard before more vehicles experience unsafe sudden failure

NHTSA ODI 11679650

The Engine light periodically came on. The coolant was low, but no evidence of a leak. We took the car into be evaluated and to was identified as error code P0304 for cylinder #4. The only way to repair is a new engine. The car has 71000 miles on it. During our research it was identified that this is a known issue to Ford, but this has not been acknowledged as a defect/recall. It was recommended to immediately repair as the engine can stop or the car can lose power /control while driving. The car is no longer under warranty. There are tons of reports of this issue, and 130 reported on this site. This is a danger to those driving or if something would happen on a highway, this could cause an accident at high speeds to the other cars trying to avoid a stopped car. Dealers recommend calling to complain to Ford to attempt to get resolution. And there is a class action lawsuit.

NHTSA ODI 11679599