2018 Lincoln Mkc problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (40) · Engine And Engine Cooling (10) · Power Train (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lincoln Mkc model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
26 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater 2025-10-10 · campaign 25V685000 · 59,006 vehicles
Defect: 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 December 2026. Owners may contact Ford
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2025-09-03 · campaign 25V572000 · 1,456,417 vehicles
Defect: 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, 202
Engine 2023-05-26 · campaign 23V378000 · 142,734 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2018-02-12 · campaign 18V104000 · 88 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape and Lincoln MKC vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with incorrect front brake hoses that may chafe against other components, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
Risk: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake hoses, replacing any that are incorrect, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S04.
Service bulletins (121)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-05-09 · 25B51 · Other
certain 2021-2024 model year bronco, 2021-2024 model year bronco sport, 2020-2022 model year corsair and escape, 2016-2024 model year explorer, 2019-2020 model year fusion, 2016-2018 model year focus rs, 2022-2024 model year maverick, 2016-2019 model year mkc and 2019-2024 model year ranger vehicles
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-20 · 25N15 S1 · Other
customer satisfaction program 25n15 - supplement #1 certain 2015-2019 model year multiple vehicle lines rear view camera inspection for one-time replacement
Electrical System 2025-11-26 · TSB 25-2570 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article supersedes tsb 24-2165 to update the tsb service procedure. some vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit various sync performance related concerns including but not limited to: display operation concerns navigation inoperative voice recognition concerns phone co
Power Train 2025-11-12 · SSM 54366 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2015-2021 ford and lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated mil with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0011, p0012, p0014, p0015, p0016, p0017, p0018, p0019, p0021, p0022, p0024 and/or p0025. pinpoint test hk in the powertrain control and emissions diagnosis (pc/ed) or in section 303-14 of th
Unknown Or Other 2025-01-24 · TSB 25-2005 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: • customer concern of a vibration or rough idle in d or r • shudder while driving • lack of engine rpm • low performance, lack of acceleration on take off"
Unknown Or Other 2024-10-10 · SSM 53040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 ford and lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
Showing the 6 most recent of 121 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-29 · Engine · 70,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 lincoln mkc. the contact called on behalf of his wife who stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was an eco boost coolant intrusion and that the spark plugs and coils needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired …”
2026-10-07 · Power Train“rough idle at start up persisted as i got onto the road and caused near complete loss of drivability as "check engine" light appeared for the first time. had towed to mechanic who replaced coils and plugs. one month later, check engine light appeared again. brought back to mechanic who looked it over and said it was fine. two weeks later, third…”
2026-10-06 · Service Brakes“the abs brake module caused the brakes to lock up causing major damage to the right front brake assembly. car was towed to the ford/lincoln dealer. dealer said additional brakes also were locked up. the car had to be put on dollies so it could moved to a service bay. no warning lights came on. if this had happened at a higher speed it would have…”
2026-09-18 · Engine“engine has a known defect causing coolant to leak into cylinders. car is not safe to drive as car can overheat, blow gasket, loose power, catch fire while operating. …”
2026-09-16 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 73,617 mi“the contact owns a 2018 lincoln mkc. the contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle, the engine misfired. the dealer was notified of the failure. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that coolant intrusion had resulted in the engine failure, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. the manufa…”
2026-09-11 · Engine“i own a 2018 lincoln mkc equipped with the 2.0l ecoboost engine. the vehicle currently has approximately 72,326 miles. the check-engine light initially illuminated and an obd scan produced code p0303, indicating a misfire in cylinder 3. no other diagnostic codes were reported. following mechanical evaluation, all four spark plugs and ignition coil…”
2026-09-01 · Engine“my engine failed. at the time i did not know this. i was driving to work, and although i knew i was not out of gas according to the gas gauge, i thought maybe something was wrong with the gauge when my lincoln began to putter like when you are running out of gas. i was approaching a stop light in the left turn lane when the car died. which could ha…”
2026-08-03 · Engine“i am experiencing a coolant-intrusion problem with my 2018 lincoln mkc, equipped with a 2.0l ecoboost engine. the vehicle has only 63,900 miles. •the check-engine light repeatedly came on and went off over a two-week period. •a lincoln dealer performed a diagnostic evaluation and identified the same problem reported in other ford and lincoln vehicl…”
2026-07-31 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 37,500 mi“the contact owns a 2018 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 and determined that there was coolant leaking into the engine, causing a misfire. the contact was informed that the long block needed to be replaced.…”
2026-07-31 · Unknown Or Other“my 2018 lincoln mkc has an exhaust leak. ford and the dealership told me it was safe to drive, but i did not drive it because exhaust leaks can cause carbon monoxide exposure. my vehicle has been at the dealership since january 19, 2026 waiting for a warranty exhaust part. i have an email showing the part was ordered, but ford still has not supplie…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.