2016 Lincoln MKC Problems

What owners report

Complaints for this model year cluster around the 2.0L EcoBoost engine: coolant that disappears with no visible leak, white exhaust smoke and, in many cases, a dealer recommendation to replace the engine. Fires in the engine compartment, often in parked vehicles, and a battery-monitor-sensor recall whose remedy parts were unavailable for months also appear repeatedly. Smaller groups of owners write about a distorted or blank rearview camera image and about harsh, shuddering transmission behaviour.

1. 1
   Engine

   Coolant intrusion into engine cylinders (2.0L EcoBoost)

   • 20 complaints (25%)
   • median 82,400 mi at 7.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe a steadily dropping coolant level with no puddle underneath, white smoke from the exhaust, a shaking or misfiring engine with an intermittent check engine light, and sometimes an overheating complaint. Several say the dealer found coolant inside a cylinder and recommended a full engine replacement, and owners of 2.0L cars report being told it is a well-known pattern for this engine. Some repairs were declined because the vehicle was out of warranty or not covered by a recall. Most reports fall between roughly 55,000 and 95,000 miles, with several owners reporting the problem near 120,000 to 160,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the coolant reservoir level and look for white exhaust smoke or a sweet smell on start-up; ask whether a coolant pressure test has been done and whether the engine or head gasket has already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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, filed 2025-05

   “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! …”

   NHTSA complaint #11503269, filed 2023-01
2. 2
   Engine

   Recall notice with no parts available (battery monitor)

   • 16 complaints (20%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners report receiving a recall notice for the battery monitor sensor and then being told by the dealer that the remedy part was not available, with no date given. Most of these owners state they had not yet experienced a failure and were waiting on the repair; a few describe a burning odor, a battery-disconnect message or a no-start condition while still waiting. Complaints span a wide mileage range, from about 47,000 to 155,000 miles in the reports that list mileage.

   Recall 23V378000

   What to check: Ask the dealer whether recall 23V378000 has actually been completed on this vehicle, and get the current remedy status in writing rather than relying on the notice alone.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V378000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle, a message displayed on the instrument panel “Battery disconnected” and the vehicle failed to start. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11551546, filed 2023-10, 47,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V378000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, a burning odor was detected. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer or an independent mechanic. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11528969, filed 2023-06, 155,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Smoke and fire from the engine compartment

   • 13 complaints (16%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 7.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe smoke and flames coming from under the hood, in some cases while the vehicle had been parked and unattended for hours and in others while it was being driven. Several vehicles were towed away and declared a total loss, and one fire department report cited the engine area as the origin. A few additional owners mention a burning odor with no visible cause. Reported at mileages from roughly 95,000 to 128,000 miles in the sampled complaints, including vehicles sitting parked with the engine off.

   Recall 23V378000Recall 16V183000

   What to check: Ask whether any engine-compartment recall work has been done and whether the battery monitor sensor has been replaced; look for discolored or melted wiring and any lingering burnt smell under the hood.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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!! …”

   NHTSA complaint #11479246, filed 2022-08

   “The contact owned a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while an employee was driving at an undisclosed speed, he observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment, prompting him to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection, the employee observed flames emanating from the engine compartment. Local emergency services arrived and were able to extinguish the flames. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11593936, filed 2024-06, 95,000 miles
4. 4
   Back-over prevention (rear camera)

   Rearview camera distorted, glitching or blank

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report that when reverse is selected the screen shows gray static, squiggly horizontal lines, a black image or nothing at all instead of the view behind the car. The problem is often intermittent, and a few owners say the radio or SYNC screen stopped working around the same time. Several mention that the recall repair was unavailable or that the dealer wanted the owner to pay for related work. Reported from about 35,000 to 70,000 miles in the complaints that list mileage, and on at least one much higher-mileage vehicle.

   Recall 25V5720001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Put the car in reverse and watch the screen for a few seconds, then repeat after the car has sat; ask whether recall 25V572000 or the related camera customer-satisfaction program has been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Faulty rear camera system. When reversing the vehicle, the infotainment screen shows a turbulent gray static screen rather than a rear view of the vehicle. Extreme safety concern and hazard. Issue is recurring.”

   NHTSA complaint #11619796, filed 2024-10

   “The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera image was distorted or black. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11633872, filed 2025-01, 35,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh shifting and shudder (torque converter)

   • 12 complaints (15%)
   • median 56,500 mi at 3.8 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe a shudder or momentary loss of power while driving, and shifts that grab or bang into gear hard enough to feel like a bump from behind, often when easing off or onto the throttle at low speed. Some had the torque converter replaced, and a few report that the symptom returned after the transmission was repaired. One owner says a field engineer reproduced the concern but called it normal for the vehicle. Reported from a few thousand miles up to around 60,000 miles, with several complaints filed under 10,000 miles.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive at light throttle from a coast and at low speed to feel for a shudder or clunk, and ask whether the powertrain control module reprogram or any torque converter replacement has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 complaint #11165541, filed 2019-01, 31,300 miles

   “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 complaint #11074541, filed 2018-02, 6,729 miles

Buying note. Have a candidate car inspected for coolant loss and engine-compartment smells, and ask for the recall status on the battery monitor sensor and the rearview camera before buying. Because engine replacement and transmission repairs come up repeatedly, price an extended warranty into the deal.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.