2017 Lincoln MKC Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2017 Lincoln MKC most often report engine problems, especially coolant getting into the cylinders and leading to misfires and, in many cases, engine replacement. A large share of the sampled complaints were filed after the vehicle passed 60,000 miles, and some owners also describe trouble getting recall repairs scheduled because parts were not yet available. Rearview camera failures and transmission or drivability complaints appear less often in the sample.

1. 1
   Engine

   Coolant intrusion into engine (low coolant, white smoke)

   • 83 complaints (43%)
   • median 89,900 mi at 7.5 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $8,405 (median of 16 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe losing coolant with no visible leak, the low-coolant or overheat message appearing, white smoke from the exhaust and a rough-running or shuddering engine. Complaints say dealers or independent shops traced this to coolant entering a cylinder through a cracked block or failed gasket and often recommended engine replacement. Some owners report being told the vehicle was out of warranty and that no assistance was offered. Mostly reported between roughly 30,000 and 110,000 miles, with many cases in the 40,000-100,000 mile range.

   Recall 25V6850004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant reservoir level and look for white exhaust smoke or a sweet smell at the tailpipe; ask whether the coolant system has been pressure-tested and whether any engine work was done. A service bulletin describes low coolant, white smoke and rough running on 2.0L EcoBoost engines, so ask whether that diagnostic procedure was ever performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “First noticed the problem when I had no heat blowing from my heater, (car was not overheating or anything), I checked my antifreeze and it was low so I added it and I had heat in my car again. Four days later, I had the same thing happen, no antifreeze (and again nothing showing my car overheating), added antifreeze and had heat again. Parked my car on a cement driveway and observed no antifreeze leaking, but there was a very strong and horrible smell of antifreeze burning coming from my exhaust also, think white smoke coming from the exhaust. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11161433, filed 2018-12, 49,852 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds with the heater in the on position, the vehicle overheated. The temperature gauge increased to the highest level. The engine was overheating, and the message was displayed. The contact had to turn the heater off. The contact called the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an engine replacement was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11587133, filed 2024-05, 100,000 miles
2. 2
   Back-over prevention (rear camera)

   Rearview camera blank or distorted in reverse

   • 16 complaints (8%)
   • median 62,500 mi at 8.9 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners report that when shifting into reverse the rearview image is blank, blurry, blue, distorted or replaced by a "Camera Unavailable" message, sometimes intermittently. Several complaints mention receiving notice of a recall for the camera but being told the part was not yet available, and some describe the warning chime not alerting them to objects behind the vehicle. Reported from about 30,000 to 76,000 miles, typically during everyday reversing and parking.

   Recall 25V5720001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Shift into reverse and confirm the camera image is clear and stable, and ask whether the rearview camera recall work has been completed. A customer satisfaction program covers one-time camera replacement on affected vehicles.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera was inoperable and the message Camera Unavailable was displayed. Occasionally, the rearview camera displayed a blue image. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11697173, filed 2025-11, 50,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rear-view camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rear-view camera image was blurry. Occasionally, the message Camera Not Available was displayed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer sent a technician to the residence to diagnose the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11729436, filed 2026-04, 76,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Misfires and rough running with check engine light

   • 57 complaints (30%)
   • median 63,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $6,750 (median of 12 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the check engine light coming on, a shudder or rough idle, and poor acceleration. Complaints say shops replaced spark plugs, ignition coils or cleaned carbon deposits, but in several cases the misfire returned and the dealer then determined the engine needed replacement. Some owners link the misfire to coolant reaching a cylinder. Spread from around 26,000 to 190,000 miles, often noticed on startup or during moderate-speed driving.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records showing whether plugs and coils were replaced and whether the misfire was resolved or recurred. A scan for stored misfire and cam-timing codes before purchase is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle intermittently shuddered. The check engine warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11646762, filed 2025-03, 100,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the #2 and #3 spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, two days after the repair, the check engine warning light illuminated again, and the engine started to overheat. The contact checked to coolant level and discovered there was no coolant in the coolant reservoir. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11669809, filed 2025-06, 70,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   No-start, battery and electrical concerns

   • 21 complaints (11%)
   • median 71,500 mi at 7.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle failing to start or crank, battery warnings and messages about the battery monitor sensor, and in some cases interior or instrument lights not working. Some complaints mention a burning odor and a battery needing replacement, and others note receipt of an engine-compartment fire-related recall with parts not yet available. Reported across a wide mileage spread, from about 35,000 up to 130,000 miles.

   Recall 23V3780002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the battery monitor sensor recall has been performed and check the battery's age and condition. Note any repeated dead-battery or no-crank history in the service records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated while driving 25-35 MPH, the battery monitor sensor message was displayed approximately every five minutes, and the battery warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11656029, filed 2025-04, 130,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while driving, a burning odor was detected as the vehicle lost power. Upon the contact's arrival at home, her fiancé called AAA service. Where upon inspection the AAA technician diagnosed the vehicle with a battery issue stating that the was about to explode. No warning lights were illuminated. The battery was replaced by the however the contact stated that the vehicle continued to have electrical problems. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11632421, filed 2024-12, 80,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, shudder or harsh shifting

   • 10 complaints (5%)
   • median 81,000 mi at 3.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners report the transmission slipping between gears, a banging or clunking noise during shifts, and shuddering while driving. Complaints mention independent shops or dealers diagnosing internal transmission or torque converter problems, with repair costs described as high and little assistance offered. Generally reported between about 80,000 and 112,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test-drive at low and highway speeds listening for clunks or shudder, and ask whether the transmission or torque converter has been serviced. A service bulletin describes vibration, shudder and low performance conditions, so ask if any powertrain reprogramming was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The transmission on my 2017 MKC developed a slipping issue at around 81000 miles. This occurred first in the range of 25-35 MPH. Now it seems to have broadened. Had the car inspected by sanderson Lincoln in phoenix, az. Their initial determination was a new transmission or a rebuild. Cost is excessive. Dealer and manufacturer not willing to really help.”

   NHTSA complaint #11291738, filed 2019-12, 81,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle from second to third gear, there was an abnormal banging sound heard. The transmission was slipping gear while driving at various speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the transmission was slipping when shifting from second to third gear. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11541684, filed 2023-08, 100,100 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the cooling system and engine, including a coolant pressure test and a check for white exhaust smoke, since coolant intrusion is the most frequently reported problem. Also confirm whether the rearview camera and battery monitor sensor recalls have been completed, and review service records for transmission work.

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.