What years of the Lincoln MKC should I avoid?

NHTSA complaint data points to 2017 and 2019 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 75, the two highest in the lineup. Both years are dominated by engine complaints, at 67% and 80% of each year's total.

Is there a best year for the Lincoln MKC?

No. Every MKC model year from 2015 to 2019 is capped by recall campaigns, so none reaches a Good or Best verdict. The lowest-risk years are 2015, 2016, and 2018, all rated Caution.

What is the most common problem with the Lincoln MKC?

Engine problems are the top issue across all model years, accounting for 359 of 594 total complaints, or 60%. Electrical system issues rank second at 13%.

Does the Lincoln MKC have an engine fire recall?

Yes. NHTSA recall 23V378000 covers 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC vehicles for a battery monitor sensor that can short-circuit and overheat, causing an engine compartment fire, and instructs owners to park outside away from structures until repaired.

Why is the 2016 MKC rated Caution instead of Good despite a low complaint index?

The 2016 MKC has a complaint index of only 25, but its verdict is capped to Caution because it has a Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall, the same reasoning applied to 2018.

Lincoln MKC Best and Worst Years (2015–2019)

Avoid the 2017 and 2019 Lincoln MKC, which post the highest complaint indexes (100 and 75) and are dominated by engine complaints (67% and 80% of that year's total). No MKC year earns a Good or Best verdict because every year carries recall campaigns; 2015, 2016, and 2018 are the lowest-risk choices among a weak field.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2017 Avoid 2019Lowest-risk years:Caution 2015 Caution 2016 Caution 2018

Model years: 5; 2015–2019
NHTSA complaints: 594
Recall campaigns: 14
Crashes reported: 19
Fires reported: 12
Top problem area: Engine

MKC Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Lincoln MKC problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2015	Caution	50	131	7	1	12	Engine	22	4★
2016	Caution	25	80	1	7	5	Engine	22	4★
2017	Avoid	100	190	7	2	3	Engine	21.5	4★
2018	Caution	0	74	3	0	4	Engine	21.5	4★
2019	Avoid	75	119	1	2	3	Engine	21.5	4★

MKC years to avoid: what went wrong

2017 Lincoln MKC Index 100 · 190 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2017 MKC has the worst complaint index of the lineup (100) and ranks worst overall. Engine problems make up 67% of complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 75,500 miles. Owners also reported issues with collision avoidance/camera systems (12% of complaints, median 50,000 miles) and electrical faults (11%, median 49,327.5 miles), including a case of a USB charging port catching fire. NHTSA recalls for this year cover a battery monitor sensor fire risk requiring owners to park outside, a rearview camera replacement, and a block heater issue. Some owners also reported unintended acceleration.

2017 engine problems →2017 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2017 electrical system problems →

2019 Lincoln MKC Index 75 · 119 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2019 MKC has a complaint index of 75, the second-worst in the lineup. Engine complaints dominate at 80% of the year's total, with a median failure mileage of 58,555 miles; several owners described smoke and fire from under the hood, including one case where the recall remedy part was not yet available when a fire occurred. Electrical system complaints made up 11% of the total (median 96,000 miles), including a report of complete vehicle shutdown at highway speed. The year carries the same battery monitor sensor fire recall as 2017, plus the camera and block heater recalls.

2019 engine problems →

Most common Lincoln MKC problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Engine359 (60%)
Electrical System75 (13%)
Other65 (11%)
Collision Avoidance & Cameras54 (9%)
Transmission & Powertrain50 (8%)
Fuel System27 (5%)
Structure & Body20 (3%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires19 (3%)
Steering15 (3%)
Airbags11 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Lincoln MKC should I avoid?: NHTSA complaint data points to 2017 and 2019 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 75, the two highest in the lineup. Both years are dominated by engine complaints, at 67% and 80% of each year's total.
Is there a best year for the Lincoln MKC?: No. Every MKC model year from 2015 to 2019 is capped by recall campaigns, so none reaches a Good or Best verdict. The lowest-risk years are 2015, 2016, and 2018, all rated Caution.
What is the most common problem with the Lincoln MKC?: Engine problems are the top issue across all model years, accounting for 359 of 594 total complaints, or 60%. Electrical system issues rank second at 13%.
Does the Lincoln MKC have an engine fire recall?: Yes. NHTSA recall 23V378000 covers 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC vehicles for a battery monitor sensor that can short-circuit and overheat, causing an engine compartment fire, and instructs owners to park outside away from structures until repaired.
Why is the 2016 MKC rated Caution instead of Good despite a low complaint index?: The 2016 MKC has a complaint index of only 25, but its verdict is capped to Caution because it has a Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall, the same reasoning applied to 2018.