YearToAvoid

2015 Lincoln MKC Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

75/100

#2 most-complained of 5 MKC years

The 2015 Lincoln MKC ranks 2nd worst of 5 model years, with a complaint index of 75, 131 complaints, and 12 recalls. Engine problems (26% of complaints) and electrical issues (21%) dominate, with median failure mileage around 49,200 miles.

Complaints
131
Recalls
12
Crashes / fires
7 / 1
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22
19 city / 26 hwy

Top 2015 Lincoln MKC problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine34 (26%)
  2. Electrical System27 (21%)
  3. Other18 (14%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain18 (14%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras16 (12%)
  6. Fuel System15 (11%)
  7. Structure & Body11 (8%)
  8. Airbags5 (4%)
  9. Steering5 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (4%)

What owners report

  • Vehicles have stalled suddenly while driving at highway speeds, sometimes restarting on their own.
  • Owners report the check battery light illuminating followed by a sudden stall, in one case traced to a faulty alternator.
  • The engine compartment has caught fire while the vehicle sat parked in a garage, with smoke and flames visible near the windshield line.
  • Airbags have failed to deploy or only partially deployed during low-speed and intersection crashes, in some cases resulting in injury.
  • Electrical systems have shut down while driving, cutting displays, headlights, wipers, and steering assist during operation.
  • The transmission has failed to engage park reliably after coming to a stop.
2015 Lincoln MKC complaints: complaints filed per quarter172014 Q32016 Q22018 Q12019 Q32021 Q32023 Q22025 Q3
163 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2023 Q3 (17).

2015 Lincoln MKC recalls

12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V011000Jan 15, 2026Other116,672 vehicles

    Equipment:electrical:engine block heater

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. 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.

    Remedy: 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 plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 25V572000Sep 3, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,456,417 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    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.

    Remedy: 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, 2025.

  3. NHTSA 25V270000Apr 23, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras160,729 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 F-250, F-350, F-450, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and MKC vehicles. The rearview camera printed circuit board terminal header connector may be loose or damaged, which can result in a blank or distorted image.

    Risk: A blank or distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S42. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-082.

See all 12 recalls for the 2015 Lincoln MKC →

2015 Lincoln MKC fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
26 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,950
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2015 compared with other MKC years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020152016201720182019
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Avoid751311222
2016Best080522
2017Avoid100190321.5

All Lincoln MKC years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Lincoln MKC a bad year?
NHTSA data gives the 2015 MKC a complaint index of 75 and a rank of 2nd worst out of 5 model years, with a verdict of Avoid relative to other MKC years.
What is the top problem area for the 2015 Lincoln MKC?
Engine complaints account for 26% of all complaints (34 of 131), with a median failure mileage of 49,004 miles. Electrical system complaints follow at 21%.
Does the 2015 Lincoln MKC have engine fire recalls?
Yes. NHTSA recall 23V378000 covers a battery monitor sensor that may short-circuit and overheat, causing an engine compartment fire, and advises parking outside away from structures until repaired.
How many recalls does the 2015 Lincoln MKC have?
NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 2015 Lincoln MKC, covering areas including the engine, structure and body, and collision avoidance cameras.
How does the 2015 MKC compare to other years?
The 2015 MKC's complaint index of 75 is worse than 2016 (0, Best), 2018 (25, Good), and 2019 (50, Caution), but better than 2017 (100, Avoid).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.