YearToAvoid

2016 Lincoln MKC Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2016 Lincoln MKC has 80 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 25, and 5 recalls, ranking 4th worst out of 5 model years. Its verdict is Caution, capped because of a Park Outside recall for a battery monitor sensor fire risk, even though its complaint index is relatively low.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
25/100
#4 of 5 MKC years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
80
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
5
1 Park Outside
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
7
Injuries
1
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2015
lowest-risk (no Good/Best year)
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22
19 city / 26 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2016 Lincoln MKC problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine47 (59%)
  2. Electrical System13 (16%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain12 (15%)
  4. Other10 (13%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (6%)
  6. Steering5 (6%)
  7. Fuel System4 (5%)
  8. Structure & Body3 (4%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (4%)
  10. Brakes2 (3%)

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

What owners report

  • Engine compartment fires reported both while parked and while driving, in some cases with flames visible before smoke was noticed.
  • Transmission jerks, bangs, or lurches when accelerating from a coast or decelerating toward a stop, sometimes described as feeling like being rear-ended.
  • Vehicle stalled while driving with a 'shift system fault' warning appearing on the instrument panel.
  • Driver's seat felt unstable and shifted with an audible pop when turning corners.
  • Headlights blocked by fender trim reduced visibility on inclines, both on dim and bright settings.
  • Front airbag failed to deploy during a frontal collision at highway speed.
2016 Lincoln MKC complaints: complaints filed per quarter92016 Q12018 Q12019 Q32021 Q42023 Q22024 Q22025 Q32026 Q3
80 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2023 Q4 (9).

2016 Lincoln MKC recalls

5 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 25V685000Oct 10, 2025Other59,006 vehicles

    Equipment:electrical:engine block heater

    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.

    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 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 September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

  3. 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.

See all 5 recalls for the 2016 Lincoln MKC →

2016 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.

2016 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
2015Caution501311222
2016Caution2580522
2017Avoid100190321.5
2018Caution074421.5

All Lincoln MKC years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Lincoln MKC reliable?
NHTSA data shows 80 complaints and a complaint index of 25 for the 2016 MKC, which ranks 4th worst among the 5 model years with data. Its verdict is Caution, largely due to a Park Outside recall rather than complaint volume alone.
What is the top problem area for the 2016 Lincoln MKC?
Engine problems make up 59% of complaints (47 of 80), with a median mileage at failure of 82,193 miles, and account for 5 of the 7 reported fires.
Does the 2016 Lincoln MKC have a fire recall?
Yes. Recall 23V378000 covers a battery monitor sensor that may short-circuit and overheat, causing an engine compartment fire while parked or driving; owners are told to park outside and away from structures until repaired.
How does the 2016 MKC compare to other MKC years?
The 2016 has a complaint index of 25, lower than 2015 (50), 2017 (100), and 2019 (75), but higher than 2018 (0). It ranks 4th worst out of 5 years overall.
How many recalls affect the 2016 Lincoln MKC?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2016 MKC, including engine block heater, rearview camera, and battery monitor sensor fire issues.

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.