2017 Lincoln MKC Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 5 MKC years
The 2017 Lincoln MKC ranks worst (rank 1 of 5) among model years with a Complaint Index of 100, driven mainly by 190 complaints, 67% of them Engine-related. It carries 3 recalls, including one for a battery monitor sensor fire risk, and is rated Avoid relative to other MKC years.
- Complaints
- 190
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 19 city / 25 hwy
Top 2017 Lincoln MKC problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine128 (67%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras22 (12%)
- Other21 (11%)
- Electrical System20 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (5%)
- Brakes4 (2%)
- Fuel System4 (2%)
- Airbags3 (2%)
- Structure & Body3 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration where the vehicle lunges forward or fails to stop when the brake is applied.
- Some drivers describe a burning odor and loss of power linked to a battery issue that a technician said was close to exploding.
- A fire started at the USB charging/sync station in the console, quickly filling the cabin with flames at low mileage.
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple low-speed crashes, including a rear-end collision and a parking-related impact.
- The auto stop/start feature reportedly restarted the engine and engaged the A/C compressor unexpectedly, causing the car to lunge into a stationary object.
- Windshield wipers intermittently stopped working during heavy rain despite cycling the car or changing wiper settings.
2017 Lincoln MKC recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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 driverâs 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.
- NHTSA 23V378000May 26, 2023Engine142,734 vehiclesPark Outside
Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC vehicles. The battery monitor sensor may short-circuit and overheat, causing a fire in the engine compartment while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will add an in-line fuse to the battery monitor sensor power circuit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S28.
2017 Lincoln MKC fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,025
- 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.
2017 compared with other MKC years
Frequently asked questions
- Should I avoid the 2017 Lincoln MKC?
- Among the 5 MKC model years with data, 2017 ranks worst with a Complaint Index of 100 and is labeled Avoid relative to other years. It logged 190 complaints, mostly tied to the Engine.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Lincoln MKC?
- Engine issues dominate, accounting for 128 complaints (67% of the total) and a median failure mileage of 75,500 miles.
- Does the 2017 Lincoln MKC have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2017 MKC, including a battery monitor sensor that may short-circuit and cause an engine compartment fire, plus a rearview camera recall and a block heater issue.
- How does the 2017 MKC compare to other years?
- The 2017 model has a Complaint Index of 100, the highest of the 5 years tracked, versus 0 for 2016 (Best) and 25 for 2018 (Good).
- What fuel economy does the 2017 Lincoln MKC get?
- EPA rates it at 21.5 mpg combined (19 city / 25 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,025.