2018 Lincoln MKC Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Lincoln MKC has 74 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls, ranked 5th worst of 5 model years, with a Caution verdict capped by a park-outside fire recall. Engine problems dominate at 74% of complaints, with median failure mileage of 60,000 for the engine.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #5 of 5 MKC years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 74
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 19 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2018 Lincoln MKC problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine55 (74%)
- Other6 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (5%)
- Electrical System2 (3%)
- Fuel System2 (3%)
- Lane Departure2 (3%)
- Steering2 (3%)
- Airbags1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine coolant leaks into the combustion chamber, causing misfires and requiring a full engine block replacement.
- Owners report receiving in-vehicle warnings not to exceed a low speed limit due to risk of smoke or fire from the engine.
- Some owners say the same engine defect required replacement in multiple vehicles at the same dealership.
- The rearview camera recall repair was delayed due to lack of parts, and one owner crashed while backing up during that wait.
- The lane departure system reportedly over-corrected steering at highway speed, causing a crash into a median.
- Tires reportedly wore down or developed bubbles and air loss at low mileage, well under 30,000 miles.
2018 Lincoln MKC recalls
4 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.
2018 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.
2018 compared with other MKC years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Lincoln MKC reliable?
- It has 74 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 0, but its verdict is capped at Caution because of a park-outside engine fire recall. Among the 5 model years with data, it ranks 5th worst, meaning it has the fewest reported issues relative to other years.
- What problems does the 2018 Lincoln MKC have?
- Engine problems make up 74% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 60,000. Owners also reported suspension, transmission, and camera issues, each around 5-7% of complaints.
- Does the 2018 Lincoln MKC have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2018 Lincoln MKC, including a park-outside engine fire recall (23V378000) over a battery monitor sensor, plus a brake hose recall and a rearview camera recall.
- How does the 2018 Lincoln MKC compare to other years?
- The 2018 has 74 complaints and 4 recalls, fewer than the 2017 (190 complaints, complaint index 100, Avoid) and 2019 (119 complaints, complaint index 75, Avoid). It ranks as the lowest-complaint year among the 5 years with data, but is still Caution due to the fire recall.