2019 Lincoln MKC Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2019 Lincoln MKC ranks 2nd worst of 5 model years, with a complaint index of 75 and 119 complaints, most tied to engine problems including fires. It carries 3 recalls, including one for a battery monitor sensor that can cause engine-compartment fires, and is rated Avoid.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #2 of 5 MKC years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 119
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 19 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2019 Lincoln MKC problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine95 (80%)
- Electrical System13 (11%)
- Other10 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (3%)
- Brakes2 (2%)
- Fuel System2 (2%)
- Structure & Body2 (2%)
- 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
- Vehicle shuts down completely while driving, sometimes at highway speed, without warning.
- Smoke and fire emerge from under the hood and through the vents, in some cases while driving and in others while parked.
- A battery monitor sensor can short-circuit and overheat, leading to an engine-compartment fire even before recall repair parts became available.
- Constant vibration or shaking occurs at highway speed, described as similar to driving over rumble strips.
- Windshield wipers slow down or stop working in wet weather, sometimes traced to a ground wire issue.
- Owners report an internal coolant leak in the engine that dealerships did not initially address with a recall.
2019 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.
2019 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.
2019 compared with other MKC years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Lincoln MKC reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 MKC has a complaint index of 75, the second-highest among the 5 model years with data, and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other MKC years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2019 Lincoln MKC?
- Engine problems dominate, making up 80% of complaints (95 of 119), including reports of smoke and fire, with a median mileage at failure of 58,555 miles.
- Does the 2019 Lincoln MKC have a recall for fires?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 23V378000 covers a battery monitor sensor that may short-circuit and overheat, causing a fire in the engine compartment while parked or driving, and tells owners to park outside until repaired.
- How does the 2019 MKC compare to other years?
- NHTSA data shows the 2019 model's complaint index of 75 is worse than the 2015 (50), 2016 (25), and 2018 (0) model years, and second only to the 2017 model year's index of 100.