YearToAvoid

2019 Lincoln MKC Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

50/100

#3 most-complained of 5 MKC years

The 2019 Lincoln MKC has 119 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 50, and 3 recalls, ranking 3rd-worst of 5 model years with a "Caution" verdict. Engine problems dominate at 80% of complaints, including two fires.

Complaints
119
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
1 / 2
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21.5
19 city / 25 hwy

Top 2019 Lincoln MKC problems

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

  1. Engine95 (80%)
  2. Electrical System13 (11%)
  3. Other10 (8%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (6%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain5 (4%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (3%)
  7. Brakes2 (2%)
  8. Fuel System2 (2%)
  9. Structure & Body2 (2%)
  10. Airbags1 (1%)

What owners report

  • Engine compartment fires and smoke reported while driving, sometimes forcing owners to pull over and exit the vehicle.
  • Owners describe an internal engine coolant leak that dealerships reportedly attribute to a known issue but no recall.
  • Vehicles unexpectedly shut down completely while driving on the highway, displaying a shutdown warning on the dashboard.
  • Steering wheel or body vibration between 20 and 45 mph that feels like driving on rumble strips or an open window.
  • Wipers stop working properly or move slowly in wet conditions, sometimes traced to a ground wire issue.
  • Battery monitor sensor recall vehicles catching fire while parked before the repair part was available.
2019 Lincoln MKC complaints: complaints filed per month11Mar 2019Oct 2022Oct 2023Aug 2024Apr 2025Oct 2025Apr 2026
143 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2019 to Sep 2026; peak Feb 2026 (11).

2019 Lincoln MKC recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  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 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

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
2017Avoid100190321.5
2018Good2574421.5
2019Caution50119321.5

All Lincoln MKC years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Lincoln MKC reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 MKC has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 3rd-worst out of 5 model years, earning a "Caution" verdict relative to other MKC years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2019 Lincoln MKC?
Engine issues make up 80% of complaints (95 of 119), with a median failure mileage of 58,555 miles, including two reported fires.
Does the 2019 Lincoln MKC have a fire recall?
Yes. Recall 23V378000 covers a battery monitor sensor that may short-circuit and overheat, causing a fire in the engine compartment while parked or driving; owners are told to park outside until repaired.
How many recalls does the 2019 Lincoln MKC have?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 MKC, covering a block heater issue, a rearview camera replacement, and the battery monitor sensor fire risk.
How does the 2019 MKC compare to other years?
The 2019 MKC (Complaint Index 50, Caution) ranks better than the 2017 (100, Avoid) and 2015 (75, Avoid) but worse than the 2018 (25, Good) and 2016 (0, Best).

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.