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Lincoln · NHTSA safety record

2017 Lincoln MKC

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 191 safety complaints about the 2017 Lincoln MKC with the US government. Of those, 7 describe a crash, 2 mention a fire, 2 people were injured and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 110 complaints, 58% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 63,000 miles, the median across the 60 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers June 2017 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

191 complaints on file

191

Complaints

7

Describe a crash

2

Mention fire

2

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints rose 37% year on year: 56 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 41 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 110 · 58%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 22 · 12%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 21 · 11%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 20 · 10%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20 · 10%
POWER TRAIN 10 · 5%
AIR BAGS 3 · 2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 3 · 2%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 · 2%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 3 · 2%
WHEELS 3 · 2%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 2 · 1%
0 46 92

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 191.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 51.

56 42 28 14
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2017 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2017 Lincoln MKC, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 16.9% 16.4%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

25V685000 · October 10, 2025

The defect
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.
The risk
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 59,006 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

25V572000 · September 4, 2025

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,456,417 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE

23V378000 · May 26, 2023

Park outside until repaired

The defect
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.
The risk
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 142,734 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 63,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 LINCOLN MKC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON A MAIN ROAD, A VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CUT HER OFF TURNING INTO HER LANE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE MAIN ROAD. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BONE BRUISES IN HER STERNUM AND DISPLACED RIBS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. *DT*DT

NHTSA complaint 11399135. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 injured · 8,000 miles

THE CAR WAS NOT ON. IT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF A RESIDENTIAL HOME. THE LIFT GATE WAS OPEN. THE ARM THAT LIFTS AND SUPPORTS THE LIFT GATE BROKE SUDDENLY. IT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION AND A LARGE PRESSURIZED SPRING (GREATER THAN 2 FEET IN LENGTH) PROPELLED FROM THE LIFT GATE ARM. THIS SPRING STRUCK A CHILD IN THE FACE WITH SO MUCH FORCE THAT IT KNOCKED HIM DOWN, WITH CUTS AND BRUISED TO THE CHILD'S FACE (NEAR THE EYES). THE FORCE OF THE SPRING ALSO CAUSED A DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER. IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN, IT HAS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT BODILY HARM.

NHTSA complaint 11045083. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire · 9,800 miles

USB CHARGING AND SNYC CONNECTION STATION AT THE BOTTOM OF CONSOLE CAUGHT FIRE AND WITHIN A COUPLE OF MINUTES THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. BARELY ESCAPED WITH MY LIFE.

NHTSA complaint 11001858. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire · 80,000 miles

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while driving, a burning odor was detected as the vehicle lost power. Upon the contact's arrival at home, her fiancé called AAA service. Where upon inspection the AAA technician diagnosed the vehicle with a battery issue stating that the was about to explode. No warning lights were illuminated. The battery was replaced by the however the contact stated that the vehicle continued to have electrical problems. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V378000 (Engine) however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer or dealer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA complaint 11632421. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
My 2017 Lincoln MKC equipped with the 2.0L EcoBoost has recently experienced a serious engine failure and requires engine replacement. It developed an engine problem while driving on at least two occasions and is no longer reliable or safe to operate. No prior warning messages were observed on the vehicle. Fortunately, I was able to pull over on the side of the road and I observed smoke coming from the engine. I was then concerned about the safety of an unexpected engine failure while driving, which might cause the vehicle to stop in traffic. I have now observed green/milky contamination on the engine oil dipstick. The vehicle requires further diagnostic evaluation and engine replacement by

NHTSA complaint 11767096, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

101,989 miles

The contact's wife owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine was running rough. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the #3 cylinder and spark plug had seized and there was water intrusion into the engine. Upon further investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Action Number: DP26008. The contact stated that the engine was previously replaced by an independent mechanic with parts from the local authorized dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 101,989.

NHTSA complaint 11764929. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I own a Lincoln Mkc 2017 - purchased on 2/19/19 with 12miles I have replaced 4 batteries over the years so far. I drive every day. I am never sure if the car will start. Multiple times i have a dead battery. Lincoln has a problem with this module and the electrical system. parasitic drainage issues on the battery. I don't feel safe, because there is an "unknown" draining the battery, therefore I am scared to drive the car and don't want to keep getting stranded. They have discontinued this make and model, but I am seeing the same complaints with the Corsair. My car only has 53k miles, it is in excellent condition. But unfortunately, i cannot rely on this car. I don't know what to do.

NHTSA complaint 11762103. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Check engine light on. Codes P0316, P0300, P0301, P0302. Technician confirmed via scope coolant intrusion on cylinder 1 and 2. Technician stated it is known issue with this engine and recommends a new engine for $16,169.92. This has been an ongoing issue for the past two years.

NHTSA complaint 11757136. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
My husband and I own a 2017 Lincoln MKZ that was purchase new in 2018. It is equipped with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine, with approximately 69,000 miles. It has been meticulously cared for! Before the diagnosis, I noticed that when starting the vehicle and backing up, the engine would jerk slightly until I stepped on the accelerator to proceed. The check engine light then came on, which prompted me to take the vehicle to the Lincoln dealer for diagnosis. The servicing Ford/Lincoln dealer, Sugar Loaf Ford in [XXX], examined the vehicle and found coolant in a cylinder. We have been advised that the engine requires replacement. I am concerned because this appears consistent with reported

NHTSA complaint 11756940, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Coolant intrusion into number 2 cylinder requiring full engine replacement of my 2017 my 2.0l eco boost engine

NHTSA complaint 11756792. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Lincoln MKC

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2019 121 3 —
2018 74 4 —
2016 80 5 —
2015 131 12 —

Other 2017 Lincoln models

MKZ 139 Continental 75 MKX 52 Navigator 31 MKZ Hybrid 17

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Lincoln on this site — 85 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst