CSR
Check a VIN

Look up

About

Lincoln · NHTSA safety record

2018 Lincoln MKC

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

70

Complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2018 Lincoln MKC have filed 70 safety complaints with NHTSA between May 2018 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 43 of them (61%). The typical failure was reported at 49,500 miles, the median across the 24 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Complaints rose by half year on year: 27 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 14 in the twelve before.

NHTSA has issued 4 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (4)

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

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

18V104000 · February 12, 2018

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape and Lincoln MKC vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with incorrect front brake hoses that may chafe against other components, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
The risk
A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake hoses, replacing any that are incorrect, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S04.

Ford Motor Company · up to 88 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 70.

ENGINE 43 61%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9 13%
POWER TRAIN 5 7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 7%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 4 6%
WHEELS 4 6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2 3%
LANE DEPARTURE 2 3%
STEERING 2 3%
AIR BAGS 1 1%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 1%
EQUIPMENT 1 1%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 25.

2018 2025 2026
2018 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

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

STEERING

3 injured · crash · towed · 2,382 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 LINCOLN MKC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE LANE DEPARTURE SAFETY FEATURE ACTIVATED TO CORRECT THE VEHICLE FROM VEERING OUT OF THE LANE. THE LANE DEPARTURE FEATURE STEERED THE VEHICLE TOO FAR TO THE LEFT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE MEDIAN AND FLIP OVER. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE, BUT THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION. THE DRIVER, FRONT SEAT PASSENGER, AND REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER ALL SUSTAINED HEAD, NECK, AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (MOUNTAINEER LINCOLN IN BECKLEY, WV) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE

NHTSA complaint 11091224, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 injured · crash · towed · 42,000 miles

The contact owned a 2018 Lincoln MKC. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse out of their driveway in the rain at approximately 2 MPH, the back-over prevention camera display of the rear view of the vehicle was distorted, and the contact was only able to see a black image. The contact was unable to identify what the image was, and the back-over prevention system did not notify the contact of any objects with its chime/alarm. The

NHTSA complaint 11696082, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

crash · 10,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 LINCOLN MKC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL AWAY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REENTER THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE CONTACT FELL AND SUSTAINED SEVERAL BRUISES AND MINOR CUTS. THE CONTACT WAS CERTAIN THAT THE SHIFT LEVER WAS SWITCHED TO THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HERITAGE LINCOLN INC LOCATED AT 900 W GENESEE ST, SYRACUSE, NY 13204, (315)472-4534 TO BE DIAGNOSED, HOWEVER THE RESULT WAS STILL PENDING. THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THERE WAS NO ADDITIONAL

NHTSA complaint 11221636, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

towed · 92,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to start the vehicle however, the message "Engine Coolant Over Temperature" was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.

NHTSA complaint 11631264. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
I am experiencing a coolant-intrusion problem with my 2018 Lincoln MKC, equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle has only 63,900 miles. •The check-engine light repeatedly came on and went off over a two-week period. •A Lincoln dealer performed a diagnostic evaluation and identified the same problem reported in other Ford and Lincoln vehicles with this engine. •An independent automotive service provider confirmed the diagnosis and advised me that Ford had issued a service bulletin addressing this exact issue. •Both assessments indicated that the engine needs to be replaced. When I asked the dealer what could happen if I did not replace the engine, I was warned of serious safety

NHTSA complaint 11754417, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2018 Lincoln MKC has an exhaust leak. Ford and the dealership told me it was safe to drive, but I did not drive it because exhaust leaks can cause carbon monoxide exposure. My vehicle has been at the dealership since January 19, 2026 waiting for a warranty exhaust part. I have an email showing the part was ordered, but Ford still has not supplied it. The vehicle has been out of service for over six months and Ford denied my buyback request.

NHTSA complaint 11754051. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

37,500 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that there was coolant leaking into the engine, causing a misfire. The contact was informed that the long block needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact not to drive the vehicle out of town and stated that the vehicle might stall while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,500.

NHTSA complaint 11754060. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Misfiring and then smoke in tail pipe. Just hit 70,000 miles and the engine needs replacing. A defect that's been known since I bought the car.

NHTSA complaint 11748109. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
I am thoroughly disappointed and overwhelmed. My vehicle has 122,000 miles on it. Yes that may be considered many for some but this vehicle has been taken care of extensively and all routine scheduled maintenance has been performed. I purchased from Preston Ford in Pittsville, MD and the vehicle had 48000 miles as a used vehicle. I have had many minor issues,(fuel flap), A/C issues and 2 recalls for back up camera and the vehicle had a recall stating the car may catch on fire so don't park near other structures. Supposedly both recalls were taken care of by the seller of my vehicle. Now I am told I need a new engine, my engine light came on and I thought it was the purge valve assembly. Now

NHTSA complaint 11748159, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Check engine light came on. Next day had a diagnostic run on it and found the coolant intrusion into cylinder 2. A new TSB 19-2208 was recommended. Talked with dealership and they advised to contact Ford Customer Care, who had Roadside Assistance come and pick up the 2018 Lincoln MKC and take to dealership. Dealership called to advise that the cost to me would be $9400!!!. Called Ford Customer Care again and was told that there is no recall or program to assist with repair, BUT....if enough people make a call in then down the road there "might" be a recall. My info will go to Corporate, however, being as the car is years, 9 months old --there probably won't be any help. My vehicle ONLY has

NHTSA complaint 11740666, quoted in part. 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 113 3 —
2017 188 3 —
2016 78 5 —
2015 130 12 —

Other 2018 Lincoln models

Navigator 50 MKZ 32 MKX 29 Continental 18

Every Lincoln on this site — 84 vehicles, 269 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

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. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

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