2016 Lincoln MKC recalls and problems

The 2016 Lincoln MKC has 5 safety recalls and 82 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Lincoln dealer.

Urgent: recall 23V-378 carries a "park outside" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
5
Complaints
82
Crashes / fires
1 / 7
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2016 Lincoln MKC vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2016 Lincoln MKC recalls

Recall 26V-011: Equipment

Reported Jan 15, 2026 · 116,672 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. 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.

Fix: 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 plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.

Recall 25V-685: Equipment

Reported Oct 10, 2025 · 59,006 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 December 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.

Recall 25V-572: Back Over Prevention

Reported Sep 3, 2025 · 1,456,417 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 23V-378: Engine

Park outsideReported May 26, 2023 · 142,734 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 16V-183: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Mar 31, 2016 · 1,543 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured November 25, 2013, to January 25, 2016, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured October 20, 2014, to January 28, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with 2.3L GTDI engines and engine block heaters. These engine block heaters have elements that may overheat while plugged in.

Risk: Overheating of the engine block increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and replace the electrical cord, as necessary. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S14. Note: Owners should not use the engine block heater until the vehicle has been remedied.

2016 Lincoln MKC problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine42
Power Train12
Electrical System12
Unknown or Other9
Engine and Engine Cooling7
Steering5
Back Over Prevention4
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Exterior Lighting3
Wheels3
Structure2
Vehicle Speed Control2

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 2
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 1
  • Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 69,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2016 Lincoln MKC complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Sep 22, 2026
I purchased this vehicle 3 weeks ago from CarMax Brooklyn Park, MN. Within 50 miles of driving, the vehicle threw a Ford Diagnostic Trouble Code P1450 indicating a Unable to bleed up fuel tank vacuum( excessive vacuum in the fuel tank). This defect causes an improper fuel tank vacuum, presenting an immediate engine stalling hazard at highway speeds. Concurrently, the vehicle has a very noticeable floorboard/chassis vibration at 60+ mph when releasing the foot of accelerator, making highway operation highly unstable. CarMax's warranty service department at Brooklyn Park has actively denied…
Steering · reported Aug 26, 2026
The vehicle displayed service advanced track, hill assist and traction control warning lights and immediately locks up steering and jars the steering wheel pulling vehicle to left or right abruptly before returning to normal. It has continued to happen and I’ve taken the vehicle to the dealership numerous times and they state they are unable to replicate yet it continues to happen and codes .this vehicle is throwing codes consistently and kicks off traction control. It’s almost caused me to hit another vehicle and a few of the cement barrier’s and put me in ditch a few times since the…
Electrical System · reported Aug 14, 2026
Two years waiting for recall repair (rear-backup camera). Lincoln Mfg notified that a pending recall/repair for driver's rear-camera was required. As of 08/14/2026 the repair has not been performed by Lincoln Mfg or it's agents. Rear-camera fails to work consistanly and is a danger to pedestrians. Local dealerships (Sedano Lincoln, Arron Ford , and Pacific beach Ford) have failed to repair the known camera issue upon inspection. My only recourse is contract an independent technician to make the vehicle safe to operate.
Back Over Prevention · at 56,000 miles · reported May 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact took the vehicle for a recall repair for notice received NHTSA Campaign Number 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention). The dealer advised the contact that they had to go through the radio to complete the recall repair but this would be at the owners expense. The contact stated that the radio went out when the rearview camera went out. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact believes that the issue with the radio is related to the recall. The approximate failure mileage 56,000.
Engine · reported May 15, 2026
My 2016 Lincoln MKC with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine experienced coolant intrusion into cylinder 3, leading to engine misfire and check engine light to turn on. The dealership confirmed the issue for $176.55 and recommended a full long block engine replacement, estimated at over $11,000. This failure occurred at 98,000 miles. Two weeks before this, the check engine light illuminated and we took it to a repair shop where we paid $628 to repair the purge valve and fuel pressure sensor, while it was most likely this coolant intrusion both times! Ford and Lincoln (including concierge) have refused any…

Other Lincoln MKC years

Compare all Lincoln MKC years · All Lincoln models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Lincoln MKC have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Lincoln MKC: 26V-011 (equipment), 25V-685 (equipment), 25V-572 (back over prevention), 23V-378 (engine), 16V-183 (engine and engine cooling). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Lincoln MKC?

Owners report engine problems most often (42 reports), followed by power train (12). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 69,000 miles.

Are Lincoln recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Lincoln dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.