2018 Lincoln MKC recalls and problems

The 2018 Lincoln MKC has 4 safety recalls and 79 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
4
Complaints
79
Crashes / fires
3 / 0
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2018 Lincoln MKC vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2018 Lincoln MKC recalls

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 18V-104: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Feb 12, 2018 · 88 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Risk: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

2018 Lincoln MKC problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine49
Engine and Engine Cooling11
Power Train6
Unknown or Other5
Back Over Prevention5
Wheels4
Steering2
Lane Departure2
Electrical System2
Air Bags1
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)1
Tires1

Most reported parts

  • Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs — 2
  • Lane Departure › Lane Keep › Automatic Steering — 1
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery — 1
  • Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection — 1
  • Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking — 1
  • Back Over Prevention › Warnings — 1
  • Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 50,400 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 2018 Lincoln MKC complaints

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

Engine · at 70,000 miles · reported Oct 29, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKC. The contact called on behalf of his wife who stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was an eco boost coolant intrusion and that the spark plugs and coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a blown head gasket that needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was…
Engine · reported Oct 7, 2026
Rough idle at start up persisted as I got onto the road and caused near complete loss of drivability as "check engine" light appeared for the first time. Had towed to mechanic who replaced coils and plugs. One month later, check engine light appeared again. Brought back to mechanic who looked it over and said it was fine. Two weeks later, third apperance of check engine light. This time, I took to Lincoln dealership who ran appropriate diagnostics and confirmed one week later this is the coolant intrusion defect that will require a long-block engine replacement for $12,500. Car has 55,000…
Service Brakes · reported Oct 6, 2026
The ABS brake module caused the brakes to lock up causing major damage to the right front brake assembly. Car was towed to the Ford/Lincoln dealer. Dealer said additional brakes also were locked up. The car had to be put on dollies so it could moved to a service bay. No warning lights came on. If this had happened at a higher speed it would have caused loss of control. The ABS module has since been replaced and reprogrammed.
Engine · reported Sep 18, 2026
Engine has a known defect causing coolant to leak into cylinders. Car is not safe to drive as car can overheat, blow gasket, loose power, catch fire while operating.
Engine · reported Sep 11, 2026
I own a 2018 Lincoln MKC equipped with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle currently has approximately 72,326 miles. The check-engine light initially illuminated and an OBD scan produced code P0303, indicating a misfire in Cylinder 3. No other diagnostic codes were reported. Following mechanical evaluation, all four spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced. Approximately 145 miles later, the check-engine light returned with the same P0303 code. The code was cleared to confirm recurrence, and approximately 111 miles later the check-engine light illuminated again. I subsequently took the…

Other Lincoln MKC years

Compare all Lincoln MKC years · All Lincoln models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Lincoln MKC have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2018 Lincoln MKC: 25V-685 (equipment), 25V-572 (back over prevention), 23V-378 (engine), 18V-104 (service brakes, hydraulic). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2018 Lincoln MKC?

Owners report engine problems most often (49 reports), followed by engine and engine cooling (11). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 50,400 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.