Engine
Park outsideFree remedy
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.
Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2015 Lincoln MKCRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls and 131 owner complaints for the 2015 Lincoln MKC. Most complaints involve engine (33) and electrical system (23). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
12campaigns
Latest Jan 2026
Owner complaints
131
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
12 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Equipment: engine block heater
Remedy pending
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.
Back over prevention: camera
Free remedy
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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
131 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2014 – Sep 2026
- Engine33
- Electrical system23
- Power train18
- Back over prevention16
- Fuel/propulsion system12
- Structure6
- Latches/locks/linkages5
- Steering5
- Exterior lighting5
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Engine
33 reports1 fire
“Vehicle unresponsive after sitting idol at traffic light. When trying to accelerate, no power. Vehicle was still running, but unable to accelerate. Finally able to accelerate after RPMs up to nearly 3000 rpms, and slow to respond and accelerate. Engine warning code on dashboard soon after. Error code is P0751, shift solenoid A performance stuck or off. Similar issue when under warranty in 2022 with 22,000 miles.”
Electrical system
23 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front driver's side door failed to unlock as intended, which required the contact to enter the vehicle through the front passenger's side door and to crawl over to the front driver's side seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty or recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V378000 (Engine). The contact stated that while the dealer was previously performing the recall repair, the dealer informed the contact that the battery monitor sensor was damaged. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.”
Power train
18 reports2 crashes
“I got out of work and went to start my car. At first it did not want to start, and it acted like the alarm system had an issue. I locked my car, then unlocked it with the key fob, and when it started, it ran rough and was smoking out of the exhaust. I turned it off and quickly checked the fluids. I noticed the antifreeze was low, and since I always carry fluids in the car, I filled up the reservoir and then tried to restart my car. It did the same thing, not wanting to start until I locked and unlocked with the key fob. I drove home, but the check engine light was on the entire time. The following morning, I started my car and it was blowing white smoke out of the exhaust. I turned it off and contacted a local auto repair shop. It had to be towed to the shop so as to not cause damage. The auto shop said it was the head gaskets and since there was a known problem with the coolant leaking, I would have to get a whole new (used) engine. The total would be over $8000. I called another repair shop to see if they would be willing to replace the head gaskets, and after they agreed, I had it towed to their shop. After diagnostics, (no negligence on my part) this shop…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
3 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 2.3L 4-cyl turbo
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S6)
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKC FWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,600 | 387 |
| MKC AWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | $2,750 | 413 |
| MKC AWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | $2,850 | 426 |
- 23mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
4 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5Lincoln MKC SUV AWD Later Release
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 16.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Lincoln MKC SUV FWD Later Release
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 16.4%
Overall
4 / 5
Lincoln MKC SUV FWD Early Release
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 16.4%
Overall
4 / 5
Lincoln MKC SUV AWD Early Release
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 16.9%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2015 MKC questions
How many recalls does the 2015 Lincoln MKC have?
12 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2015 Lincoln MKC problems?
Owners filed 131 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (33), electrical system (23), power train (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2015 Lincoln MKC get?
The EPA rates the 2015 Lincoln MKC at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
How safe is the 2015 Lincoln MKC?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Lincoln MKC 4 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026