Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2016 Lincoln MKCRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 82 owner complaints for the 2016 Lincoln MKC. Most complaints involve engine (42) and electrical system (12). 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
5campaigns
Latest Jan 2026
Owner complaints
82
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

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.

EngineReported May 26, 2023NHTSA 23V378000

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.

EquipmentReported Jan 16, 2026NHTSA 26V011000

Equipment: engine block heater

Remedy pending

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.

EquipmentReported Oct 10, 2025NHTSA 25V685000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

82 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2016 – Nov 2026
  1. Engine42
  2. Electrical system12
  3. Power train12
  4. Engine and engine cooling7
  5. Steering5
  6. Fuel/propulsion system4
  7. Back over prevention4
  8. Exterior lighting3
  9. Service brakes2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each MKC model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2015131
201682
2017195
201878
2019123
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

42 reports5 fires
“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 assistance in this matter. The local dealership has also said that they cannot help us with any of the cost. I've found this to be a very well documented problem/engine design failure, Including HTSA ID Number: 10162062 Manufacturer Communication Number: TSB 19-2172 entitled Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING The TSB acknowledges a design-related coolant leak into the engine cylinders that can cause white smoke, misfire, rough running, and warning lights. Ford’s recommended repair is to replace the long block assembly. In addition, this appears to be the exact issue…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 15, 2026EngineODI 11738186

Electrical system

12 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2026Electrical systemODI 11756986

Power train

12 reports1 fire
“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 authorization to let me use a certified RepairPal partner facility located 10 minutes from my house. Instead, they are explicitly demanding that I drive this defective, stall-risk vehicle on the highway for over 45 minutes to their Brooklyn Park dealership to receive warranty service. Forcing a consumer to drive a vehicle with a known highway powertrain vibration and a critical EVAP vacuum fault creates an immediate, severe highway safety hazard.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2026Suspension, Power train, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11766044
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

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
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
MKC FWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
202923$2,600387
MKC AWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
192622$2,750413
MKC AWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
182621$2,850422
  • MKC FWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • MKC AWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,750/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • MKC AWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    18 city · 26 hwy · $2,850/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Lincoln MKC SUV AWD
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
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 10252Vehicle 10251
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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.
09 —FAQ

2016 MKC questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Lincoln MKC have?

5 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 2016 Lincoln MKC problems?

Owners filed 82 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (42), electrical system (12), power train (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Lincoln MKC get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Lincoln MKC at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2016 Lincoln MKC?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Lincoln MKC 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026