Problems · NHTSA complaints

2019 Lincoln MKC problems

Owners filed 123 complaints about the 2019 Lincoln MKC with NHTSA between Mar 2019 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (92).

Complaints
123
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine92
  2. Electrical system12
  3. Engine and engine cooling7
  4. Back over prevention7
  5. Power train6
  6. Service brakes2
  7. Fuel/propulsion system2
  8. Wheels2
  9. Lane departure1
  10. Steering1
  11. Air bags1
  12. Seats1
  13. Vehicle speed control1
  14. Visibility/wiper1

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, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20192
20202
20211
20222
202339
202411
202524
202642

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

92 reports1 crash2 fires1 related recall
“After my check engine light came on the dealership performed a cooling system pressure test and borescope inspection which confirmed a cylinder 2 misfire caused by structural coolant intrusion into the engine block. The dealership repair estimate is over $14,000. As an elderly and handicapped individual facing unstable housing, this catastrophic vehicle failure leaves me stranded, and the out-of-pocket cost is a severe and impossible financial hardship. •Known Inherent Defect: I learned that this exact failure—coolant leaking into cylinder 2 due to a recognized structural design flaw in the EcoBoost block—is a widely documented manufacturing issue. It is currently the subject of certified national class-action litigation (Miller, et al. v. Ford Motor Company), specifically naming the 2019 Lincoln MKC. •Prior Diagnostic History: The check engine light first illuminated at 100,700 miles. The vehicle has been treated with care. This is a catastrophic structural crack, not a wear-and-tear issue. •Extended Warranty Context: I previously invested in an Extended Service Warranty to protect against major failures. While Lincoln Client Services has initially denied…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2026EngineODI 11773107

Electrical system

12 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2019 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 had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the vehicle failed to display an image of the rear of the vehicle. Additional safety information were also not available on the screen. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 17, 2026Electrical system, Back over preventionODI 11731792

Engine and engine cooling

7 reports
“The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinder #3 and head gasket failure. The contact was informed that the engine and turbo charger needed to be replaced. The manufacturer, Lincoln, was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 55,304.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11764186

Back over prevention

7 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln MKC. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact had not experienced a failure associated with the recall. However, the contact was concerned that the dealer intended to inspect the vehicle to determine whether there was an issue with the rearview camera instead of replacing the back over prevention camera. The contact believed that replacing the part regardless if a failure had occurred or not would be a more appropriate preventative measure due to the failure associated with the rearview camera. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2026Back over preventionODI 11744737

Power train

6 reports
“I am filing an urgent safety complaint regarding a severe Ford/Lincoln EcoBoost engine defect, fraudulent recall reporting, and the illegal refusal of repair on my vehicle, which has only around 20,000 miles. Since this vehicle is under an active safety recall, the manufacturer and dealership have a strict legal obligation to perform the recall repair at no cost to the consumer.My vehicle recently experienced a major engine failure with the Check Engine Light illuminated The authorized dealership diagnosed the issue as an inherent EcoBoost engine defect, specifically confirming a Cylinder #1 Misfire caused by Coolant Intrusion into the engine cylinders. They stated that the engine is severely damaged and provided a repair estimate of $12,000 for a complete Long Block Engine Replacement.However, they are completely refusing to cover this repair, telling me that they cannot help me and that I must pay out of pocket to fix it myself. To evade their legal safety obligations, the manufacturer sent an official letter falsely claiming that the recall service was already successfully completed at Norm Reeves Lincoln on April 24, 2024. This is a complete lie. I have…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 27, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11767233

Service brakes

2 reports
“Engine failure TSB 19-2346, A known/common issue with this engine. The car only has 73,790 miles on it. The car started shaking when started, engine light on, empty coolant reservoir and off then parking brake came on randomly several times , and the brakes locked up twice, which resulted in going over a curb. Discontinued driving the vehicle after that incident obviously due to safety. Ford service center gave a $13,000 repair estimate. The vehicle is still at Ford and available for inspection.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2026Service brakes, EngineODI 11731447
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

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