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2018 Lincoln MKC

Gas

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11

Safety Signal

54 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

Recalls2 critical4

Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA71

Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★

Fuel economybest combined, EPA23 mpg

2019 2018 2017 2016

Active NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from structures until repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.

The 2018 Lincoln MKC is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the MKC FWD, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 71 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Configuration	Powertrain	Drive	Engine / motor	City	Hwy	Comb	Annual fuel*
MKC FWD	Gas	FWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	21	28	23	$2,700
MKC AWD	Gas	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	19	25	22	$2,850
MKC AWD	Gas	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	19	25	21	$2,950
MKC AWD	Gas	AWD	2.3L 4-cyl turbo	18	25	20	$3,100

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39467, 39472, 39471, 39473.

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Recalls (4)

Source: NHTSA recall database

!critical

Equipment

25SA4

59,006 vehicles

ProblemFord 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.RiskAn electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.FixOwners 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 September 2026. Owners may contact Ford

NHTSA campaign 25V685000reported Oct 10, 2025Ford Motor Company

▲high

Back Over Prevention

25S89

1,456,417 vehicles

ProblemFord 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.RiskA rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driverâ€™s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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, 202

NHTSA campaign 25V572000reported Sep 3, 2025Ford Motor Company

!critical

Engine

23S28

Park outside142,734 vehicles

ProblemFord 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.RiskAn engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.FixOwners 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.

NHTSA campaign 23V378000reported May 26, 2023Ford Motor Company

▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

18S04

88 vehicles

ProblemFord 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.RiskA brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixFord 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.

NHTSA campaign 18V104000reported Feb 12, 2018Ford Motor Company

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

71complaints filed

3 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 4 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2018: 2 · 2019: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 6 · 2023: 8 · 2024: 12 · 2025: 25 · 2026: 12

Most-cited components

Engine44

Engine And Engine Cooling9

Unspecified5

Power Train5

Back Over Prevention5

Wheels4

What owners describe

“Misfire cylinder2 coolant found in combustion chamber requiring longblock engine replacement. Through investigation found that this is a widespread factory defect that Ford is well aware of. A diagnostic check was not performed on this issue during any routine service visit even though a technical service bulletin had …”Aug 23, 2024 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

“The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was a slight hesitation in the response of the vehicle. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer and was diagnosed and determined that the coolant level was l…”Aug 16, 2024 · Engine And Engine Cooling · NHTSA owner report

“I purchased car in Septemver of 2023, in May of 2024 I started ha jng issues with it misfiring and a mechanic told me I had a coolant leaking. in June 2024 I had to take it to a mechanic as an emergency as it wasn't driving properly. I was then informed that I need a new engine because coolant is leaking onto engine bl…”Aug 1, 2024 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

Configuration	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	17%
SUV FWD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other MKC model years

2019 Lincoln MKC

3 recalls · 115 complaints

2017 Lincoln MKC

3 recalls · 189 complaints

2016 Lincoln MKC

5 recalls · 79 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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