AI Damage2016 Lincoln MKC: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Lincoln MKC filed 80 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 109 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 80
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 109
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 51% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 15% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 9% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 6% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- 7 Backover prevention 5% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 41 complaints (51% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Powertrain: 12 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 18.
- Electrical system: 11 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 45.
- Engine and cooling: 7 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Steering: 5 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 2.3 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 80 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 41 | 0 | 10 |
| Powertrain | 12 | 0 | 18 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 0 | 45 |
| Engine and cooling | 7 | 0 | 8 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Backover prevention | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I was involved in a heavy front end collision - during the collision my airbag did not deploy. My vehicle was in motion, going about 45 miles an hour. The vehicle in front of me slammed on it's brakes and I collided with them. The main airbag in the steering wheel did not deploy.
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.
The vehicle displayed service advanced track, hill assist and traction control warning lights and immediately locks up steering and jars the steering wheel pulling vehicle to left or right abruptly before returning to normal.
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.
The dealer advised the contact that they had to go through the radio to complete the recall repair but this would be at the owners expense. The contact stated that the radio went out when the rearview camera went out. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue.
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.
I have Coolant intrusion in cylinder #2 91000 miles this should be a recall it's a problem that's well documented There's a recall for the back up camera hope the camera can see through the white smoke!
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the supercharger-A and the under boost needed to be replaced.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 661 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 31% most complained about).
On average one model year of the MKC has 118 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 80, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and…
Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and Escape, 2016-2024 Model Year Explorer, 2019-2020 Model Year Fusion, 2016-2018 Model Year Focus RS, 2022-2024…
- Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines…
Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns …
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes…
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in…
- "Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions
• Customer concern of a vibration or rough idle in D or R • Shudder while driving • Lack of engine RPM • Low performance, lack of acceleration on take off"
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal…
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some…
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019…
- For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an…
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford…
- Certain 2014-2020 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines 3G Telematics Control Unit to 4G Upgrade Kit REASON…
Certain 2014-2020 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines 3G Telematics Control Unit to 4G Upgrade Kit REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT Program Terms & Urgency / Expiration Date: Program extension until July 31, 2023. Service…
- For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely…
For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a…
- Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission…
Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission - Transmission Extended Warranty Coverage Updated Owner Letters: 20N07/20B27 S1
- Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission…
Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission Powertrain Control Module Reprogram Submitting Owner Letters
NHTSA lists 109 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Lincoln MKC?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, electrical system. Total complaints: 80. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (30%), smoke, burning smell, fire (18%), overheating, coolant loss (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Lincoln MKC?
NHTSA lists 109 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Lincoln MKC from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.