Most common 2016 Lincoln MKC problems
Share of the 80 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lincoln MKC complaints by model year
Best MKC years: 2016, 2015. Years to avoid: 2017, 2019. Compare all years →
2016 Lincoln MKC recalls (5)
Equipment › Electrical › Engine block heater
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.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge.
Equipment › Electrical › Engine block heater
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.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge.
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026.
Engine
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.
Remedy: Owners 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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured November 25, 2013, to January 25, 2016, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured October 20, 2014, to January 28, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with 2.3L GTDI engines and engine block heaters.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and replace the electrical cord, as necessary. The recall began on May 18, 2016.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2016 Lincoln MKC:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2016 Lincoln MKC owners say
Engine & cooling all 46 →
The contact owned a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while an employee was driving at an undisclosed speed, he observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment, prompting him to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection, the employee observed flames emanating from the engine compartment. Local emergency services arrived and were able to extinguish the flames. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A fire report was filed. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The employee was transported to an area hospital by EMT and treated for injuries to his right shoulder, right elbow, and right hip that he sustained while fleeing the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, he heard a sputtering and knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle started to overheat. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure and that the vehicle had begun to consume an abnormal amount of coolant. The contact stated that the A/C had also begun to blow hot air while activated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle seemed to be running at reduced power. The contact stated that for the vehicle to run normally he had to be sure that the coolant reservoir was full. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the coolant hoses and a valve needed to be replaced. …
Transmission & drivetrain
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that she started the vehicle and when she shifted the gear shifter into drive, the gear shifted into neutral instead. The contact stated that she noticed that the park mode light was displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to drive the vehicle to her destination. The contact stated when leaving her destination, the gear shifter would not shift into any gear and was inoperable. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with a failed cable shifter bushing. The contact was informed that the cable shifter bushing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 117,524.
2016 LINCOLN MKC parked on driveway for over 24 hours, when my father was outside gardening he noticed smoke and flames coming from under the hood, the Fire Department was called who out the fire out and stated it was "totaled". Fire Department conducted their own investigation to determine the cause of the fire. The report returned indicating the "Engine" was the origin of the fire. Thank the lord my father was outside or our garage and house could have burnt down with all of us in it. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE!! I opened two claims with CarMax MaxCare Warranty which were denied. I have one case open with Ford Motor Company which is still pending. Car is currently at autoshop undergoing another diagnosis of the the orgin of fire for my CarMax MaxCare Warranty.
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while opening or closing the front driver's and passenger's side doors, the contact heard an abnormal clicking sound in the front driver's and passenger's side doors. The mirrors also clicked erratically and inadvertently moved making it difficult to use while driving. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while the vehicle was shifted into drive or reverse, the front driver's and passenger's side mirrors malfunctioned and inadvertently re-adjust. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the issue was a known issue however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The VIN was unavailable. …
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V378000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle, a message displayed on the instrument panel "Battery disconnected" and the vehicle failed to start. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
2016 Lincoln MKC engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 29 / 23 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 19 / 26 / 22 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Lincoln MKC a good car?
Based on 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 MKC rates better than average: 56% fewer complaints than a typical year of the MKC at the same age. It is one of the best MKC years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Lincoln MKC?
The engine & cooling — 46 complaints, 57% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (12) and electrical system (11).
How many recalls does the 2016 Lincoln MKC have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2016 Lincoln MKC, the most recent from January 15, 2026 (engine block heater). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lincoln MKC?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017 and 2019. See the full Lincoln MKC years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Lincoln MKC problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 69,000 miles; 36% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.