2017 Lincoln Mkc

My husband and I own a 2017 Lincoln MKZ that was purchase new in 2018. It is equipped with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine, with approximately 69,000 miles. It has been meticulously cared for! Before the diagnosis, I noticed that when starting the vehicle and backing up, the engine would jerk slightly until I stepped on the accelerator to proceed. The check engine light then came on, which prompted me to take the vehicle to the Lincoln dealer for diagnosis. The servicing Ford/Lincoln dealer, Sugar Loaf Ford in [XXX], examined the vehicle and found coolant in a cylinder. We have been advised that the engine requires replacement. I am concerned because this appears consistent with reported coolant-intrusion problems involving the 2.0L EcoBoost engine used in certain Ford/Lincoln vehicles. A vehicle with only approximately 69,000 miles should not require complete engine replacement because coolant is entering a cylinder. We contacted Lincoln Customer Service and opened case #XXX requesting assistance. Lincoln declined our request and closed the case. Sugar Loaf Ford also contacted Lincoln on our behalf, but Lincoln again declined assistance. I am filing this complaint because I am concerned that this may be a recurring engine defect rather than normal wear. I request that NHTSA document this failure and consider it together with similar complaints involving 2017 Lincoln MKZ vehicles, particularly failures involving coolant intrusion into the cylinders and resulting engine replacement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle idled roughly, and there was white smoke coming out of the exhaust. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive coolant consumption, and the low coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the engine replacement was not required, but the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle sputtered with a misfire coming from the engine, with the check engine warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinder #3, which caused the engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to O’Reilly Auto Parts and was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #2. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #3. The dealer replaced the ignition coils and the spark plugs; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive coolant consumption, and the contact noticed an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that assistance would not be provided because the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 190,500.

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialty shop and was diagnosed with torque converter failure, which caused transmission failure. The torque converter was replaced. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, days after the vehicle was repaired, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a gas station and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine, which caused the cylinder head to crack, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel, followed by a coolant temperature message. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with a hairline crack in the engine. The hairline fracture led to coolant intrusion inside cylinder #2, and the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered Technical Service Bulletins 19-2346 and 22-22229, which the contact linked to the failure. The contact called another dealer about the failure and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 98,690.

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the #2 and #3 spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, two days after the repair, the check engine warning light illuminated again, and the engine started to overheat. The contact checked to coolant level and discovered there was no coolant in the coolant reservoir. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic and was inspected, and it was determined that the failure was best diagnosed by the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed additional diagnosis for coolant intrusion to determine if the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shuddering. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-35 MPH, the message "Engine Overheating" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the coolant reservoir was empty. The mechanic added coolant to the vehicle and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion in the engine block. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,800.

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on a road trip, the engine coolant temperature warning light illuminated, and the engine overheated. The contact was able to continue driving to the destination. The contact stated that the transmission and rear brakes and rotors had previously been replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the engine was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 99,800.