Dealer service technician states the a crack in the engine block is allowing coolant to enter the cylinder causing misfiring. This appears to require engine replacement with only 59000 miles on the vehicle. This is a common problem with the 2018 engine and could result in a fire.
2018 Lincoln Mkc
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2018 Lincoln Mkc do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 119.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Mkc years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
24 reports with mileage · 48 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
45 reportsI have a 2018 Lincoln MKC with approximately 58,000 miles, always taken care of and maintained, in excellent condition. Almost immediately after my extended warranty ran out the check engine light came on and it started to start and idle rough. Took it to a Lincoln dealer, they replaced coil assembly # 4 and the 4 spark plugs…
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I have a 2018 Lincoln MKC with approximately 58,000 miles, always taken care of and maintained, in excellent condition. Almost immediately after my extended warranty ran out the check engine light came on and it started to start and idle rough. Took it to a Lincoln dealer, they replaced coil assembly # 4 and the 4 spark plugs, told me if it continues there might be coolant intrusion to the engine and the engine would need to be replaced. Check engine light came on 2 days later again, back to the dealership where they told me there was coolant intrusion and the engine will need to replaced. $8020.00 estimate, Lincoln/Ford is aware of this defect in this engine, they should recall this engine and replace it.
Check engine light came on at approx 54,000 miles with code of cylinder 2 misfire diagnosed as spark plugs and ignition coils need replaced. All spark plugs and ignition coils replaced May 11. June 23 check engine light on again with cylinder 2 misfire. Was told spark plugs and ignition coils need replaced again. July 9 spark p…
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Check engine light came on at approx 54,000 miles with code of cylinder 2 misfire diagnosed as spark plugs and ignition coils need replaced. All spark plugs and ignition coils replaced May 11. June 23 check engine light on again with cylinder 2 misfire. Was told spark plugs and ignition coils need replaced again. July 9 spark plugs and ignitiion coils replaced. July 10 check engine light came on cylinder 2 misfire. July 11 car was diagnosed as needing engine replacement due to coolant intrusion causing rust in engine
Loosing Coolant resulting in coolant leaking into the engine. White smoke coming from exhaust m. Repair garage states only fix is to replace with revised engine causing over $10,000 in repair costs.
2018 Lincoln MKC with 112,700 miles hesitating with accelerating. There have been no check engine lights activated. Took to Ford dealership for inspection and they found coolant level low and confirmed shuddering/jerking when accelerating. Found that cylinder 1 misfiring and upon further inspection found coolant intrusion in cyl…
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2018 Lincoln MKC with 112,700 miles hesitating with accelerating. There have been no check engine lights activated. Took to Ford dealership for inspection and they found coolant level low and confirmed shuddering/jerking when accelerating. Found that cylinder 1 misfiring and upon further inspection found coolant intrusion in cylinder 1. Recommended long block replacement. I found that this year model with Ford Ecoboost 2L engine has had frequent issues with the coolant leaking into cylinders due to poor design of this engine. Contacted Ford and asked for help with the cost to replace the engine block and was denied any assistance.
Engine failure due to coolant leak. Causing vehicle to overheat without warning while traveling down highway Issue has been reported to service center No other inspection No warning indicated.
1st Engine Failure Dec 2021 due to coolant intrusion and the long block engine needed to be replaced. After the repair I came to look at it & I found, Bolts were missing—including from the undercarriage, battery mount, & power steering reservoir, splash guard, inner wheel well shield. Tools (10mm Snap-on socket & unidentified lo…
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1st Engine Failure Dec 2021 due to coolant intrusion and the long block engine needed to be replaced. After the repair I came to look at it & I found, Bolts were missing—including from the undercarriage, battery mount, & power steering reservoir, splash guard, inner wheel well shield. Tools (10mm Snap-on socket & unidentified loose bolts) were left inside the engine bay. The coolant hose came loose, which your team tried to charge $4,000 to fix, despite it being clearly related to poor installation of the engine. The engine mounts—normally last 10-14 yrs before needing to be replaced—suddenly failed. Wiring harnesses weren’t secured, not informed of new engine warranty coverage being only for 1 yr. 2nd Engine Failure (Dec 2024): Less than 22k miles later, the engine failed again—this time 4 months outside the so-called 1-yr warranty that I was never told about. Now, I’m expected to pay out of pocket for another engine, which would conveniently include a 3-yr warranty this time. Why wasn’t the 1st replacement engine covered under the same terms? Purchased with: 45,000 miles 1st engine failed at: 53,594 miles, Coolant hose/engine mount issues: 61,000 miles, 2nd engine failed at: 84,193 miles if inspection is needed, I have photos. It has been confirmed by northpark lincoln dealership. It was inspected by the manufacturer and other mechanics, not affiliated with dealership. No warning signs no warning lamps no codes thrown no nothing until the loss of acceleration and torque combined with the amount of white smoke coming out of the tailpipe in the middle of the summer. It was the only notification it was too late by that point the damage has been done. On both occasions, the exact same thing happened no warning lights no check engine lights no MIL lights, or codes thrown just simply a huge cloud of dust coming from the tailpipe, and you lose almost all power and acceleration. Symptoms appeared after the damage had been done so no way to tell that something wrong prior.
It was almost time for an oil change when the check engine light came on. The engine was idling roughly when the car was first started. I decided to take the car in early for the oil change and to get them to check the check engine light that’s when they told me of the known problem with the cracked engine block, and the engine …
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It was almost time for an oil change when the check engine light came on. The engine was idling roughly when the car was first started. I decided to take the car in early for the oil change and to get them to check the check engine light that’s when they told me of the known problem with the cracked engine block, and the engine coolant leaking into the engine. I took the car to another place for a second opinion and the mechanic told me he had repaired five of these vehicles recently. In my research, I have found that Ford was aware of this problem with Ford vehicles and Lincoln vehicles, but has not offered a solution to the problem. I don’t find a recall notice or anything Ford is doing about this problem, except replacing the engine, as instructed by Ford and charging me full price for the replacement of the engine. I would not have purchased this vehicle had I known of this problem. This vehicle has had every scheduled maintenance performed by the Lincoln dealership except two oil changes that were done at a Ford dealership.
Engine light came on and showed misfire in cylinder 4. Changed spark plug and engine coil. Still had engine light on and misfiring. Car drove in power safety mode. After much diagnosis and inspection, master mechanic found coolant leaking into the cylinder walls due to a faulty (poorly manufactured) head gasket. Coolant intrusio…
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Engine light came on and showed misfire in cylinder 4. Changed spark plug and engine coil. Still had engine light on and misfiring. Car drove in power safety mode. After much diagnosis and inspection, master mechanic found coolant leaking into the cylinder walls due to a faulty (poorly manufactured) head gasket. Coolant intrusion caused white exhaust smoke, damage to the engine block and risk of fire. Shop replaced head cylinder and gasket with current oem parts that appeared to be revised. Vehicle remains to drive in poor condition with 54k miles. Powertrain warranty did not cover this expense being the vehicle met the 6 year mark in March 2024.
I purchased the automobile on [XXX] with 44,175 miles. When the engine light came on recently, I took it to the Lincoln dealer here in Las Vegas, paid $205 for the computer to be assessed, and was told the problem was coolant leaking into the engine. They were not able to start any repairs at that time. I was not told what it wo…
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I purchased the automobile on [XXX] with 44,175 miles. When the engine light came on recently, I took it to the Lincoln dealer here in Las Vegas, paid $205 for the computer to be assessed, and was told the problem was coolant leaking into the engine. They were not able to start any repairs at that time. I was not told what it would cost to repair or the time involved. I assumed it was an air conditioning problem. I drove it a few days and the engine light went off, only to come back on. I then took it to AAA ($177 for the diagnosis), reporting that cylinder 3 had coolant leaking. Tech found TSB 19-2172 TSB. 19-2172 is for current symptoms of misfire at start-up. It was suggested that I take it to the Lincoln dealer. While driving the car home on [XXX], the engine was missing, chugging. I was afraid it would stall. I am thankful it did not stall on the freeway and that I made it home safely. When I called the Lincoln dealer to make an appointment to take the car in for service, I was told it would take three or four weeks to get it repaired, that the engine would have to be replaced for $7,800 - $9,800, and that Lincoln Motor Company will not take any responsibility. He said there were two other vehicles in line with the same problem. Due to being afraid to drive it, I had the car towed by AAA on Monday, October 7, 2024, to the Lincoln dealer and was told the estimate to repair it would be $8,493. This is a coolant intrusion issue due to a faulty design in the engine block where the cooling channels will crack and leak coolant into the piston chambers. As gleaned from the Internet, this appears to have been an ongoing problem with this model. I've observed so far from the Internet that Lincoln Motor Company is not taking responsibility for this faulty design affecting many Lincoln owners. I am [XXX], and living on a fixed income. I had to rent a car and put up a $735 deposit. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Official recalls
425V685000 · Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater
Oct 10, 2025
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. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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. 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 customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
25V572000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Sep 3, 2025
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. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers 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, 2025.
23V378000 · Engine
May 26, 2023
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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. 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.
18V104000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Feb 12, 2018
Ford 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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