Head gasket failure where engine coolant leaked internally into the engine cylinders.
2017 Lincoln MKC: engine overheating
39 of the 194 complaints about the 2017 Lincoln MKC describe engine overheating.
- owner complaints
- 39
- of this car's complaints
- 20%
- typical repair cost reported
- $8,176
- typical mileage
- 99,800
- recalls
- 1
Engine overheating by model year
What owners say
I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding my 2017 Lincoln MKC equipped with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine (VIN: [XXX]). The vehicle has experienced a severe, progressive engine failure caused by internal coolant intrusion into Cylinder 1, directly matching the structural design defect detailed by the manufacturer in Technical Service Bulletin TSB 22-2229. This defect allows pressurized engine coolant to continuously leak directly into the combustion cylinders while driving and during engine rest. This creates an immediate safety risk of vehicle hydro-locking during ignition, sudden mid-drive engine stalls at highway speeds due to severe misfires (Fault Code P0301), and unexpected engine overheating. The manufacturer has knowingly built these open-deck engine blocks with narrow coolant grooves prone to fracturing, creating an ongoing risk of sudden thermal failure and power loss in active traffic. 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.
Lincoln MKC 2017 Engine failure due to Coolant leak. Bought new Lincoln MKC 2017. The current mileage is 52, 500. Upon Starting, engine would shake for about 10 seconds. The Engine light would come ON. Engine light would turn OFF and ON for few weeks. The Dealership diagnostic indicated code P0301. I was advised Full Engine replacement. Currently the Engine is not starting at all. I have heard it's a design issue with the Engine. I have contacted multiple Lincoln dealerships, and each one has its own engine replacement costs. Lincoln Concierge declined my request to help in anyway although it seems to be a design issue with the Engine.
My vehicle started stuttering & shaking when starting. Then the check engine light came on. It was diagnosed with cylinder 2 & 3 misfire. All spark plugs & coil packs replaced. It got better for about 3 months then the problem came right back. Have replaced coil packs multiple times. Took to dealer who said cylinder misfires were caused from coolant leaking & the only fix was to have engine replaced & quoted $11000. This started at about 95000 miles. Vehicle has had perfect maintenance, all oil changes done on Schedule. Dealer said motor can lock up at any moment & this was a manufacturer error.
The engine in my 2017 Lincoln MKC (2.0L EcoBoost) has a documented manufacturing defect where the cylinder block design allows coolant to leak into the combustion chambers. This has caused persistent, unexplained coolant loss and rough engine performance on cold starts since February 2025, matching the diagnostic criteria in Ford TSB 19-2346. The defective engine assembly is available for inspection. This condition creates a significant safety hazard, including sudden power loss (Limp Mode) in traffic and a risk of engine fire from cracked cylinder heads. While Ford provided a service program (21N12) for 1.5L engines, they have failed to issue a safety recall for the 2.0L variant despite identical failure modes. This vehicle is part of the class in the consolidated litigation Miller, et al. v. Ford Motor Company (Case No. 2:20-cv-01796). I am filing this to assist the federal safety agency in determining the necessity of a mandatory safety recall.
My Lincoln MKC 2017 is having a recurring problem with a misfire in the 3rd cylinder due to a hood gasket, a crack in the coolant, and leaking on the sparks and coils. I have had my mechanic work on and look at it, and it is a manufacturing defect. When I called, there was no recall listed for my vehicle except the backup camera. However, when you look at Kelly Blue Book, it says there is more than one engine recall and issue, which is exactly what is happening to my Lincoln. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
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.
Engine design flaw in the gaskets. Coolant leaking into the cylinders causing misfire. Had to replace the engine. $8000.
Coolant leaking into engine, causing misfires and engine service light on
Coolant Intrusion into the cylinder causing overheating. New engine block required. Car has been regularly maintained. Failure occured with no warning.
Coolant leak intrusion misfire cyl4 and cyl3 smoke vehicle shut down extreme engine shaking and fire check engile lights class action lawsuits manufacturers refusing to help and dealership is refusing to help. Dealership admits vehicle is unrepairable and has held possession for 75 days
Service bulletins that may apply
- Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and...
- For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an...
- Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission...
- Low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or a runs rough condition with or without an illuminated...
- Some 2014-2017 C-MAX Energi, 2014-2020 Fusion plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), 2015-2017 MKZ/MKZ...
- Some 2017-2020 Fusion/MKZ and 2017-2019 Escape/MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may...
- Illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018,...
- Vibration/rough idle when the vehicle is in DRIVE or REVERSE. The vehicle may also exhibit a lack of...
Related recalls
Engine
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 23V378000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2017 Lincoln MKC overheating
Is engine overheating a common problem on the 2017 Lincoln MKC?
39 of 194 owner complaints about the 2017 Lincoln MKC (20%) mention engine overheating. The model year with the most reports is 2017.
How much does it cost to fix engine overheating on the 2017 Lincoln MKC?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $8,176 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2017 Lincoln MKC?
There is 1 recall and 27 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2017 Lincoln MKC
Check engine light 59Engine failure 48Misfire 38Backup camera 17Loss of power 10Fire or smoke 6
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