10/26/26, took vehicle in for service due to a rough start. Was notified by phone the vehicle was diagnosed with the engine coolant intrusion and was found to have low coolant. The vehicle had just been inspected the week prior and all levels were acceptable. Engine needed to be replaced. Just under 68000mi. This known engine issue/documented defect needs addressed and at minimum, customer notified BEFORE it happens to them.
The worst 2018 Lincoln MKC problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine58
- Driver assistance6
- Transmission6
- Wheels4
- Electrical2
- Fuel system2
- Steering2
- Acceleration1
- Airbags1
- Brakes1
- Seats1
- Tires1
- Visibility1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Lincoln MKC
Check engine light 35Engine failure 26Misfire 22Overheating 16Fire or smoke 5
Recalls 4
Equipment: electrical: engine block heater
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 December 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 on October 15, 2025.
Recall number 25V685000 · Recall details
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 the federal safety agency recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning September 8, 2025.
Recall number 25V572000 · Recall details
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
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 18V104000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2018 Lincoln MKC 121
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and...
- Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes...
- "Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following...
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal...
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
- For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an...
- In various 2017-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, customers may receive a message in the FordPass or...
- For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely...
2018 Lincoln MKC fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21 | 28 | 23 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 19 | 25 | 21-22 |
| 2.3L 4‑cyl | AWD | 18 | 25 | 20 |
What 2018 Lincoln MKC owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKC. The contact called on behalf of his wife who stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was an eco boost coolant intrusion and that the spark plugs and coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a blown head gasket that needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Rough idle at start up persisted as I got onto the road and caused near complete loss of drivability as "check engine" light appeared for the first time. Had towed to mechanic who replaced coils and plugs. One month later, check engine light appeared again. Brought back to mechanic who looked it over and said it was fine. Two weeks later, third apperance of check engine light. This time, I took to Lincoln dealership who ran appropriate diagnostics and confirmed one week later this is the coolant intrusion defect that will require a long-block engine replacement for $12,500. Car has 55,000 miles.
The ABS brake module caused the brakes to lock up causing major damage to the right front brake assembly. Car was towed to the Ford/Lincoln dealer. Dealer said additional brakes also were locked up. The car had to be put on dollies so it could moved to a service bay. No warning lights came on. If this had happened at a higher speed it would have caused loss of control. The ABS module has since been replaced and reprogrammed.
Engine has a known defect causing coolant to leak into cylinders. Car is not safe to drive as car can overheat, blow gasket, loose power, catch fire while operating.
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle, the engine misfired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that coolant intrusion had resulted in the engine failure, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 73,617.
I own a 2018 Lincoln MKC equipped with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle currently has approximately 72,326 miles. The check-engine light initially illuminated and an OBD scan produced code P0303, indicating a misfire in Cylinder 3. No other diagnostic codes were reported. Following mechanical evaluation, all four spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced. Approximately 145 miles later, the check-engine light returned with the same P0303 code. The code was cleared to confirm recurrence, and approximately 111 miles later the check-engine light illuminated again. I subsequently took the vehicle to a Ford/Lincoln dealership for further diagnosis. The dealership determined that coolant is leaking into Cylinder 3 and advised that the required repair is replacement of the engine/long-block assembly, at an estimated cost of approximately $8,900. I have since learned that Ford issued Technical Service Bulletin 19-2346 addressing certain 2017–2019 Lincoln MKC vehicles equipped with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine that may exhibit coolant intrusion into the cylinders, an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp, and misfire diagnostic codes including P0303. The prescribed repair under the bulletin may require replacement of the long-block engine assembly. A search of the federal safety agency's recall database using my VIN does not presently identify my vehicle as subject to a safety recall for this coolant-intrusion condition. I am submitting this complaint so that the federal safety agency has a record of another 2018 Lincoln MKC 2.0L EcoBoost experiencing a dealer-confirmed coolant-intrusion failure consistent with Ford's published technical guidance. I am particularly concerned about whether this failure mode has safety implications and whether the population of potentially affected vehicles has been adequately identified. The vehicle had not exhibited significant drivability problems, rough cold starts, or other obvious warning symptoms before the recurring P0303 check-engine indication.
My engine failed. At the time I did not know this. I was driving to work, and although I knew I was not out of gas according to the gas gauge, I thought maybe something was wrong with the gauge when my Lincoln began to putter like when you are running out of gas. I was approaching a stop light in the left turn lane when the car died. Which could have caused a multi car pileup considering the intersection in my town I was at. I got the car to start again but it smelt terrible and started smoking from the exhaust. A white smoke. I was not far from work at all so I made it there and had a mobile mechanic come to look at it. Upon inspecting it, he found oil build up in my spark plugs. When he tested the compression there was no compression at all in cylinder 4. There were no prior indicators such as check engine lights or any other lights. I had just financed this vehicle not even 6 months prior so not only did being stuck at a busy intersection full of anxiety and praying no one hit me, it has caused tremendous financial hardship as I have still been faithfully making my loan payments and paying full coverage on the vehicle. And has left my husband and I without a vehicle. He works 50 minutes from where we live and I work 20mins from where we live and in opposite directions. I since found out there are class action lawsuits for this year,make,model, and engine. I contacted the only shop in my town which is a Ford Lincoln dealership about the issues and was informed that most likely the cost of repairs/replacement would be $10,000 and to contact Ford corporate. Which I did and was denied any sort of assistance with cost when they should have to cover the whole thing as it is a major safety issue. Let alone the financial burden their defective engines are placing on people such as myself. This could have caused a major car accident potentially resulting in severe injuries to myself and others. I did not know until now I could report these types of safety issues.
I am experiencing a coolant-intrusion problem with my 2018 Lincoln MKC, equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle has only 63,900 miles. •The check-engine light repeatedly came on and went off over a two-week period. •A Lincoln dealer performed a diagnostic evaluation and identified the same problem reported in other Ford and Lincoln vehicles with this engine. •An independent automotive service provider confirmed the diagnosis and advised me that Ford had issued a service bulletin addressing this exact issue. •Both assessments indicated that the engine needs to be replaced. When I asked the dealer what could happen if I did not replace the engine, I was warned of serious safety risks, including a possible fire or complete engine failure. This is not a routine wear-and-tear issue; it appears to be a known design defect. The problem has reportedly led to class-action lawsuits and has left many vehicle owners facing significant repair costs without financial assistance. Ford/Lincoln has stated that it will not cover the cost of replacing my engine because the vehicle is no longer under warranty.
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln MKC. 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 and determined that there was coolant leaking into the engine, causing a misfire. The contact was informed that the long block needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact not to drive the vehicle out of town and stated that the vehicle might stall while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,500.
Compare the 2018 Lincoln MKC
Other model years
Questions about the 2018 Lincoln MKC
Is the 2018 Lincoln MKC reliable?
Owners have filed 78 complaints about the 2018 Lincoln MKC, fewer than a typical MKC model year.
What is the 2018 Lincoln MKC year score?
The 2018 Lincoln MKC scores 79 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Lincoln MKC: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Lincoln MKC?
Engine and cooling, with 58 complaints, typically around 61,000 miles. Next is driver assistance (6).
How many recalls does the 2018 Lincoln MKC have?
4 recalls, covering equipment, back over prevention and engine.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Lincoln MKC engine?
Yes, 1 recall: 23V378000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Lincoln MKC have bad engine?
The Lincoln MKC model years with the most engine complaints are 2017 (129 complaints), 2019 (99 complaints) and 2018 (58 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Lincoln MKC get?
Official estimates for the 2018 Lincoln MKC range from 20 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21 city and 28 highway.
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