Coolant intrusion into the cylinder and requires a replacement of the long block engine assembly which was a known issue by Ford/Lincoln with no recalls issued. The problem has been confirmed by authorized Ford/Lincoln dealer and independent service center. Warning lights illuminated when car was brought to dealer for inspection. It poses significant safety risk that actively endanger me and passengers while driving due to sudden loss of power, engine stalling, engine fire, loss of braking and steering assistance.
2019 Lincoln MKC: sudden loss of power
7 of the 123 complaints about the 2019 Lincoln MKC describe sudden loss of power.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- recalls
- 1
Sudden loss of power by model year
- 20197
- 201710
- 20163
What owners say
The vehicle needs a complete engine replacement due to a coolant intrusion issue. The safety of myself and my family are of my utmost concern. Overheating of the system can cause sudden engine stalling, catastrophic power loss at highway speeds, a risk of collision, and toxic vapor exposure inside the vehicle. Furthermore, A leaking heater core vents sweet-smelling but toxic antifreeze vapors into the passenger compartment and prolonged breathing of heated glycol fumes can trigger dizziness, headaches, and nausea for the driver. All of which I have recently suffered from. I have taken the car back to the original dealership and was advised that I would need a new engine. The engine light came on and the coolant started spiking into the red which led me to take the car in for diagnostic testing.
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Answer: Engine / Powertrain (Engine Block & Cooling System). The vehicle suffered an internal engine failure caused by coolant intrusion into Cylinder #4, requiring a full engine long block replacement per Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 22-2229. The vehicle and component are available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Answer: The engine suffered a sudden and complete loss of power without warning in the middle of active, moving traffic, leaving the vehicle dead in a live travel lane. Because the engine stalled abruptly due to coolant flooding the cylinder, the vehicle became an immediate, stationary obstacle in harm's way, creating an extreme risk of a high-speed rear-end collision or chain-reaction pileup that easily could have resulted in severe injury or a fatality for myself and other motorists. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Answer: Yes. The problem was confirmed by a certified technician who pulled active diagnostic trouble codes P0304 and P0316. The technician performed a borescope inspection through spark plug #4 and visually verified coolant intrusion inside Cylinder 4. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Answer: Inspected and diagnosed by a servicing dealer/technician who generated an official repair estimate (#9,496.97) confirming the defect and recommending engine replacement per Ford TSB 22-2229. (Note: Mention if inspected by insurance/police, otherwise leave as dealership/facility only). 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages? Answer: The Check Engine Light (CEL) illuminated immediately before or during the engine shutdown. The diagnostic codes (P0316 and P0304) indicate startup misfires caused by coolant accumulating in the cylinder while parked.
Component: Engine (2.0L EcoBoost) — coolant intrusion into cylinders What failed: The engine in my 2019 Lincoln MKC (2.0L EcoBoost, approximately 83,000 miles) failed due to internal coolant intrusion into the cylinders. This is a known defect in this engine, documented by the manufacturer in TSB 22-2229 (superseding TSB 19-2346), which acknowledges coolant leaking into the cylinders on 2.0L EcoBoost vehicles and specifies complete long block engine replacement as the only repair. My vehicle and the failed engine are available for inspection upon request. The car/engine is currently at the [XXX] Ford in Draper, UT. Safety risk: Coolant intrusion causes engine misfires and can cause sudden loss of engine power while driving, hydro-locking of the engine, and — per the manufacturer's own bulletins and pending litigation — overheating, cracked cylinder heads, and engine fires. The check engine light began flashing while I was on the highway. I am also a dialysis patient awaiting a kidney transplant, and a sudden engine failure or stall while driving to medical treatment poses a serious safety risk. Confirmed by a service center: Yes. On or about XXX, [XXX], a franchised Lincoln dealership, performed a borescope inspection of the engine and confirmed the failure, stating the engine must be replaced at a quoted cost of $7,897.45. I have the written diagnosis and repair estimate. Inspected by the manufacturer or others: No police or insurance inspection was involved, as this was a mechanical failure rather than a collision. Warning signs before failure: Unexplained low coolant level requiring repeated top-offs; white smoke from the exhaust, especially at cold start; check engine light, steady or flashing; rough running or misfire, often with codes P0300–P0304 or P0316; sweet coolant smell. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The engine on my 2019 Lincoln MKC (2.0L EcoBoost) suffered a sudden internal failure without warning shortly after the factory powertrain warranty expired. The vehicle had no prior drivability issues, no warning lights, and had been maintained on schedule. While driving, the engine began running roughly and quickly lost power. The vehicle became unsafe to operate and had to be towed. The dealership diagnosed the engine as having internal mechanical failure requiring complete engine replacement. I was told the failure was not due to maintenance and that the engine could not be repaired. The failure occurred only weeks after the 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty period ended. This appears consistent with other reported EcoBoost engine failures involving internal defects such as coolant intrusion, low-tension piston rings, or block-related issues. A sudden loss of power while driving presents a safety hazard, especially in traffic or at highway speeds. I am submitting this complaint so the federal safety agency is aware of this engine failure pattern and the safety risk associated with unexpected engine shutdowns on these vehicles.
2019 Lincoln MKC with 96K mileage suddenly started running rough around 30mph and I was losing power as I was entering a highway on a ramp. RPM needle was fluctuating between 2K and 3K. Immediately drove back home and towed it to Lincoln shop. They said its an issue with Coolant Intrusion into the engine compartment and would have to replace the engine block. Estimated at $11K. Extended warranty company said claim is likely to be denied as these Ecoboost 2.0L engines are notorious for these issues. It is a faulty manufacturing and there is no recall. Costing consumers thousands of dollars and also putting lives of passengers at risk.
On or about July 29, 2025, the check engine light illuminated in my 2019 Lincoln MKC Sport with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine. A mechanic inspected the vehicle on August 4, 2025, and confirmed coolant is entering cylinder one, likely due to a blown head gasket or, less likely, an engine block crack. Symptoms include coolant loss, potential misfiring, and the check engine light activation. The issue was identified through diagnostic testing (e.g., borescope inspection or compression test, pending specific results). No external coolant leaks were observed, indicating an internal engine failure. The vehicle has 89,516 miles and was purchased three months ago on May 5, 2025, from Ford City in Champaign, Illinois. Safety Concerns: Coolant intrusion into cylinder one risks engine misfiring, rough idling, or sudden power loss, which could cause engine stalling or failure during operation. This poses a serious safety hazard, as it may lead to loss of vehicle control, particularly at highway speeds or in traffic, endangering the driver, passengers, and other road users. The defect compromises the reliability of the 2.0L EcoBoost engine and requires costly repairs. Additional Context: • No known history of severe overheating exists, but maintenance records prior to purchase are unavailable. • The vehicle has no aftermarket modifications. • No crashes or injuries have occurred, but the issue emerged shortly after purchase, suggesting a possible pre-existing defect. • Similar coolant intrusion issues have been reported in earlier 2.0L EcoBoost engines (e.g., 2013–2016 Ford models), and this may indicate a recurring defect in the 2019 MKC. • I urge the federal safety agency to investigate whether this engine issue warrants a recall due to its potential safety impact.
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 2017-2020 Fusion/MKZ and 2017-2019 Escape/MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may...
- Light to moderate ticking type noise at idle (600-700 RPM). The noise is usually more prominent in the...
- 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 2019 Lincoln MKC loss of power
Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 2019 Lincoln MKC?
7 of 123 owner complaints about the 2019 Lincoln MKC (6%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 2017.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2019 Lincoln MKC?
There is 1 recall and 17 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2019 Lincoln MKC
Engine failure 35Check engine light 32Overheating 27Misfire 25Stalling 10Backup camera 7
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