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 the federal safety agency 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)
Lincoln MKC jerking problems
11 of the 608 owner complaints about the Lincoln MKC describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 11
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical mileage
- 78,000
By model year
- 20181
- 20173
- 20164
- 20153
Often reported together
Engine failure 3Check engine light 3Transmission failure 1Sudden acceleration 1Stalling 1Shudder 1Overheating 1Misfire 1
What owners say
When driving you could smell fumes, it would jerk, and kick in and out of gear and would have no heat. Coolant was always low with no visible leaks to the mechanic.
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.
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.
My car was vibrating and shifting weird. I recently repaired the brakes thinking that was the source of the vibration however the vibration escalated and the car shakes violently when stopped and jerk forward after releasing the brakes. My mechanic said this was a known issue with my model and pointed me to Customer Satisfaction Program 20N07. I spoke with Ford who indicated my VIN was not eligible for this CSP.
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle jerked and stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact then smelled a burning odor throughout the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact then received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V378000 (Engine). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for routine maintenance, the dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. Additionally, the vehicle was jerking while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pulled off the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the wrench symbol was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power and slower speeds; however, while depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle was jerking while the RPM was increasing. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and had not been repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that she had experienced a failure of the rear passenger’s side seat belt which started to tighten independently while her child was in her car seat and restrained by the belt. The contact stated that she had to cut the seat belt webbing to the disconnect button on the belt buckle. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
When vehicle is slowed (even slightly) by deaccelerating or sped up by accelerating the shifting suddening and harshly grabs and lurches effecting vehicle stability. The impact is very pronounced and audibly loud at highway speeds. The vehicle has also lunged forward as shifting occurs when braking just prior to coming to a full stop. This has happened on multiple dates.
I am the owner of a 2015 lincoln mkc with 50,406 miles with a bad transmission. The car would 'jerk' as it automatically shift into gear when driving on a highway or on a local road. This is a serious problem for any driver.having a 2015 model car with 50,406 miles having a transmission rebuilt, the safety of this car need to be investigated.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Lincoln MKC jerking
Which Lincoln MKC years have jerking or lurching problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (4 complaints), 2015 (3 complaints) and 2017 (3 complaints).
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