KnownCarProblems2016 Lincoln Mkc Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 80 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Lincoln Mkc, most often about the engine (57% of complaints, typically around 82,000 miles). It is 4th of 5 Mkc model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2016 Lincoln Mkc problems
Engine
46 complaints · 57%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Mkc. The contact stated that the engine fault message was displayed and there was a misfire in cylinder #4. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine needed to be replaced and recommended he contact the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer…
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Mkc. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke entering the cabin through the vents. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic converter needed…
Transmission
12 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Mkc. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and lost motive power. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who…
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Mkc. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke entering the cabin through the vents. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic converter needed…
Electrical
11 complaints · 14%The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Mkc. The contact stated that while opening or closing the front driverâs and passengerâs side doors, the contact heard an abnormal clicking sound in the front driverâs and passengerâs side doors. The mirrors also clicked erratically and inadvertently moved making it difficult to…
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Mkc. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v378000 (engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle, a message displayed on the instrument panel âbattery disconnectedâ and the vehicle…
Other or unspecified
9 complaints · 11%My husband and I are leasing a 2016 Lincoln Mkc equipped with a 2.3 eco-boost engine. Recently lost power while traveling on the highway at 65 MPH which was quite frightening. Also occurred traveling up the street from our home while going slowly. Called the dealership where purchased and were told not able to…
Occasional very hard shifting at low speeds, around 25-30 MPH while lightly pressing on the gas. Feels/sounds like vehicle being hit from behind. Dealer can never duplicate the problem.
Steering
5 complaints · 6%Power steering froze up instantly when sudden fluid drop in system. Car could not be steered to side of road. Once fluid was put back in reservoir the steering came back. This could have cause s fatal accident.
Backup camera
4 complaints · 5%The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Mkc. The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera image was distorted or black. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Mkc. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v572000 (back over prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black screen or was glitching while the vehicle was in reverse(r).…
Fuel system
4 complaints · 5%Lights
3 complaints · 4%Passenger's side headlamp became inoperative (burned out). Upon investigation at the Lincoln dealership they noticed the bulb was not fully seated. Closer inspection revealed that one of the ears that spring clip locks to was missing from the assembly. There was no explanation of how the spring clip locks were…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Lincoln Mkc recalls
Equipment: engine block heater
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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 plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed march 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26s01. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall b
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 focus, 2013-2019 escape, and 2015-2016 mkc vehicles equipped with a 2.0l engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Equipment: engine block heater
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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
Full defect summary
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.
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine
Risk: Overheating of the engine block increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and replace the electrical cord, as necessary. The recall began on may 18, 2016. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16s14. Note: owners should not use the engine block heater until the vehicle has been remedied.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 lincoln mkc vehicles manufactured november 25, 2013, to january 25, 2016, and 2016 ford explorer vehicles manufactured october 20, 2014, to january 28, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with 2.3l gtdi engines and engine block heaters. These engine block heaters have elements that may overheat while plugged in.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2016 Lincoln Mkc
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Lincoln Mkc?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (46 complaints, typically around 82,000 miles); transmission (12 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles); electrical (11 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Lincoln Mkc have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 15, 2026 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Lincoln Mkc?
- It is 4th of 5 Mkc model years by number of complaints, with 80 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.