2019 Lincoln MKC reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2019 Lincoln MKC holds 119 complaints after 8 years, a rate of 2 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most MKC years here — under the median of the other years, which is 4. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Engine block heater, Camera, and Engine.

2015 Lincoln MKC — Photo by Navigator84, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

119

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (89 of 119), then Electrical system (12) and Back-over prevention (7). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash and 2 that report a fire.

Next to 2018

The 2018 MKC has 74 complaints, 2 per year. The 2019 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2018.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2019 Lincoln MKC. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (3)

Recall equipment, electrical, engine block heater 2025-10-10 · NHTSA campaign 25V685000

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.

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 September 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 NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2025-09-04 · NHTSA campaign 25V572000

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.

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 NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.

Recall Engine 2023-05-26 · NHTSA campaign 23V378000

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.

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.

Complaints by component (119 total)

Engine

Electrical system

Back-over prevention

Engine and engine cooling

Powertrain

Fuel and propulsion system

Service brakes

Wheels

Air bags

Interior lighting

Lane departure

Latches, locks, and linkages

Seats

Speed control

Steering

Structure

Suspension

Visibility and wipers

Show 10 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"Sept 2026. Coolant intrusion. Causes engine light to illuminate, engine to overheat, rendering vehicle unable/unsafe to drive, potential fire risk. The failure was diagnosed by Lincoln dealer as a known defect via…"
Engine · filed 2026-09-16
"The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with coolant…"
Engine and engine cooling · filed 2026-09-14
"Coolant intrusion into the engine at 20000miles. complete engine failure. lincoln dealership diagnosed that a long-block engine replacement is required. serious safety hazard due to potential sudden stalling while…"
Powertrain, Engine · filed 2026-09-14
"The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle unexpectedly jolted. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The…"
Engine and engine cooling · filed 2026-09-10
"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…"
Engine · filed 2026-08-22

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2019 Lincoln MKC SUV AWD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2019 Lincoln MKC SUV FWD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
MKC all-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	19	25	21 MPG	$3100
MKC all-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	19	25	22 MPG	$2950
MKC all-wheel drive	2.3L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	18	25	20 MPG	$3250
MKC front-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	20	27	23 MPG	$2800

Specs and fitment

1st generation, 2015–2019

Body styles SUV

Oil 5W-30 (2.0L and 2.3L turbo) , 5.7 qt capacity

Tire size 235/50R18, 235/45R19, 245/45R19 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 23V-378 covers certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC vehicles: the battery monitor sensor may short-circuit and overheat, causing an engine-compartment fire while parked or driving. Owners are advised to park outside; dealers add an in-line fuse to the sensor power circuit. Recall 25V-572 covers certain 2015-2019 MKC vehicles among other Ford/Lincoln models: the rearview camera may display an inverted, distorted, or blank image; dealers inspect and replace the camera as needed.

Compare

Previous year 2018 Lincoln MKC See every Lincoln MKC model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Lincoln MKC reliable?

What are common problems with a 2019 Lincoln MKC?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (89 of 119), then Electrical system (12) and Back-over prevention (7). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash and 2 that report a fire.

Is the 2019 Lincoln MKC more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2018 MKC has 74 complaints, 2 per year. The 2019 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2018.

Has the 2019 Lincoln MKC been recalled?

The 2019 Lincoln MKC has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Lincoln MKC?

Owners have filed 119 complaints about the 2019 Lincoln MKC with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2019 Lincoln MKC get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2019 Lincoln MKC is 21.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Lincoln MKC take?

5W-30 for the 2.0L and 2.3L turbo engines on the 2015-2019 generation.

What tire sizes does the MKC use?

235/50R18, 235/45R19, and 245/45R19 depending on trim.

What does recall 23V-378 cover on the MKC?

Certain 2015-2019 MKC vehicles: the battery monitor sensor may short-circuit and overheat, causing an engine-compartment fire while parked or driving. Owners are advised to park outside; dealers add an in-line fuse to the sensor power circuit.