2016 Lincoln MKC problems
The 2016 Lincoln MKC has 77 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2016 Lincoln MKC has 77 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 35 complaints, typically surfacing around 103,120 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 MKC | 129 | 3 |
| 2016 MKC (this page) | 77 | 0 |
| 2017 MKC | 182 | 0 |
| 2018 MKC | 67 | 0 |
| 2019 MKC | 109 | 1 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Engine: 35 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 80,000–155,000 mi
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 Lincoln MKC SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2016 Lincoln MKC? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- engine — 35 owner reports · tends to show around 103,120 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- powertrain — 11 owner reports · tends to show around 59,111 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 51,000 mi · ~$850 to fix
- steering — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 34,000 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 103,120 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2016 Lincoln MKC
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 4 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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 dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The…
A gasket failed which allowed coolant to leak into the engine. Due to lack of coolant, two of the cylinder heads cracked and warping of the engine block occurred. No coolant in the engine could result in a engine seizure or fire which poses an extreme risk to one's safety.…
I was involved in a heavy front end collision - during the collision my airbag did not deploy. My vehicle was in motion, going about 45 miles an hour. The vehicle in front of me slammed on it's brakes and I collided with them. The main airbag in the steering wheel did not…
As far as everybody did and shut down three times in a major intersections as far as to completely shut off or keep up with the camera activity and it seems to not be able to empower through the cabin or central part of the cabin where the computer is stored when I had my…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2016 Lincoln MKC reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Lincoln MKC is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Lincoln MKC?
The 2016 Lincoln MKC is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Engine: 35 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 80,000–155,000 mi; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 Lincoln MKC?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 35 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 103,120 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 Lincoln MKC a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 77 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 103,120 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Lincoln MKC?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 35 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 103,120 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 103,120 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Lincoln MKC has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Lincoln MKC?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 77 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.