For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford has evaluated turbochargers replaced for oil leak symptoms and although oil may collect on the external surface of a turbocharger, it is extremely rare for a turbocharger assembly to be the root cause of the oil leak. Careful inspection of the turbocharger oil feed and drain tubes should be performed along with the recommended WSM procedures as needed. Warranty claims for turbocharger replacement going forward will be assessed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Lincoln MKC engine problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Lincoln MKC have filed 35 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 95,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
35
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 MKC | 25 |
| 2016 MKC (this page) | 35 |
| 2017 MKC | 106 |
| 2018 MKC | 43 |
| 2019 MKC | 77 |
3fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 35 engine complaints filed for the 2016 Lincoln MKC, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 45% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 4 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 35 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer Vehicles Equipped With the 2.3L Engine and 6F35 Transmission Powertrain Control Module Reprogram Submitting Owner Letters
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2014-2017 C-MAX Energi, 2014-2020 Fusion plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), 2015-2017 MKZ/MKZ Hybrid/MKC, 2016-2017 MKX, 2016-2018 Focus battery electric vehicle (BEV) and 2017 Continental vehicles equipped with SYNC screens 8 inch or larger may be unable to complete modem authorization after 3G to 4G modem upgrade was performed. No Authorization Popup displayed on SYNC infotainment screen during the Authorization process. This may be due to the Sync Software. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to toggle Valet Mode.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to small debris causing the VCT solenoid to stick. Before attempting any component diagnosis or replacement of the VCT solenoid, refer to Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) pinpoint test HK11 to cycle the affected VCT solenoid 10 times to attempt to clear the debris. For claiming, use causal part 6M280 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine may exhibit a vibration/rough idle when the vehicle is in DRIVE or REVERSE. The vehicle may also exhibit a lack of engine revolutions per minute (RPM), lack of acceleration on take off and/or shudder while driving. This may be due to the torque converter overheating causing damage to the torque converter as well as possible internal damage to the transmission. To correct this condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the torque converter and specified internal transmission components that may have been damaged.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Lincoln MKC with 2.0 EcoBoost engines shows a clear pattern of coolant leaking into the cylinders, causing low coolant levels that owners cannot explain by external leaks. Owners report the check engine light coming on, white smoke from the exhaust, loss of power, shaking, and engine overheating. Some discover the problem only when the vehicle stops running completely at highway speeds or refuses to start.
Owners mention replacing spark plugs, ignition coils, turbos, fuel injectors, and fuel pressure sensors through independent shops and dealerships, yet the failures return. When dealerships finally run a full diagnostic, they inform owners the entire long block or engine must be replaced—a $9,300 to $15,000 repair. Ford and Lincoln cite the vehicle's age or production plant details to deny warranty claims, even though NHTSA Campaign 23V378000 addresses this exact engine design flaw.
Two owners report engine fires while the vehicle was parked and off, with no warning lights beforehand. One vehicle was declared a total loss by insurance; one fire caused injuries. Most owners complaining about recall parts note those parts remain unavailable months or over a year after receiving recall notifications, leaving them unable to proceed with repairs.
Same Lincoln MKC engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Coolant intrusion into cylinders
Antifreeze leaks into the combustion chambers, causing coolant to be ingested by the engine. Owners report low coolant levels despite no visible external leak, and excessive coolant consumption. This is the dominant failure mode across the narratives and is tied to the 2.0 EcoBoost engine design in 2016 Lincoln MKC models.
When: Mileage ranges from approximately 57,000 to 158,000 miles; onset varies from weeks to months after purchase or ownership period
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Engine hesitation on startup; Loss of power while driving; Excessive coolant consumption; White smoke from exhaust; Vehicle shaking or vibration; Engine overheating; Low coolant level without visible external leak
Codes mentioned: P0300 (misfire codes implied), P0304 (cylinder 4 misfire), Engine fault message
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement quoted at $9,300–$15,000 depending on labor costs. Partial repairs such as spark plugs, ignition coils, turbo oil lines, turbos, fuel injectors, and fuel pressure sensors have been attempted but failures recurred. Long block replacement mentioned in some cases. Some owners report over $1,000 spent on repeated failed repairs before full engine replacement diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 23V378000 (Engine) issued; however, owners report recall parts remain unavailable as of complaint filing dates. Some owners received recall notification but were told VINs do not qualify based on production plant. Ford and Lincoln have denied assistance in most cases, citing vehicle out of warranty or VIN not included in recall. Technical Service Bulletin 19-2346 (Coolant in Cylinders) referenced in one case but vehicle not repaired.
Engine fire while parked and off
Two complaints describe spontaneous engine compartment fires while the vehicle was parked and not running. One vehicle was deemed a total loss by insurance. One fire resulted in injuries to an employee. These incidents occurred without warning lights and are related to coolant intrusion per complainants' assessment of recall campaign 23V378000.
When: At 95,000 miles and at an unreported mileage while vehicle was parked and off
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke emanating from engine compartment; Flames visible in engine compartment; No warning lights illuminated prior to fire
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle was towed and declared total loss by insurance. No repair attempted. Fire report and police report filed; injuries reported in one case (shoulder, elbow, hip injuries sustained while evacuating vehicle).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer assistance documented. One owner related failure to NHTSA Campaign 23V378000 but vehicle had not been repaired prior to fire. Manufacturer not notified in one case.
Engine stalling and shift system faults
Vehicle stalls while driving at various speeds, with or without warning lights. One complaint includes 'Shift System Fault' message on instrument panel. Restarts possible in some cases. Cause not always determined at time of complaint.
When: Mileage approximately 95,850 and other undisclosed mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Stalling while driving; Jerking before stall; Shift System Fault message displayed; No warning lights in some cases; Burning odor after stalling event
Repairs/costs cited: Unknown sensor replacement attempted; failure recurred. Dealer initially refused to assist in one case and suggested battery replacement instead.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but did not assist. No recall or TSB referenced for stalling symptoms in these narratives.
Check engine light with inconclusive diagnostics
Check engine light illuminates but diagnostic codes do not clearly pinpoint coolant intrusion. In some cases, dealers diagnosed and repaired supercharger or boost issues that recurred, or diagnostics remained incomplete due to recall parts unavailability.
When: Approximately 60,000 miles and other undisclosed mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Vehicle hesitation on acceleration; RPM fluctuation
Codes mentioned: Supercharger-A and under boost fault codes implied
Repairs/costs cited: Supercharger-A and under boost components replaced but check engine light recurred. Incomplete diagnostics in recall cases due to unavailable parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or assistance provided in non-coolant-intrusion cases documented in narratives.
Synthesized from 35 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not…
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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution…
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was overheating. The contact stated that he turned on the A/C to cool down the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, where the spark plugs, the two variable valve timing solenoids, and the turbo oil lines were replaced, and other unknown repairs were performed; however, the…
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 local dealer and a secondary dealer, Planet Lincoln Dallas Love Field (7767 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75209) were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shaking, and the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that her brother had replaced the spark plugs and ignition coils. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that…
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a coolant leak into cylinder #3 and the engine block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not…
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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a…
Had engine trouble with your 2016 Lincoln MKC?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2016 Lincoln MKC?
It's a meaningful issue. 35 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 80,000 and 155,000 miles, with the median around 95,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 80,000; a quarter make it past 155,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Lincoln/MKC.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.