The Lemon Index
20161st generation
Better than average · most complaints: electrical
28 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 292015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 842015 Porsche Macan 20
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,900 and 43,000 miles (7,900–69,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 28 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V011000 (equipment), 25V572000 (back over prevention) and 25V270000 (back over prevention) done? It has 12 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lincoln's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 28 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 43K miles (8K to 69K km) on the car (25 of all 28 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The manual lift gate will not always open. When in drive or in park while turned off, there is a sound coming from the lift gate like it is trying to function.
2015 Lincoln MKC owner · NHTSA complaint 11057117
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 4.2M views · 2015–2019 Lincoln MKC
- Brakes & ABS127K views
How to Put Lincoln MKC MKT MKZ Parking Brake in Maintenance Mode 2017 Others before brake changeAl Young Cuda · 72K views · 2 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring66K views
How to Replace Head Light 2015-2019 Lincoln MKCTRQ · 46K views · 2 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors57K views
How To Replace The Air Filter On Lincoln MKC 2015-2019 Change, Install Ford Escape Engine Air IntakeWorkingWithWimberley · 38K views · 2 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors32K views
How to Replace Outside Mirror 2015-2019 Lincoln MKCTRQ · 24K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Steering & suspension32K views
How to Replace Rear Shock 2015-2019 Lincoln MKCTRQ · 24K views · 2 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical28K views
2016 Lincoln MKC Battery Replacementmidwestman78 · 24K views · 2 videos - Driveshaft, axles & 4x422K views
2018 Lincoln MKC Purge Valve and CV Axle Replacement (Part 1)Dan's Auto Diagnostics And Repair · 20K views · 2 videos - Timing chain & engine9K views
How to Open the Hood on a Lincoln MKC (2015–2019) 🔧 Step-by-Step GuideClay Auto · 5K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
2015 Lincoln MKC Common Problems and Recalls. Should you buy it?MaxTheCarGuy · 27K views
2017 Lincoln MKC - Review and Road TestKelley Blue Book · 310K views
2015 Lincoln MKC First Drive Review in TFL 4K: Is Lincoln Back?The Fast Lane Car · 138K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2015 is the same generation.
Recalls 12
- Equipment · recall issued 2026 2.0L engines only New: most likely still open
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
The rearview camera printed circuit board terminal header connector may be loose or damaged, which can result in a blank or distorted image.
Show all 12 recalls
- Engine · recall issued 2023
The battery monitor sensor may short-circuit and overheat, causing a fire in the engine compartment while parked or driving.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2020
These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2017
Improperly manufactured bolts may have been used to install certain seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles, or seatbelt anchors on these vehicles.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2016
A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
- Engine · recall issued 2016
The affected vehicles are equipped with 2.3L GTDI engines and engine block heaters.
- Electrical · recall issued 2015
In the affected vehicles, the Push-to Start/Stop (PTS) button that is located at the bottom of the shift transmission controls may inadvertently be pushed, causing the engine to shut off.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2015
On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 45,505 vehicles, including certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured November 11, 2013, to August 29, 2014, 2014-2015 Ford …
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack between the filter body and the filter cap, possibly resulting in low fuel pressure.
- Visibility · recall issued 2014
The affected vehicles may have visible air bubbles in the windshield glass.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedDoor latch failures2019–2022
- ClosedDoor latch failure2016
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln MKC SUV AWD Later Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln MKC SUV FWD Later Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln MKC SUV FWD Early Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln MKC SUV AWD Early Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,600–$2,850 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl.
Every Lincoln MKC year. 2015 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 5 Lincoln MKC years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2015 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-mkc/?y=2015" title="Lincoln MKC reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lincoln-mkc/2015/">Lemon Index</a> (2015 Lincoln MKC reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2015 Lincoln MKC reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 75; 100 is average, lower is better). The Lincoln MKC year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2019.
What are the most common 2015 Lincoln MKC problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (25%), airbags (14%) and body structure (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2015 Lincoln MKC have?
12 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Lincoln MKC get?
21 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2015 Lincoln MKC safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2015 Lincoln MKC problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,900 and 43,000 miles (7,900–69,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 28 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2015 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2015 Lincoln MKC have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2015 Lincoln MKC cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $2,850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2015 Lincoln MKC have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl.
What Lincoln MKC year is better than the 2015?
Nearby, the 2018 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2019 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works