The Lemon Index
201520171st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
12 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 462016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 332016 Porsche Macan
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 10 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V011000 (equipment), 25V685000 (equipment) and 25V572000 (back over prevention) done? It has 5 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?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Lincoln sent dealers 165 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “2015-2016 mkc - without active park assist intermittently inoperative steering column controls…”?
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 12 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 3K to 34K miles (5K to 55K km) on the car (10 of all 12 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
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.
2016 Lincoln MKC owner · NHTSA complaint 11254005
More owner reports
Have been calling the dealer and not returning my call.delray motors 561 454 1800 there is a recall
NHTSA complaint 11082433
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 2016 is the same generation.
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 165 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 2015-2016 mkc - without active park assist intermittently inoperative steering column controls…
- 2015-2016 mkc - active park assist inoperative steering column controls with…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- 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.
- Equipment · recall issued 2025
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.
Show all 5 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.
- Engine · recall issued 2016
The affected vehicles are equipped with 2.3L GTDI engines and engine block heaters.
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
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 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln MKC SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
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. 2016 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 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-mkc/?y=2016" 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/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Lincoln MKC reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Lincoln MKC reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew a bit under half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 40; 100 is average, lower is better). The Lincoln MKC year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2019.
What are the most common 2016 Lincoln MKC problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (17%), steering (17%) and engine (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Lincoln MKC have?
5 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 2016 Lincoln MKC get?
21 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 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.
Does the 2016 Lincoln MKC have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 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 2016 Lincoln MKC have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl.
What Lincoln MKC year is better than the 2016?
Nearby, the 2019 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter as many complaints as the average car).
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