2017 Lincoln Mkc Engine Problems

Head gasket failure where engine coolant leaked internally into the engine cylinders.

NHTSA ID

11756340

Incident

Aug 5, 2026

For the last 17,000 miles, the engine light has been on. We got it checked out and there is coolant and cylinder three we change the cylinder thought it was a misfire, but the problem keeps occurring and we found out information that those engines are bad.

NHTSA ID

11755783

Incident

Jan 5, 2026

Check Engine Light present. Took car to Ford dealership. Formal diagnosis from Ford dealership: Coolant intrusion present causing misfires, specifically in cylinder 4. P0304 and P0316 codes present. This is a known manufacturing issue; however, Lincoln customer service refuses to acknowledge the problem even exists. Upon talking to the Ford dealership service members, they stated that this is a common issue. One of the service members stated he has already dealt with multiple vehicles with this exact problem this week alone. Having an engine (misfire, steam, etc) go out due to a manufacturing/design flaw, especially while driving on the highway, is a major safety issue. Service team instructed me to no longer drive vehicle which would cause catastrophic damage.

NHTSA ID

11752832

Incident

Jul 6, 2026

I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding my 2017 Lincoln MKC equipped with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine (VIN: [XXX]). The vehicle has experienced a severe, progressive engine failure caused by internal coolant intrusion into Cylinder 1, directly matching the structural design defect detailed by the manufacturer in Technical Service Bulletin TSB 22-2229. This defect allows pressurized engine coolant to continuously leak directly into the combustion cylinders while driving and during engine rest. This creates an immediate safety risk of vehicle hydro-locking during ignition, sudden mid-drive engine stalls at highway speeds due to severe misfires (Fault Code P0301), and unexpected engine overheating. The manufacturer has knowingly built these open-deck engine blocks with narrow coolant grooves prone to fracturing, creating an ongoing risk of sudden thermal failure and power loss in active traffic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11749860

Incident

Jul 12, 2026

Check engine Light P0302 Engine Misfire Cylinder 2. I noticed Low Coolant in the overflow tank. Went to dealer They did a pressure test found coolant Intrusion inside Cylinder 2 open TSB 22-2229 Car or SUV if coolant gets into cylinder can cause engine failure

NHTSA ID

11747809

Incident

Jun 27, 2026

About 3 weeks ago, I was driving, and a red flashing light came on, signalling that my coolant was low. I bought radiator fluid and put it in up to the fill line. I visited my daughter, which is 11/2 hr. away. I checked the radiator reserve when I arrived at her house. The reserve was empty again. I brought it to a local mechanic shop. They diagnosed that I have coolant intrusion in the engine. They said I would need to pay for a new engine around $8800-$9200. I had purchased a lifetime extended warranty when I purchased the car. The Ford dealership diagnosed my car with the same problem as the local mechanic. They said the repair was not covered by the Powertrain warranty do to it being a manufacturing failure. I brought the car home and it has been parked since.

NHTSA ID

11743742

Incident

May 21, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle idled roughly, and there was white smoke coming out of the exhaust. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive coolant consumption, and the low coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the engine replacement was not required, but the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA ID

11741342

Incident

Apr 30, 2026

Mileage

135,000 mi

Lincoln MKC 2017 Engine failure due to Coolant leak. Bought new Lincoln MKC 2017. The current mileage is 52, 500. Upon Starting, engine would shake for about 10 seconds. The Engine light would come ON. Engine light would turn OFF and ON for few weeks. The Dealership diagnostic indicated code P0301. I was advised Full Engine replacement. Currently the Engine is not starting at all. I have heard it's a design issue with the Engine. I have contacted multiple Lincoln dealerships, and each one has its own engine replacement costs. Lincoln Concierge declined my request to help in anyway although it seems to be a design issue with the Engine.

NHTSA ID

11738067

Incident

May 4, 2026

I took my vehicle to the local Ford dealership for service due to a check engine light being on. They pulled the spark plug and found the cylinder full of coolant and found TSB-22-2229. I called Lincoln and was told they wouldn’t assist me because I fell outside their time and mileage limits. This issue should have been a recall due to their defective engine design. Engine replacement is very costly and the company should take responsibility for this flaw.

NHTSA ID

11737706

Incident

Apr 7, 2026

My vehicle started stuttering & shaking when starting. Then the check engine light came on. It was diagnosed with cylinder 2 & 3 misfire. All spark plugs & coil packs replaced. It got better for about 3 months then the problem came right back. Have replaced coil packs multiple times. Took to dealer who said cylinder misfires were caused from coolant leaking & the only fix was to have engine replaced & quoted $11000. This started at about 95000 miles. Vehicle has had perfect maintenance, all oil changes done on Schedule. Dealer said motor can lock up at any moment & this was a manufacturer error.

NHTSA ID

11737395

Incident

Jun 13, 2025

Issue Description: The vehicle developed a check engine light and was diagnosed with a P0302 cylinder #2 misfire. The condition persisted after basic troubleshooting, and the vehicle was taken out of service to prevent further damage. The vehicle was subsequently brought to an authorized Lincoln dealership for diagnostic evaluation. The dealership confirmed that the vehicle requires a full engine replacement due to internal engine failure. The estimated cost of repair is approximately $9,500–$10,000. This failure occurred at approximately 64,000 miles, which is significantly earlier than expected for a major engine failure. Safety Concern: The engine misfire and internal failure can lead to loss of power while driving, creating a potential safety hazard, particularly at highway speeds or during acceleration. Additional Information: Manufacturer technical service bulletins describe coolant intrusion issues in 2.0L EcoBoost engines that can lead to misfires and engine damage. The symptoms experienced in this vehicle are consistent with those described conditions. The manufacturer was contacted for assistance but declined to provide support. Summary: Premature engine failure at low mileage requiring full engine replacement, with symptoms consistent with documented issues affecting this engine type. This condition presents a potential safety concern due to possible loss of power while driving.

NHTSA ID

11732914

Incident

Mar 19, 2026

In 2023 antifreeze was found in the engine cylinder chambers causing the engine to run rough. We purchased the repair/replacement of a new head gasket at a cost of $3500.00. Now, it is Apirl 2026 and we have developed the same issue plus internal oil leaking in the turbo. Our repair shop says we need to replace the engine and the turbo unit at approx cost $11,200.00 (parts and labor). We have come to learn that this Ford 2.0L 4cyn EcoBoost engine has been found to have a design defect causing regular head gasket failure. So, this is our complaint about this engine and product built by Ford Motor Company. We have come to realize we own a very unreliable vehicle built by Ford.

NHTSA ID

11729659

Incident

Aug 15, 2023

The engine in my 2017 Lincoln MKC (2.0L EcoBoost) has a documented manufacturing defect where the cylinder block design allows coolant to leak into the combustion chambers. This has caused persistent, unexplained coolant loss and rough engine performance on cold starts since February 2025, matching the diagnostic criteria in Ford TSB 19-2346. The defective engine assembly is available for inspection. This condition creates a significant safety hazard, including sudden power loss (Limp Mode) in traffic and a risk of engine fire from cracked cylinder heads. While Ford provided a service program (21N12) for 1.5L engines, they have failed to issue a safety recall for the 2.0L variant despite identical failure modes. This vehicle is part of the class in the consolidated litigation Miller, et al. v. Ford Motor Company (Case No. 2:20-cv-01796). I am filing this to assist NHTSA in determining the necessity of a mandatory safety recall.

NHTSA ID

11725771

Incident

Feb 3, 2025

Related to previous recall [XXX] I had the recall repair done. But my car with only 86,744 miles now has coolant in cylinder 3 and it's misfiring so badly the car shouldn't/can't be driven. Dealership says the entire engine needs to be replaced. I have NEVER had a car this low of mileage that an entire engine needed replacement. This is a design flaw in the 2.0 ecoboost and I now have a probably $20,000 or whatever it may have been worth when it ran... Paperweight. It's just sputtering and spitting out loads of smoke as described in original TSB. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11723701

Incident

Mar 11, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle sputtered with a misfire coming from the engine, with the check engine warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinder #3, which caused the engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.

NHTSA ID

11723585

Incident

Mar 11, 2026

Mileage

111,000 mi

Head gasket leaked coolant into the engine and now the engine is not working and needs replaced.

NHTSA ID

11721056

Incident

Oct 28, 2025

At approximately 64,000 miles my engine light came on and I took it to a shop. Cylinder 2 was misfiring so we changed the spark plugs and coils. At 67,000 miles light came on again with same issue and while having my oil changed they noted it was unusually dirty. I changed out plugs and coils again. At 72,000 miles light came on again and I took it to a different shop and learned I had a crack engine block, a problem with these vehicles with ECO boost. I was told I needed a new engine and the only thing I could do was add sealant to buy time. I took it to Lincoln to trade and they refused because of the issue and told me to reset the light and sell to Carmax. I couldn’t do that, it was wrong. I sold it for $1,000 to Nissan because I could no longer afford to be driving my grandson in this unsafe car. Also had a lot of issues with electrical starting from purchase with battery dying and lift gate not working. When I got rid of it the windshield wipers wouldn’t work and radio made aweful static sounds. Horrible car from day 1 purchased brand new.

NHTSA ID

11714215

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

After a repair/service visit at a national auto repair chain, my 2017 Lincoln MKC developed ongoing severe drivability and safety issues. The check engine light began flashing (active misfire), and the vehicle was unsafe for highway travel due to risk of loss of power/engine damage. Independent shop documentation reports cylinder #4 misfire (P0304) and additional engine timing-related code(s), low oil condition, and notes indicating internal engine damage and that the engine may require replacement. The vehicle also had a vacuum/brake booster line issue that affected brake assist until corrected. The problem has been confirmed by independent service centers and the vehicle is available for inspection. There was a near crash, but no fire, injury, or police report occurred.

NHTSA ID

11713672

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

My Lincoln MKC 2017 is having a recurring problem with a misfire in the 3rd cylinder due to a hood gasket, a crack in the coolant, and leaking on the sparks and coils. I have had my mechanic work on and look at it, and it is a manufacturing defect. When I called, there was no recall listed for my vehicle except the backup camera. However, when you look at Kelly Blue Book, it says there is more than one engine recall and issue, which is exactly what is happening to my Lincoln. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

NHTSA ID

11710424

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

The 2017 Lincoln MKC requires a full engine replacement due to a serious, well-documented defect: coolant intrusion. This is a major issue that can destroy critical engine components, including the head gasket, cylinders, and even the engine block. Ford/Lincoln is aware of this problem. They issued multiple TSBs (22-2133 and 22-2229, to name a few), yet customers are not informed. Because there is no recall, if the car is out of warranty, dealers refuse to perform the necessary repairs unless the customer pays tens of thousands of dollars for something that is a known manufacturing defect, leaving them vulnerable to catastrophic engine failure and potential accidents, injuries or worse. This is a known manufacturing defect, and consumers should not bear responsibility for the resulting safety hazards. Ford/Lincoln must take immediate action and issue a recall before it leads to serious injuries or fatalities.

NHTSA ID

11708894

Incident

Dec 30, 2025

Engine failure due to known coolant intrusion defect documented under Ford EcoBoost TSB guidance. Denied goodwill assistance despite defect being manufacturing-related.

NHTSA ID

11703587

Incident

Nov 30, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to O’Reilly Auto Parts and was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #2. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #3. The dealer replaced the ignition coils and the spark plugs; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive coolant consumption, and the contact noticed an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that assistance would not be provided because the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 190,500.

NHTSA ID

11697999

Incident

Jan 15, 2025

Mileage

190,500 mi

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V378000 (ENGINE) and 25V572000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). However, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that while the vehicle started, the interior lights and lights on the instrument panel failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the failure was due to an electrical system failure. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic; however, the independent mechanic referred the contact to the local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the rearview camera displayed a distorted image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. 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 failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11697219

Incident

Aug 20, 2025

Mileage

80,000 mi

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialty shop and was diagnosed with torque converter failure, which caused transmission failure. The torque converter was replaced. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, days after the vehicle was repaired, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a gas station and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine, which caused the cylinder head to crack, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

NHTSA ID

11696115

Incident

Sep 2, 2025

Mileage

112,000 mi

The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel, followed by a coolant temperature message. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with a hairline crack in the engine. The hairline fracture led to coolant intrusion inside cylinder #2, and the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered Technical Service Bulletins 19-2346 and 22-22229, which the contact linked to the failure. The contact called another dealer about the failure and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 98,690.

NHTSA ID

11695303

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

Mileage

98,690 mi