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2015 Lincoln MKC problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
47%
56 of 119 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

47% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2015 Lincoln MKC are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.

Worse than 59% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).

Excludes 12 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 43%).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026

The VIN is on the listing, the driver’s door jamb, and the bottom of the windshield on the driver’s side.

Does the 2015 Lincoln MKC have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 56 of 119 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2015 Lincoln MKC concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (47%), and the largest group is filed under engine (33). For comparison, the 2016 scores 69%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
56
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
131
this model year
Fires reported
1
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
12
7 crashes · 2 injuries

Complaints by component

ENGINE33 · 25%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM23 · 18%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER18 · 14%
POWER TRAIN18 · 14%
BACK OVER PREVENTION16 · 12%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM12 · 9%

The years either side

2010
no data
2011
no data
2012
no data
2013
no data
2014
no data
2015
47%
56 of 131
2016
69%
53 of 80
2017
71%
134 of 191
2018
78%
57 of 74
2019
82%
99 of 122
2020
no data
2021
no data
2022
no data
2023
no data

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

How the 2015 compares with other Lincoln MKC years

Of the 5 Lincoln MKC years with enough complaints to score, the 2015 is the best on engine and transmission share (47%). The worst is the 2019 (82%). By volume, the 2015 drew 131 complaints (56 drivetrain), against 80 for the 2016.

Lincoln MKC years to avoid and best years →

In the full report

The rest of the picture on the 2015 Lincoln MKC

  • The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2015 Lincoln MKC said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
  • What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
  • Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
  • Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
  • What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
  • Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.

What one owner reported

POWER TRAIN07/31/2018CRASH1 INJURED
ON APRIL 14, 2017, AT 9:10 P.M., ON MY WAY HOME, I PULLED UP TO OUR TOWNHOME MAIL BOX CENTER, PUT MY CAR IN PARK, UNHOOKED MY SEAT BELT AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR IN ORDER TO GET MY MAIL. I LEFT MY CAR DOOR OPEN AS I WAS ONLY GOING TO GET THE MAIL AND GET BACK IN, AS I HAVE DONE THOUSANDS OF TIMES. RIGHT AFTER I GOT…

One of 56 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

2015 Lincoln MKC engine recalls

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns on the 2015 Lincoln MKC involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 12 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.

equipment: electrical: engine block heater26V011000 · Jan 2026

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater…

engine23V378000 · May 2023

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC vehicles. The battery monitor sensor may short-circuit and overheat, causing a fire in the engine compartment while parked or driving.

Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will add an in-line fuse to the battery monitor sensor power circuit, free of charge. Owner notification letters…

engine and engine cooling: engine16V183000 · Mar 2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured November 25, 2013, to January 25, 2016, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured October 20, 2014, to January 28, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with 2.3L GTDI engines and engine block heaters. These engine block heaters have elements that may overheat while plugged in.

Risk: Overheating of the engine block increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and replace the electrical cord, as necessary. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Owners may contact…

fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump15V005000 · Jan 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on January 8, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 15, 2014, to May 8, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured April 21, 2014, to May 15, 2014. 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…

Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is…

fuel system, gasoline: delivery14V525000 · Sep 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured May 1, 2014, to May 24, 2014, 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured on June 6, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured June 4, 2014, to July 7, 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.

Risk: A reduction in fuel pressure may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S20.

7 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
back over prevention: sensing system: camera25V572000 · Sep 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550…
back over prevention: sensing system: camera25V270000 · Apr 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 F-250, F-350, F-450, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and MKC vehicles. The rearview camera printed circuit board terminal header connector may be…
latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch20V331000 · Jun 2020
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and…
seat belts17V472000 · Jul 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford F-150 and E-350, 2014-2015 Ford Escape, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles. Improperly manufactured bolts may have been used to install certain…
latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch16V643000 · Sep 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles.…
electrical system: ignition: switch15V006000 · Jan 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured August 20, 2013, to September 9, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the Push-to Start/Stop (PTS) button…
visibility: windshield14V484000 · Aug 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured August 20, 2013, to June 6, 2014. The affected vehicles may have visible air bubbles in the…

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 3, 2026.

Checking one particular 2015 Lincoln MKC? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.

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Questions people ask about the 2015 Lincoln MKC

Does the 2015 Lincoln MKC have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 56 of 119 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2015 Lincoln MKC concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (47%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.

What is the most common problem with the 2015 Lincoln MKC?

Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2015 Lincoln MKC is engine: 33 of 131 complaints (25%) name it, followed by electrical system (23) and power train (18). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap.

Is the 2015 Lincoln MKC reliable?

On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 47% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (high signal). That is worse than 59% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 5 Lincoln MKC years we score, it ranks best. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2015 Lincoln MKC?

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns on the 2015 Lincoln MKC involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 12 in total: 26V011000 (equipment: electrical: engine block heater), 23V378000 (engine), 16V183000 (engine and engine cooling: engine), and more. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which Lincoln MKC years are better?

The 2015 has the lowest engine and transmission complaint share of the Lincoln MKC years we track (47%). The other years run higher. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/lincoln-mkc

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.