The most-reported MKC run is 5LMCJ1A99FU (2015 builds) with 9 complaints, 4.1× the typical run. Engine problems make up 50% of reports; 2015 is the worst model year at 3.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for MKC model years 2015–2019.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Lincoln MKC has 269 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 6% of every MKC complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5LMCJ1A99FU•••••• | 2015 | 1 | — | |
| 5LMCJ3C9XHU•••••• | 2017 | 1 | — | |
| 5LMCJ1C94HU•••••• | 2017 | 1 | — | |
| 5LMTJ2AH5FU•••••• | 2015 | — | — | |
| 5LMCJ3D99HU•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 5LMCJ3D9XHU•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 5LMCJ1A98FU•••••• | 2015 | — | — | |
| 5LMCJ2C92KU•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 5LMCJ1A97FU•••••• | 2015 | 1 | — | |
| 5LMTJ2AH6FU•••••• | 2015 | — | — | |
| 5LMCJ2D99HU•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 5LMCJ1A94FU•••••• | 2015 | — | — |
Each of the other 257 MKC runs has 5 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 46 MKC VINs so far, most often 2017, 2015, 2019 builds; 5 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Lincoln MKC the gap between build years is 2×: a 2015 car draws 3.2 complaints per run, a 2016 one 1.6.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 119 | 59 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 76 | 48 | 3 | |
| 2017 | 189 | 75 | 7 | |
| 2016 | 76 | 48 | 1 | |
| 2015 | 126 | 39 | 6 |
Heaviest year here is 2015 at 3.2 complaints per run; lightest is 2016 at 1.6.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 50% of everything Lincoln MKC owners report: Engine, 314 of 586 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 9 | |
| Electrical System | 4 | 1 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 | 1 | |
| Power Train | 3 | 1 | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | — | — | |
| Steering | 3 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 14 recall campaigns on the Lincoln MKC; the 6 below cover build years 2015 to 2019. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 23V378000 | Engine | 2015–2019 |
| 25V572000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 2015–2019 |
| 25V685000 | Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater | 2016–2019 |
| 26V011000 | Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater | 2015–2016 |
| 16V183000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 2015–2016 |
| 18V104000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings | 2018 |
23V378000 was opened in 2023 on cars built from 2015: 8 years on the road before the recall.
The MKC against its rivals
The MKC draws 2.2 complaints per production run; the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.5 and the Subaru XV CrossTrek 1.5.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln MKC | 586 | 269 | 3.1% | |
| Hyundai Santa Fe Sport | 1,152 | 453 | 1.5% | |
| Subaru XV CrossTrek | 264 | 175 | 8% |
How serious were they
Of the 586 reports on the Lincoln MKC, 3.1% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Lincoln MKC | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 586 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 18 (3.1%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 11 (1.9%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 47% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Lincoln MKC share of that is 586 complaints over 269 runs, 0.05% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Lincoln MKC VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 586 NHTSA complaints from 269 MKC runs and 14 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which MKC production run has the most complaints?
5LMCJ1A99FU, a 2015 build, with 9 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical MKC run has 2.2.
Which MKC years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2015 is heaviest at 3.2 complaints per run and 2016 lightest at 1.6.
Does the MKC get more complaints than the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
No: 2.2 complaints per production run for the MKC against 2.5 for the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport.
How many MKC complaints involve a crash?
3.1% of 586 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 11 involved a fire.
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