Model year 2018 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2018 Lincoln MKC: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2018 Lincoln MKC at 20–23 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 76 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

EPA combined mpg

20–23

NHTSA overall rating

4/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Lincoln dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2018 Lincoln MKC recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 4 safety recalls for the 2018 Lincoln MKC, newest first.

Equipment: Electrical: Engine block heater

NHTSA 25V685000 Reported Oct 10, 2025

Filed by: Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25SA4)
Units affected: 59,006 (estimate)
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. 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.
Remedy: 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 element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Back over prevention: Sensing system: Camera

NHTSA 25V572000 Reported Sep 3, 2025

Filed by: Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 25S89)
Units affected: 1,456,417 (estimate)
Problem: 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 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Engine

NHTSA 23V378000 Reported May 26, 2023 Park outside

Filed by: Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 23S28)
Units affected: 142,734 (estimate)
Problem: 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.
Remedy: 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 were mailed August 8, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S28.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Service brakes, hydraulic: Foundation components: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA 18V104000 Reported Feb 12, 2018

Filed by: Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 18S04)
Units affected: 88 (estimate)
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape and Lincoln MKC vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with incorrect front brake hoses that may chafe against other components, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
Risk: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake hoses, replacing any that are incorrect, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S04.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2018 Lincoln MKC fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2018 Lincoln MKC EPA fuel economy
Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	Fuel	City/Hwy/Comb	Fuel cost/yr	CO2 g/mi
MKC AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 6-speed	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	19/25/21 mpg	$3,200	413
MKC AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 6-speed	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	19/25/22 mpg	$3,050	404
MKC AWD	2.3L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 6-speed	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	18/25/20 mpg	$3,350	436
MKC FWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 6-speed	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	21/28/23 mpg	$2,900	386

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2018 Lincoln MKC crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2018 Lincoln MKC NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk	Forward collision warning
2018 Lincoln MKC SUV AWD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars	16.9%	Optional
2018 Lincoln MKC SUV FWD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars	16.4%	Optional

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2018 Lincoln MKC owner complaints

Owners have filed 76 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Lincoln MKC, most recently on Oct 7, 2026. 3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 4 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2018 Lincoln MKC complaints
Component named in complaints	Mentions
Engine	47
Engine and engine cooling	10
Power train	6
Unknown or other	5
Back over prevention	3
Electrical system	2
Steering	2
Wheels	2
Wheels: Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	2
Air bags	1

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Lincoln MKC model years

Lincoln MKC by model year
Year	Combined	Recalls	Complaints	Overall rating
2019 MKC	20–23 mpg	3	123	4/5
2017 MKC	21–23 mpg	3	193	4/5
2016 MKC	21–23 mpg	5	80	4/5
2015 MKC	21–23 mpg	12	129	4/5

All Lincoln MKC years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2018 Lincoln models

2018 Lincoln Continental 2018 Lincoln MKT 2018 Lincoln MKX 2018 Lincoln MKZ 2018 Lincoln Navigator

Sources

Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Lincoln.