Is the 2017 Lincoln MKC a bad year?
194 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 129, 2.7× a quiet MKC year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 50k–99k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 5 of 129 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 MKC owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 71,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 129 (66%) | 50k–99k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Backup camera | 21 (11%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 20 (10%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 71,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 194 complaints: 7 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 3 report an injury · 6 say the car was towed.
46 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
First noticed the problem when I had no heat blowing from my heater, (Car was not overheating or anything), I checked my antifreeze and it was low so I added it and I had heat in my car again.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 71,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 Lincoln MKC: 3
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse. A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The battery monitor sensor may short-circuit and overheat, causing a fire in the engine compartment while parked or driving. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Lincoln: 153
Repair instructions Lincoln sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Lincoln MKC. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: Customer concern of a vibration or rough idle…
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM)…
Certain 2015-2019 MKC and 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with the 2.3L engine and 6F35 transmission; Powertrain Control Module reprogram
Neighbouring years
2016 MKC: 82 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2018 MKC: 78 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Lincoln MKC year
2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · All MKC years side by side
Other Lincoln models: Lincoln Aviator · Lincoln Continental · Lincoln Corsair · Lincoln LS · Lincoln MKS · Lincoln MKT · Lincoln MKX · Lincoln MKZ · Lincoln MKZ Hybrid · Lincoln Nautilus · Lincoln Navigator · Lincoln Town Car · Lincoln Zephyr. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2017 Lincoln MKC a bad year?
194 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 129, 2.7× a quiet MKC year. At 71,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 50k–99k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 5 of 129 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Lincoln MKC?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (129), backup camera (21), electrical system (20), transmission and drivetrain (10). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 50k–99k miles.
How many recalls does the 2017 Lincoln MKC have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Equipment (NHTSA 25V-685), Backup camera (NHTSA 25V-572), Engine (NHTSA 23V-378). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.