LincolnMKC2016Overview/lincoln/mkc/2016/base/

2016 Lincoln MKC

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 MKC.

Body SUV

The 2016 Lincoln MKC is a luxury SUV whose powertrain maintenance calls for 5.7 quarts of 5W-20 engine oil. With 77 total owner complaints and five recalls logged against it — engine issues leading the complaint areas — this model year occupies a middle ground in the MKC's reliability history across 20152019. It sits well below the 2017 peak of 182 complaints and modestly above the 2018 low of 67, suggesting the 2016 represents a relatively stable but not trouble-free point in the model's lifecycle.

Model year20192018201720162015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20OEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI NS · NS CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI NS · NS CCAOEM · verified
Tire size235/50R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rimNA, 8.0, 8.0, 9.0 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length179.1 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height65.4 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Curb weight3951 lb
Track (front / rear)62.6 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the MKC of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.5–7.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.50 sec — 2015 2.3 EcoBoost
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20152.3 EcoBoost 2.3L Turbo I-46.50 sec15.00 sec285 hpAWD
20152.3 EcoBoost 2.3L Turbo I-46.60 sec15.20 sec285 hpAWD
20152.0 EcoBoost 2.0L Turbo I-47.30 sec15.70 sec240 hpFWD
20152.0 EcoBoost 2.0L Turbo I-47.60 sec15.90 sec240 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.7 qt of 5W-20 engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.0
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.4 qt
Engine CoolantUse
Engine Coolant Capacity9.7 qt
Engine CoolantUse
Engine Coolant Capacity9.2 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14.7 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsInstall new studs: 12.5 ft/lbs; 2nd step:
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsInstall new studs: 12.5 ft/lbs; 2nd step:
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts111.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub98.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.035 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.051 in
Spark Plug Torque9 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.40 oz

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)55-73 engine running psi
Intake Valve Lash0.007-0.012 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.012-0.017 in
Intake Valve Lash0.007-0.012 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.012-0.017 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 22; Rear: 22 /; Front: 22; Rear: 21
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 129; Rear: 66 /; Front: 129; Rear: 66
ABS Sensor Torque6.6 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementStamped on rotor
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishStamped on rotor

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
159.0 ft. lbs., 9059 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse any bolts. Coat new bolts with specified engine oil.

15.17 ft. lbs.5.17 ft. lbs
211.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
341.0 ft. lbs.41 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Lincoln MKC sits at a favorable point in the generation's federal record, marking a sharp decline in complaints from 129 in its debut 2015 year down to just 77, alongside a drop in recalls from 12 to 5. While the 2017 model year later saw a spike to 182 complaints, the 2016 model benefits from the lowest complaint volume of the generation and a reduction in federal investigations to just one. The 2016 model's 165 Technical Service Bulletins—the generation's highest—suggests proactive manufacturer resolution of early production bugs, though the data does not specify the root causes for its 27 engine complaints or 7 fire complaints. Consequently, the 2016 MKC represents a relatively stable choice compared to the problematic 2015 launch and the complaint-heavy 2017 model, making it a good year to buy provided you verify that the engine and fire-related service bulletins were properly addressed.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
165
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
77
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 7 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 77 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine27
Unknown Or Other5
Power Train5
Back Over Prevention4
Engine & Engine Cooling4
Electrical System4
Steering3
Engine & Engine Cooling,Engine2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V183000Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 31/03/2016

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… Remedy: 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…

23V378000EngineReported 26/05/2023

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. 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 165 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25B512026-05-08EngineCertain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model…
25N15 S12026-04-20Electrical SystemCustomer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple…
TSB 25-25702025-11-26Electrical SystemThis article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles…
SSM 543662025-11-11Power TrainSome 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic…
TSB 25-20052025-01-24Unknown Or Other"Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific MKC. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2016 MKC take?

5.7 qt of 5W-20 meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C946-A or equivalent., per the factory manual.

Does the 2016 MKC have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.