LincolnMKC2018Overview/lincoln/mkc/2018/base/

2018 Lincoln MKC

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 MKC.

Body SUV

The 2018 Lincoln MKC is a compact SUV built on the Lincoln‑derived platform that houses a 5.7‑quart engine oil capacity with a 5W‑30 viscosity requirement, underscoring its emphasis on robust performance and longevity. In a five‑year span from 2015 to 2019, the MKC’s complaint trajectory peaked in 2017 with 182 owner concerns, but the 2018 model year marked a significant downturn, recording only 67 complaints—its lowest in the series—despite four recalls that year. This decline places the 2018 MKC as a relatively reliable iteration within its lineage, offering researchers a data point that balances mechanical expectations with a measurable reduction in owner grievances.

Model year20192018201720162015

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · Start Stop: 760; Without Start Stop: 610 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 48 · Start Stop: 760; Without Start Stop: 610 CCAOEM · 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-30 engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. 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 Coolant Capacity8.6
Engine Coolant Capacity8.1
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.7 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)14.7 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub98.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.030 in
Spark Plug Torque9 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.031 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.70 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking PerformanceStart Stop: 760; Without Start Stop: 610 cca
Standard BCI Group Number48

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum55.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum73.0 psi
RPM55.0-73.0 rpm
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum55.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum73.0 psi
RPM55.0-73.0 rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque21
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 129; Rear: 66
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .906; Rear: .374
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
159.0 ft. lbs., 90 degrees Do not re-use old hub nut. Refer to installation procedure for proper installation. Failure to install properly will result in damage to hub and bearing.59 ft. lbs
Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
159.0 ft. lbs., 90 degrees Do not re-use old hub nut. Refer to installation procedure for proper installation. Failure to install properly will result in damage to hub and bearing.59 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
162.0 inch lbs.62 in
2142.0 inch lbs.142 in
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
162.0 inch lbs.62 in
212.0
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
160
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
160
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
2Back off bolts 360.0 degrees360 degrees
321.0 ft. lbs.21 ft. lbs
490.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
221.0 ft. lbs.; Step 3; 90.021 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9074 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9074 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep New cylinder head bolts must be installed.

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
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
137.0 ft. lbs.; Step 2; 59.0 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
383.0
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
137.0 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
259.0 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
383.0 ft. lbs.83 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
1Install New Studs12.5 ft. lbs
237
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
144.0 inch lbs.44 in
218.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
390.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
144.0 inch lbs.44 in
218.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
390.0
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
217.0

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 2018 Lincoln MKC represents the low point for owner complaints in this generation, with just 67 NHTSA complaints compared to the 2017 spike of 182 and the 2015 debut year’s 129. While recalls ticked up slightly to four from 2017’s three, they remain well below the 12 and five seen in 2015 and 2016, and investigations dropped to zero, where they stayed through 2019. Technical service bulletins declined to 121 from the 164-165 range of 2016-2017, with Engine complaints leading the 2018 file at 35 entries, followed by Engine & Engine Cooling at seven, though the data does not specify root causes. With zero fire complaints and only three crash-related complaints, the 2018 model year sits at the bottom of the complaint curve after the 2017 peak and before 2019’s rise to 108 complaints, making it the most statistically favorable year to purchase within this generation.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
121
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
67
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 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 67 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine35
Engine & Engine Cooling7
Wheels4
Back Over Prevention3
Unknown Or Other2
Power Train,Unknown Or Other,Engine1
Steering,Power Train1
Equipment,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V104000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 12/02/2018

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… 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…

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 121 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 2018 MKC take?

5.7 qt of With Turbo: 5W-30 Meeting Ford Specification WSS-M2C946A or equivalent, Non Turbo: Meeting Ford Specification WSS-M2C945A or equivalent, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 MKC have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.