Lincoln MKC Fire Risk Results in Recall for 142K SUVs, Warning to Park Outside

Electrical problems resulting in short-circuiting events have been linked to at least 19 Lincoln MKC vehicle fires, officials warn.

Ford Motor Co. has issued a recall for nearly 143,000 Lincoln MKC vehicles, which may be prone to electrical short-circuits that create a fire risk, even when the SUV is parked.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Lincoln MKC recall on June 1, warning owners to park their vehicles outside and away from any structure, until repairs are conducted.

A defect in the vehicle’s battery monitor sensor may cause a fire in the Lincoln MKC engine compartment, regardless of whether it is in motion or the engine is turned off.

Lincoln MKC Engine Fire Investigation

Ford initiated an investigation of the problems with Lincoln MKC engine fires in March 2023, after their Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) received 18 at least reports of fires occurring underneath the hoods of 2015 to 2017 model year vehicles while they were parked and turned off. The automaker reviewed vehicle inspection reports, product design and supplier reviews, supplier reviews, field data and lab analysis in an attempt to identify the cause of the vehicle fires.

The internal review continued until last month, when the automaker determined that the Lincoln MKC fires appear to start near the vehicle’s 12-volt battery. They concluded that the battery sensor monitor, which measures the voltage, charge, temperature and health of the vehicle’s battery, may have been placed in a position that makes the sensor vulnerable to damage if the battery or other related electrical components of the vehicle are serviced.

In the event that the housing of the sensor becomes damaged, an electrical short-circuit can occur within the circuit board, which may overload the circuit and allow an overflow of electrical current that can generate enough heat to start a fire.

While no injuries have been reported in connection to the recall, Ford is aware of at least 19 incidents to date involving fires within the vehicle’s engine compartments that appear to be related to the battery monitor sensor defect. According to the report, the reported under-hood fires occurred in the United States, China and Canada, and at least 7 of those incidents occurred while the vehicle was in park and turned off.

The Lincoln MKC recall impacts approximately 142,734 vehicles from the model years 2015 through 2019, which were manufactured between August 20, 2013 and August 2, 2019.

Ford expects to notify vehicle owners of the recall by mail beginning on June 26, with instructions on how to schedule an appointment with a licensed Lincoln dealer, who will provide free repair by adding an in-line fuse to the battery monitor sensor’s power circuit. Owners who have already had their vehicles repaired at their own expense are eligible for reimbursement through Ford’s general reimbursement plan until November 30, 2023.

For more information on the recall, or to determine whether your vehicle may be affected by the recall, owners can contact Ford’s customer service toll-free at 1-866-436-7332 and reference recall number 23S28, or their local Ford or Lincoln dealerships.

Owners may also contact the NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236, (1-800-424-9153), or visit online at www.nhtsa.gov.