LincolnMKC2015Overview/lincoln/mkc/2015/base/

2015 Lincoln MKC

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 MKC.

Body SUV

The 2015 Lincoln MKC enters as a compact SUV with a 5.7-quart oil capacity spec'd for 5W-30 viscosity, and its first model year logged 129 owner complaints alongside 12 recalls, with engine issues leading the complaint categories. Across the 2015-2019 generation, complaint volume peaked at 182 in 2017 before dropping to a low of 67 in 2018, positioning the 2015 debut year below the generation's worst but well above its best. This early reliability footprint suggests the MKC's teething problems persisted past launch before improving in later builds.

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

Fitment & sizes

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

Tire size235/50R18OEM · 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 weight3964 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, DOT 4 brake fluid. 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
Engine Coolant Capacity9.7
Engine Coolant Capacity9.2
Engine OilSAE 5W · Synthetic · SAE 5W
Engine Oil Capacity5.7 qt
Engine OilSAE 5W · Synthetic · SAE 5W
Engine Oil Capacity5.7 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.2 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.2 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.2 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.2 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)14.75 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug21.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs
Driveshaft Flange to Transmission26.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts35.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub98.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub98.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub98 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Type12405
Spark Plug Gap.035 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity24.0 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeYN-12-D
Oil Capacity4.4 oz
Standard BCI Cranking Performance610 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17.4-21.7 psi
Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17.4-21.7 psi
RPM55.1-72.5 Low pressure side @ Idle rpm
RPM55.1-72.5 Low pressure side @ Idle rpm
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)55-73 engine running psi
Engine Oil Pressure29.0-60.0 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 13.25; Rear: 22.0
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 129.0; Rear: 66.0
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 3.5; Rear: 3.5
Minimum Pad Thickness0.059 in
Solid Rotor Maximum Scoring Depth0.004-0.015
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 0.906; Rear: 0.374
Maximum Rotor Runout0.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep NOTICE: Failure to follow the camshaft tightening procedure can result in damage to the camshafts. · NOTE: Lubricate the camshaft journals and camshaft bearing caps with clean engine oil. · Material: Motorcraft(R) SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil (U.S.) / XO-5W30-QSP (U.S.) (WSS-M2C946-A)

15.2
211.8
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep NOTICE: Failure to follow the camshaft tightening procedure can result in damage to the camshafts. · NOTE: Lubricate the camshaft journals and camshaft bearing caps with clean engine oil. · Lubricate the camshafts and caps with clean engine oil and install the camshafts, caps and bolts. · Material: Motorcraft(R) SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil (U.S.) / XO-5W30-QSP (U.S.) (WSS-M2C946-A) · Tighten 2 turns at a time in the sequence shown in 2 Steps.

17.4
214.75
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
160
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep NOTICE: The rod cap installation must keep the same orientation as marked during disassembly or engine damage may occur. · NOTE: After installation of each connecting rod cap, rotate the crankshaft to verify smooth operation. · Torque:

17.4
221.0
390 degrees90 degrees
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Center Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
190
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Center Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
190
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep NOTE: The cylinder head bolts are torque-to-yield and must not be reused. New cylinder head bolts must be installed.

15.2
211.1
341.0
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep NOTE: The cylinder head bolts are torque-to-yield and must not be reused. New cylinder head bolts must be installed. · Install the cylinder head and the 10 new bolts and tighten in 5 Steps.

15.2
211.1
341.0
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
159.0 Step 3: 83.0
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep NOTE: Special bolts are used for installation. Do not use standard bolts.

137.0
259.0
383.0
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
137.0
259.0
383.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep NOTE: Lubricate the new main bearing beam bolts threads and under the bolt heads with clean engine oil. · NOTE: Position the crankshaft to the rear of the cylinder block, then position the crankshaft to the front of the cylinder block before tightening the main bearing beam bolts. · Material: Motorcraft(R) SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil (U.S.) / XO-5W30-QSP (U.S.) (WSS-M2C946-A)

13.6
218.0
390 degrees90 degrees
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
17.4
214.75
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
17.4
214.75

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 Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (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 2015 Lincoln MKC marks the beginning of this data set and carries the highest number of recalls (12) and investigations (3) of any year in the generation. While its 129 complaints are fewer than the 182 reported for 2017, they are higher than those recorded for 2016, 2018, and 2019. For the 2015 model, the primary complaint area was the engine with 23 reports, followed by back over prevention with 12, alongside 7 crash complaints and 1 fire complaint. Technical Service Bulletins for this year were high at 151, reflecting a trend of elevated TSBs seen through 2017 before they began to decline. Because this year exhibits the peak for both recalls and federal investigations, it is not the best year to buy.

12
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
151
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
129
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 1 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 129 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine23
Back Over Prevention12
Unknown Or Other10
Power Train10
Electrical System10
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Steering5
Exterior Lighting4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V331000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:LatchReported 08/06/2020

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge…

17V472000Seat BeltsReported 25/07/2017

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford F-150 and E-350, 2014-2015 Ford Escape, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles. Improperly manufactured bolts may have been used to install certain seats, seatbacks… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected bolts, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 8, 2017. Owners…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 151 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25N15 S12026-04-20Electrical SystemCustomer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple…
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…
SSM 530402024-10-10Unknown Or OtherWhile performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a…
SSM 523352024-03-06Engine And Engine CoolingFor 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer…

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 2015 MKC take?

5.7 qt of Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil; Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Super Premium Motor Oil XO-5W30-QSP; CXO-5W30-LSP12; or equivalent, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 MKC have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.