Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln MKC vs Honda Accord
How the Lincoln MKC and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Lincoln MKC vs Honda Accord: The MKC averaged about 120 complaints per year over 5 years, while the Accord averaged about 452 per year over 10 years. The MKC has 27 recalls and 19 crash-related reports; the Accord has 38 recalls and 162 crash-related reports. Both have engine issues, but the MKC's are often coolant-related. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln MKC or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lincoln MKC
The Lincoln MKC is a compact luxury SUV that, based on NHTSA data, shows a concentrated pattern of engine problems—especially coolant leaking into the engine, which can require a full engine replacement. Over five years, it averaged about 120 complaints per year, with 27 recalls and 19 crash-related reports. Owners also report electrical glitches like side mirrors folding on their own and backup camera failures tied to an open recall. For a used buyer, the MKC demands careful attention to engine health and recall completion.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream midsize sedan with a much higher total complaint count—over 4,500 in ten years, averaging about 452 per year—but that reflects its far larger sales volume. The most common trouble spots are the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, with reports of stalling, power steering and braking failures, and adaptive cruise control braking unexpectedly. There are also 146 injuries and 3 deaths reported, though these are raw counts without context. A used Accord buyer should focus on hybrid system software, fuel pump recalls, and electronic safety features.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln MKC | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 598 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 27 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 19 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 119.6 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 9 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 3 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Lincoln MKC
- 01ENGINE321
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM68
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER63
- 04BACK OVER PREVENTION51
- 05POWER TRAIN51
Owners frequently report coolant leaking into the engine, which can lead to engine failure and a costly long-block replacement. One owner also found missing bolts after a repair, suggesting quality control issues that could affect reliability.
Complaints include side view mirrors folding inward on their own when the vehicle is started, and staying folded after a restart. This is a nuisance and potential safety issue if mirrors are needed for visibility.
There is an open recall (25V572000) for the rearview camera, with owners reporting the part was unavailable and the camera failed while in reverse. This means backup visibility can be lost until the recall is fixed.
Some owners report the vehicle shutting off while in motion, requiring them to coast to safety. This is a serious safety concern that could lead to a crash if it happens in traffic.
“1st Engine Failure Dec 2021 due to coolant intrusion and the long block engine needed to be replaced. After the repair I came to look at it & I found, Bolts were missing—including from the undercarriage, battery mount, & power steering reservoir, splash guard…”
“I purchased the automobile on [XXX] with 44,175 miles. When the engine light came on recently, I took it to the Lincoln dealer here in Las Vegas, paid $205 for the computer to be assessed, and was told the problem was coolant leaking into the engine. They wer…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe rattling noises while accelerating, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden loss of power with multiple dashboard alarms. These symptoms can indicate hybrid system or engine management issues that are hard to diagnose.
Reports include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as tire failure after a TPMS warning was supposedly fixed. Such failures can be catastrophic if they occur while driving.
Owners report the system braking unexpectedly or failing to respond, even with adaptive cruise control set. This can cause near-collisions or loss of control, and repeated dealer visits may not resolve the problem.
There are complaints of a persistent rotten-egg or sulfur odor, which can indicate fuel or emissions problems. A recall exists for the fuel pump, so buyers should verify it has been replaced.
“Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not…”
“Vehicle makes rattling noises while accelerating similar to a diesel engine also rough transitions between EV mode and Gas mode also when you press the charge button the engine makes a very noticeable jerk once it’s on ,Honda does not want to fix my issue and…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Lincoln MKC — 27 recalls
The defect: 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 brake fluid leak.
The risk: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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 Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for…
The defect: 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.
The risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: 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 of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8,…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it…
The risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded bl…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it…
The risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded bl…
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identificati…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2026 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2025-2026 CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles. When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
The risk: A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tire repair kit nozzle or sealant bottle, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint sys…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
Buyer analysis
Lincoln MKC or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Lincoln MKC has far fewer complaints per year (about 120) than the Honda Accord (about 452), but the MKC's complaints are heavily concentrated in engine failures that can be expensive. The Accord's higher count is partly due to much higher sales, but it also has more crash-related reports and injuries. In practice, the MKC may have fewer total issues, but the ones it has can be severe; the Accord spreads its problems across more systems.
Key differences
- The Lincoln MKC's top complaint is engine failure from coolant intrusion, often requiring a new engine; the Honda Accord's top complaint is also engine-related but includes rattling, rough hybrid transitions, and sudden power loss.
- The MKC has a specific open recall for the backup camera (25V572000) that owners say lacks parts; the Accord has recalls for hybrid software, fuel pump, and seat belts, among others.
- The Accord has far more reported crashes (162 vs 19) and injuries (146 vs 9), though these are raw counts and not adjusted for sales volume.
- The MKC averaged about 120 complaints per year over 5 years; the Accord averaged about 452 per year over 10 years, but the Accord sells in much higher numbers.
- Check for coolant loss or white smoke from the exhaust, and ask for records of any engine replacement or coolant-related repairs—this is the most common major failure.
- Verify that recall 25V572000 for the backup camera has been performed; if not, the rearview camera may not work, and parts may be unavailable.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking at low and high speeds, and listen for rattling noises during acceleration—these can signal hybrid or engine problems.
- Confirm that the fuel pump recall and any hybrid software updates have been completed, and check for a persistent sulfur or rotten-egg smell that could indicate fuel system issues.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific vehicle and confirm they have been fixed.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on engine coolant pressure, hybrid system codes, and electronic safety features.
- Ask for complete maintenance records, especially any engine or transmission work, and check for signs of missing bolts or poor repair quality.
- Test drive at highway speeds to check for unexpected braking, steering lock-up, or power loss, and test all cameras and sensors.
- For the Accord, verify the fuel pump and hybrid software recalls were done; for the MKC, check for coolant intrusion and backup camera function.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Lincoln MKC | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 122 | 691 |
| 2018 | 74 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 191 | 537 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Lincoln MKC or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln MKC vs Honda Accord
- Lincoln MKC total complaints
- 598
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Lincoln MKC total recalls
- 27
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Lincoln MKC avg complaints/year
- 119.6
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln MKC
- Lincoln MKC top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE