NHTSA Complaint #11612919 — 2018 LINCOLN MKC

I have the 2.0L EcoBoost I-4 (assembled December 2017, engine block part number HV 206 AA) in my 2018 Lincoln MKC Black Label. The head gasket failed at 37,000 miles in May 2023, according to my Ford/Lincoln dealer. It started as intermittent misfiring/running rough with the check engine light illuminated. My scanner detected the code P0301 cylinder one misfire. My coolant reservoir tank level also gradually decreased, with no visible leakage. After waiting weeks to have my engine looked at, they confirmed that cylinder 1 was burning coolant as it failed Ford's cooling system pressurization test. A borescope test also proved that the coolant was leaking into cylinder one's combustion chamber. At this point, I've learned from many complaints online that these engines are notorious for suffering coolant intrusion even at low mileage, and Ford refuses to issue a recall despite this well-known issue that also plagues other EcoBoost I-4 variants. This well-known coolant intrusion problem affecting many Ford and Lincoln models is a costly safety issue for owners. Ford needs to do the right thing and recall these engines. I bought the car in December 2021 with 30,000 miles from a Lincoln dealer in Las Vegas, Nevada, and it was CPO, so the extended warranty covered the engine replacement (long block). Had this not been under warranty, I would have paid more than $7,000. Most owners are not fortunate like me to have a warranty cover this repair. The replacement engine in my MKC now was assembled in March 2023 via the engine code information sticker, with the block part number J2GE 6006 AC.