NHTSA Complaint #11687785 — 2015 LINCOLN MKC

I got out of work and went to start my car. At first it did not want to start, and it acted like the alarm system had an issue. I locked my car, then unlocked it with the key fob, and when it started, it ran rough and was smoking out of the exhaust. I turned it off and quickly checked the fluids. I noticed the antifreeze was low, and since I always carry fluids in the car, I filled up the reservoir and then tried to restart my car. It did the same thing, not wanting to start until I locked and unlocked with the key fob. I drove home, but the check engine light was on the entire time. The following morning, I started my car and it was blowing white smoke out of the exhaust. I turned it off and contacted a local auto repair shop. It had to be towed to the shop so as to not cause damage. The auto shop said it was the head gaskets and since there was a known problem with the coolant leaking, I would have to get a whole new (used) engine. The total would be over $8000. I called another repair shop to see if they would be willing to replace the head gaskets, and after they agreed, I had it towed to their shop. After diagnostics, (no negligence on my part) this shop also refused to just replace the gasket citing an ongoing class action lawsuit due to a known head failure, and the repair with a new engine would be over $9000. I had purchased an extended warranty (power train) when I purchased this vehicle, and it included seals and gaskets...so I thought I was covered for this problem. The warranty company refused to cover it since it was a head problem. I still have 2 years of payments left on this vehicle.