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CarsLore / Makes / Lincoln / Continental

Lincoln Continental

Model years 1981–2020 in the US safety record. No model year stands out in owner complaints. Fewest complaints: 2001, 2018, 2020.

1,674owner complaints
39recall campaigns
1,886service bulletins
26model years on record

Complaints by model year

Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.

’90’93’96’99’02’19’90’93’96’99’02’19

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026

New York safety inspections

Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2000.

0.0%1.0%2.0%’97’99’00’01’17’19’200.8%0.0%1.0%2.0%’97’00’17’200.8%

NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count

Year by year

Model yearComplaintsRecallsBulletinsCrashes · fires
2020 Continental72590 · 0
2019 Continental3331142 · 0
2018 Continental2121291 · 0
2017 Continental7541871 · 0
2002 Continental330384 · 0
2001 Continental321501 · 0
2000 Continental633746 · 3
1999 Continental4221056 · 2
1998 Continental7211408 · 2
1997 Continental9611575 · 3
1996 Continental4821553 · 0
1995 Continental7011515 · 5
1994 Continental19059012 · 2
1993 Continental1214793 · 3
1992 Continental1263663 · 6
1991 Continental2033566 · 19
1990 Continental1583485 · 15
1989 Continental1584466 · 19
1988 Continental849478 · 10
1987 Continental91220 · 2
1986 Continental85232 · 2
1985 Continental152200 · 8
1984 Continental62120 · 2
1983 Continental2280 · 0
1982 Continental1170 · 0
19811030 · 0

A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections

Most common problems

  • Engine and engine cooling393
  • Suspension247
  • Electrical system199
  • Service brakes, hydraulic169
  • Power train163
  • Structure142
  • Steering136
  • Vehicle speed control109

NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years

Fatal crashes in the US

From 2020 to 2023, 51 Continental vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 35 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.

Model yearVehicles in fatal crashesDeaths in the vehicleRolled over
2020110
2019200
2018420
2017320
2002851
2001971
2000420
1999741
1998781
1997110
1996110
1995210
1994110
1979100

NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count

Crash-test ratings by year

NHTSA 5-star results for 4 model-year variants; 4 of 4 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

YearVariantOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
20202020 Lincoln Continental 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆10.6 %
20192019 Lincoln Continental 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆10.6 %
20182018 Lincoln Continental 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆10.6 %
20172017 Lincoln Continental 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆10.6 %

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain

Fuel consumption by year

Official Canadian test results for 11 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 12.0–13.3 L/100 km.

YearVariantEngineTransmissionCityHighwayCombinedCO₂ g/km
2020Continental AWD · Full-size · Regular gasoline2.7 L, 6 cyl.AS614.09.512.0281
2019Continental AWD · Full-size · Regular gasoline2.7 L, 6 cyl.AS614.09.412.0281
2018Continental AWD · Full-size · Regular gasoline2.7 L, 6 cyl.AS614.09.412.0280
2017Continental AWD · Full-size · Regular gasoline2.7 L, 6 cyl.AS614.09.512.0281
2002Continental · Full-size · Premium gasoline4.6 L, 8 cyl.A415.210.212.9297
2001Continental · Full-size · Premium gasoline4.6 L, 8 cyl.A415.210.212.9297
2000Continental · Full-size · Premium gasoline4.6 L, 8 cyl.A415.210.212.9297
1999Continental · Full-size · Premium gasoline4.6 L, 8 cyl.A415.510.413.2304
1998Continental # · Full-size · Premium gasoline4.6 L, 8 cyl.A415.510.513.3306
1997Continental # · Full-size · Premium gasoline4.6 L, 8 cyl.A415.510.313.2304
1996Continental # · Full-size · Premium gasoline4.6 L, 8 cyl.A415.710.213.2304

Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada

In New Zealand

208 Continental cars are on the New Zealand register; 92% arrived as used imports.

Model yearRegisteredSold new in NZUsed imports
2011110
2001101
1999101
1996101
1993101
1991101
1981202
1980100
197922022
197812012
197718116
1976909
1975412
1974807
197312110
1972505
1971312
1970202
196913013
1968706
196713013
196622021
1965909
1964604
196312012
196211011
1961303
1960201
1959303
1957100

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0

In the Netherlands

596 Continental cars are on Dutch roads; 93% arrived later as imports. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.

First registeredOn the roadImportedMedian list price
19798890%—
19785980%—
19775591%—
19765796%—
19753786%—
19743194%—
19736994%—
19726397%—
197141100%—
197025100%—
196950100%—
19672195%—

RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new

In Finland

113 Continental cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 100% petrol, 0% diesel. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.

First registeredIn useAverage mileage
19792453,000 km
19781253,000 km
1977959,000 km
19762059,000 km
1975739,000 km
1974958,000 km
1973932,000 km
19721161,000 km
1971542,000 km
1969757,000 km

Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0

New registrations in Europe

6 new Lincoln Continental cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2019 and 2021, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2021 the largest markets were Spain (1), Germany (1).

YearNew carsLargest marketsMass kgCO₂ g/kmPower kW
20212Spain, Germany1,859—172
20201Sweden3,065397 (NEDC)227
20193Germany1,915225 (NEDC)192

Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement

Recalls

39 campaigns cover the Continental; the latest 12 are below.

25V442000 · Back over prevention27 Jun 2025 · 2019, 2020

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

22V644000 · Back over prevention26 Aug 2022 · 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2020 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental vehicles equipped with the 360-degree camera system. Degradation of the camera's anit-reflective lens coating can lead to a foggy or cloudy rearview camera image.

19V077000 · Latches/locks/linkages11 Feb 2019 · 2017, 2018, 2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Lincoln Continental vehicles. The door latch pawl motors may not function properly, possibly resulting in a door latch not fully engaging.

17V123000 · Air bags27 Feb 2017 · 2017

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles and 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles. In the event of a crash, the driver's frontal air bag may not fully inflate or the air bag cushion may detach from the air bag module. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

16V731000 · Exterior lighting12 Oct 2016 · 2017

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles manufactured June 14, 2016, to September 23, 2016 and equipped with high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. The headlights may have been built with incorrect lenses, adversely affecting the turn signal visibility as well as not being properly marked. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."

03V144000 · Air bags9 Apr 2003 · 1999, 2000

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY AS A RESULT OF UNDERBODY IMPACTS NEAR THE SENSORS, SUCH AS THOSE OCCURRING FROM PIECES OF GRAVEL OR DEBRIS THROWN FROM THE WHEELS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED AT MODERATE TO HIGH SPEED OR BEING ACCELERATED.

01V258000 · Visibility8 Aug 2001 · 2000, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPLETE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, OR IGNITION OF THE PLASTIC COVER MATERIAL. SWITCH MALFUNCTION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE INTERMITTENT SETTING OF THE WIPERS IS BEING USED, OR WHEN SNOW OR ICE OBSTRUCTS THE BLADES FROM RETURNING TO THE "PARKED" POSITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT AT THE FOLLOWING ASSEMBLY PLANTS: ATLANTA PLANT FROM 2/11/00 THROUGH 7/31/00; CHICAGO PLANT FROM 2/14/00 THROUGH 8/4/00; KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 2/26/00 TO 9/4/00; KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/18/00 TO 8/31/00; MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/23/00 THROUGH 8/3/00; NORFOLK PLANT FROM 2/21/00 THROUGH 7/27/00; WAYNE STAMPING AND ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 2/25/00 THROUGH 8/15/00; AND WIXOM PLANT FROM 2/15/00 THROUGH 8/8/00.

99V250000 · Seat belts20 Sept 1999 · 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE A PIN SHAFT IN THE SWITCHABLE ELR/ALR MECHANISM THAT IS INCORRECTLY FORMED. IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SWITCHING MECHANISM COULD BECOME NONFUNCTIONAL, PREVENTING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING FROM BEING EXTRACTED FROM THE RETRACTOR. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT MALFUNCTION OF THE MECHANISM COULD PREVENT THE BELT FROM BEING SWITCHED INTO THE ALR MODE. THE ELR MECHANISM IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION.

98V323000 · Structure16 Dec 1998 · 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.

98V269000 · Fuel system, gasoline27 Oct 1998 · 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER HOSE WAS DAMAGED DURING FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY ALLOWING FUEL LEAKAGE.

98V028000 · Exterior lighting10 Feb 1998 · 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

98V009000 · Exterior lighting21 Jan 1998 · 1993, 1994

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.

NHTSA recalls