Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Lincoln Continental Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 39 recall campaigns across the Lincoln Continental, 1981–2020. Owners have filed 1,673 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 1994 drew the most (190) and the 2020 the fewest (7).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls39campaignsCovering 1981–2020 model yearsSource: NHTSA Complaints1,673filedOwner reports across 26 model yearsSource: NHTSA ODI Crash tests5★overall★★★★★2020 model, latest ratedSource: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy21mpg combined2020 model, best configurationSource: EPA

Lincoln Continental complaints by model year

1,673 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 2020 · 7 complaints
  • 2018 · 21 complaints
  • 2001 · 32 complaints

Most complaints

  • 1994 · 190 complaints
  • 1992 · 126 complaints
  • 1993 · 121 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 1997–2020. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Lincoln Continental owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component1997199819992000200120022017201820192020
Electrical system 77096114551
Suspension 1031212851000
Unknown or other 22124516442
Air bags 44916122000
Engine and engine cooling 61444441100
Vehicle speed control 81353360000
Structure 15020020270
Power train 10727323110

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Lincoln Continental recalls (39)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Continental model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Lincoln Continental
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
25V442000Jun 27, 2025Rearview Camera Image May Not Display2019, 202054.8%
22V644000Aug 26, 2022Cloudy Camera Lens May Reduce Rear Visibility2017–202062%
19V077000Feb 11, 2019Doors May Open While Driving2017, 2018, 201986.8%
17V123000Feb 27, 2017Frontal Air Bag may not Deploy Properly/FMVSS 208201785.8%
16V731000Oct 12, 2016Incorrect Headlight Lenses/FMVSS 108201780.2%
03V144000Apr 9, 2003FORD/AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT1999, 2000—
01V258000Aug 8, 2001FORD/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER2000, 2001—
99V250000Sep 20, 1999FORD/SEAT BELT RETRACTOR2000—
98V323000Dec 16, 1998FORD/SUBFRAME CORROSION1988–1994—
98V269000Oct 27, 1998FORD/FUEL HOSE1999—
98V028000Feb 10, 1998FORD/FMVSS 1081998—
98V009000Jan 21, 1998FORD/HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKER1993, 1994—
97V174000Oct 7, 1997FORD/SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES1989, 1990—
97V025000Feb 26, 1997FORD/THROTTLE CONTROL1991–1994—
97V019000Feb 25, 1997FORD/ENGINE COOLING FAN1992, 1993, 1994—

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗

Crash-test stars by model year

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the Lincoln Continental (most-tested body style each year)
Model yearOverallFrontalSideRolloverTested as
2020★★★★★5★5★4★4 dr fwd
2019★★★★★5★5★4★4 dr fwd
2018★★★★★5★5★4★4 dr fwd
2017★★★★★5★5★4★4 dr awd

Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Source: NHTSA NCAP, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy by model year

199318 mpg
199419 mpg
199518 mpg
199618 mpg
199718 mpg
199818 mpg
199918 mpg
200018 mpg
200118 mpg
200218 mpg
201719–21 mpg
201819–21 mpg
201919–21 mpg
202019–21 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

2020 Lincoln Continental report7 complaints · 2 campaigns →2019 Lincoln Continental report32 complaints · 3 campaigns →2018 Lincoln Continental report21 complaints · 2 campaigns →Every Lincoln modelLincoln models →

Lincoln Continental FAQ

How many recalls has the Lincoln Continental had?

NHTSA lists 39 recall campaigns that cover at least one Lincoln Continental model year from 1981 to 2020. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Lincoln Continental year has the most complaints?

Among the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 1994 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (190) and the 2020 the fewest (7). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Lincoln Continental problems?

Across the 1997–2020 model years, owners most often name the electrical system, suspension, unknown or other in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the Lincoln Continental get?

EPA rates the 2020 Lincoln Continental at 19 to 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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