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

Lincoln Continental Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints

What this means

We rank Lincoln Continental model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2020 drew the fewest (7) and the 1991 the most (203).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Complaints filed by model year

3 settled years with the fewest complaints3 settled years with the mostStill collecting reports

Every year compared

Lincoln Continental model years: complaints filed with NHTSA, recall campaigns, most-reported component, crash stars and combined mpg. Select a column heading to sort.
Most-reported component
2020
Among the fewest complaints		 7 2 Back over prevention 5★ 19–21
1987
Among the fewest complaints		 9 1 Electrical system — 19
2018
Among the fewest complaints		 21 2 Latches/locks/linkages 5★ 19–21
2001 32 1 Suspension — 18
2019 32 3 Latches/locks/linkages 5★ 19–21
2002 33 0 Vehicle speed control — 18
1999 42 2 Suspension — 18
1996 48 2 Suspension — 18
2000 63 3 Air bags — 18
1995 70 1 Exterior lighting — 18
1998 72 1 Engine and engine cooling — 18
2017 75 4 Structure 5★ 19–21
1988 84 9 Electrical system — 18
1997 96 1 Visibility — 18
1993 121 4 Engine and engine cooling — 18
1992 126 3 Engine and engine cooling — 18
1989 158 4 Seat belts — 18
1990
Among the most complaints		 158 3 Engine and engine cooling — 19
1994
Among the most complaints		 190 5 Engine and engine cooling — 19
1991
Among the most complaints		 203 3 Engine and engine cooling — 18

Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

What owners reported in the Lincoln Continental years with the most complaints

These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.

1991 Lincoln Continental: 203 complaints

Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 56 (28%); Suspension 44 (22%); Power train 41 (20%).

Reports mention 6 crashes, 19 fires, 8 injuries, 1 death. 3 recall campaigns listed.

1994 Lincoln Continental: 190 complaints

Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 85 (45%); Suspension 29 (15%); Power train 20 (11%).

Reports mention 12 crashes, 2 fires, 9 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 87,456 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.

1990 Lincoln Continental: 158 complaints

Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 40 (25%); Suspension 28 (18%); Seat belts 25 (16%).

Reports mention 5 crashes, 15 fires, 9 injuries, 3 deaths. 3 recall campaigns listed.

The Lincoln Continental years with the fewest complaints

2020 Lincoln Continental: 7 complaints

Most-reported: Back over prevention 2 (29%); Electrical system 1 (14%); Latches/locks/linkages 1 (14%).

Reports mention 1 injury. 2 recall campaigns listed.

1987 Lincoln Continental: 9 complaints

Most-reported: Electrical system 3 (33%); Suspension 3 (33%); Power train 2 (22%).

Reports mention 2 fires. 1 recall campaign listed.

2018 Lincoln Continental: 21 complaints

Most-reported: Latches/locks/linkages 6 (29%); Electrical system 5 (24%); Back over prevention 4 (19%).

Reports mention 1 crash. 2 recall campaigns listed.

Crashes, fires and injuries in Lincoln Continental owner reports

Lincoln Continental owner complaints to NHTSA that report a crash, fire, injury or death, and the typical odometer reading when filed
Model yearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTypical miles at filing
202070010—
201932200027,000
2018211000—
201775101050,000
200233401066,000
200132102075,000
200063637086,500
199942622090,000
1998728240100,000
199796535059,075
1996483012—
19957055130—
19941901229187,456
1993121333075,000
19921263630—
199120361981—
199015851593—
1989158619111—
19888481020—
198790200—

Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Largest Lincoln Continental recalls

  • FUEL:FUEL LINES:METALLIC (1986–1987 model years; 3,600,000 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 1987; 87V139000)
  • FORD/SUBFRAME CORROSION (1988–1994 model years; 2,697,000 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 1998; 98V323000)
  • STRUCTURE:FRAME:MEMBERS AND BODY (1988 model year; 1,610,000 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 1993; 93V106000)
  • FORD/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER (2000–2001 model years; 1,083,000 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2001; 01V258000)
  • FORD/FMVSS 108 (1998 model year; 571,800 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 1998; 98V028000)

All 39 Lincoln Continental recall campaigns · Lincoln Continental problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist

What the numbers can't tell you

  • Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
  • Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
  • The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.

Lincoln Continental years FAQ

Which Lincoln Continental year has the fewest complaints?

Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2020 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (7). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.

Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?

Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.

Are there Lincoln Continental years to avoid?

No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 1991, 1994 and 1990 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine and engine cooling. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.

What is the most common Lincoln Continental problem?

Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine and engine cooling (388 of 1,640 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.

How many recalls does the Lincoln Continental have?

NHTSA lists 39 recall campaigns covering the Lincoln Continental. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Lincoln Continental recall page.

Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?

Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.

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

Data sources

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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