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Lincoln ContinentalYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 1,679 NHTSA owner complaints across 32 model years, the Lincoln Continental years to avoid are 1991, and the strongest years are 1996, 2001, 2002 and 2019. The Continental has 46 safety recalls on record.

Lincoln Continental
Years to avoid'91Use caution: 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994Best years'96 '01 '02 '19Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints1,679Top: Engine and engine coolingSafety recalls461969–2020 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Best & worst years

Lincoln Continental years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Continental median. Tap a year for its full report.

'69'74'75'77'78'79'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'17'18'19'20
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2020Not rated–/1007 complaints · 2 recalls2019Best68/10033 complaints · 3 recalls2018Not rated–/10021 complaints · 2 recalls2017Solid56/10075 complaints · 4 recalls2002Best70/10033 complaints · 0 recalls2001Best72/10032 complaints · 1 recall2000Solid51/10063 complaints · 3 recalls1999Solid62/10042 complaints · 2 recalls1998Solid50/10072 complaints · 1 recall1997Solid46/10096 complaints · 1 recall1996Solid64/10048 complaints · 2 recalls1995Solid51/10070 complaints · 1 recall1994Caution30/100190 complaints · 5 recalls1993Solid42/100121 complaints · 4 recalls1992Caution40/100126 complaints · 3 recalls1991Avoid27/100203 complaints · 3 recalls1990Caution32/100158 complaints · 3 recalls1989Caution31/100158 complaints · 4 recalls1988Solid45/10084 complaints · 9 recalls1987Not rated–/1009 complaints · 1 recall1986Not rated–/1008 complaints · 5 recalls1985Not rated–/10015 complaints · 2 recalls1984Not rated–/1006 complaints · 2 recalls1983Not rated–/1002 complaints · 2 recalls1982Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1981Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1979Not rated–/1002 complaints · 2 recalls1978Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1977Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1975Not rated–/1001 complaint · 2 recalls1974Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1969Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Lincoln Continental problems

All model years combined: 1,679 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling39341
Suspension2468
Electrical system20044
Service brakes, hydraulic16918
Power train16511
Structure1424
Steering13621
Vehicle speed control10921
Visibility1014
22 other systems54977
46 recalls

Lincoln Continental recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

59%Back over prevention: software25V-442 · 2019–2020 · Jun 27, 2025 · 200,237 vehicles60%Sensing system: camera22V-644 · 2017–2020 · Aug 26, 2022 · 277,040 vehicles87%Doors: latch19V-077 · 2017–2019 · Feb 11, 2019 · 27,609 vehicles86%Driver side: inflator module17V-123 · 2017 · Feb 27, 2017 · 27,531 vehicles80%Exterior lighting: headlights16V-731 · 2017 · Oct 12, 2016 · 1,827 vehicles–Air bags: frontal03V-144 · 1999–2000 · Apr 9, 2003 · 43,459 vehicles–Windshield wiper/washer: motor01V-258 · 2000–2001 · Aug 8, 2001 · 1,083,000 vehicles–Front: anchorage99V-250 · 2000 · Sep 20, 1999 · 25,306 vehicles–Structure: frame and members98V-323 · 1988–1994 · Dec 16, 1998 · 2,697,000 vehicles–Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings98V-269 · 1999 · Oct 27, 1998 · 2,500 vehicles–Exterior lighting: headlights98V-028 · 1998 · Feb 10, 1998 · 571,800 vehicles–Headlights: switch98V-009 · 1993–1994 · Jan 21, 1998 · 506,000 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 46 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

24 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Continental

  1. INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTEA01012 · 1999–2000 · closed Apr 15, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-144
  2. INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTPE00042 · 1999–2000 · closed Apr 27, 2001
    No recall
  3. REAR LOWER SUBFRAME ASSEMBLYRQ97009 · 1988 · closed Feb 16, 1999
    Led to recall 93V-106
  4. ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRESEA96024 · 1991–1995 · closed Apr 15, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-019
  5. ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRESPE96033 · 1991–1995 · closed Sep 30, 1996
    Led to recall 97V-019
  6. FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLESEA95033 · 1989–1990 · closed Oct 22, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-174
  7. ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODSDP95004 · 1987–1993 · closed Aug 30, 1995
    No recall
  8. POWER STEERING FLUID FIRESDP94006 · null · closed Jan 26, 1995
    No recall
  9. BROKEN TIE RODSEA94008 · 1987–1993 · closed Feb 27, 1995
    No recall
  10. IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALFEA93022 · 1992 · closed Aug 31, 1994
    No recall