Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Lincoln Continental, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
1985
1990
1995
2000
2020
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 1994 Lincoln Continental - 168 complaints in its first 8 years (190 to date)
- 1991 Lincoln Continental - 152 complaints in its first 8 years (203 to date)
- 1993 Lincoln Continental - 106 complaints in its first 8 years (121 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 2001 Lincoln Continental - 26 complaints in its first 8 years (32 to date)
- 1999 Lincoln Continental - 33 complaints in its first 8 years (42 to date)
- 1996 Lincoln Continental - 44 complaints in its first 8 years (48 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Lincoln Continental | 7 | 7 | 2 |
| 2019 Lincoln Continental | 32 | 32 | 3 |
| 2018 Lincoln Continental | 21 | 21 | 2 |
| 2017 Lincoln Continental | 75 | 62 | 4 |
| 2002 Lincoln Continental | 33 | 24 | 0 |
| 2001 Lincoln Continental | 32 | 26 | 1 |
| 2000 Lincoln Continental | 63 | 50 | 3 |
| 1999 Lincoln Continental | 42 | 33 | 2 |
| 1998 Lincoln Continental | 72 | 60 | 1 |
| 1997 Lincoln Continental | 96 | 86 | 1 |
| 1996 Lincoln Continental | 48 | 44 | 2 |
| 1995 Lincoln Continental | 70 | 60 | 1 |
| 1994 Lincoln Continental | 190 | 168 | 5 |
| 1993 Lincoln Continental | 121 | 106 | 4 |
| 1992 Lincoln Continental | 126 | 95 | 3 |
| 1991 Lincoln Continental | 203 | 152 | 3 |
| 1990 Lincoln Continental | 158 | 84 | 3 |
| 1989 Lincoln Continental | 158 | 75 | 4 |
| 1988 Lincoln Continental | 84 | 44 | 9 |
| 1987 Lincoln Continental | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| 1986 Lincoln Continental | 8 | 0 | 5 |
| 1985 Lincoln Continental | 15 | 0 | 2 |
| 1984 Lincoln Continental | 6 | 0 | 2 |
| 1983 Lincoln Continental | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 1982 Lincoln Continental | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1981 Lincoln Continental | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25V442000 | 2019-2020 | Back Over Prevention | 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... |
| 22V644000 | 2017-2020 | Back Over Prevention | 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. |
| 19V077000 | 2017-2019 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Lincoln Continental vehicles. |
| 17V123000 | 2017 | Air Bags | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles and 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles. |
| 16V731000 | 2017 | Exterior Lighting | 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... |
| 03V144000 | 1999-2000 | Air Bags | 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... |
| 01V258000 | 2000-2001 | Visibility | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. |
| 99V250000 | 2000 | Seat Belts | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE A PIN SHAFT IN THE SWITCHABLE ELR/ALR MECHANISM THAT IS INCORRECTLY FORMED. |
| 98V323000 | 1988-1994 | Structure | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE,... |
| 98V269000 | 1999 | Fuel System, Gasoline | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER HOSE WAS DAMAGED DURING FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY ALLOWING FUEL LEAKAGE. |
| 98V028000 | 1998 | Exterior Lighting | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. |
| 98V009000 | 1993-1994 | Exterior Lighting | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. |
| 97V174000 | 1989-1990 | Seat Belts | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEATING POSITION SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH. |
| 97V025000 | 1991-1994 | Vehicle Speed Control | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA,... |
| 97V019000 | 1992-1994 | Engine And Engine Cooling | THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. |
| 96V176000 | 1996 | Power Train | THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL SHAFT MAY NOT BE FREE TO ROTATE AS INTENDED. IF THE PARK PAWL SHAFT DOES NOT ROTATE, IT WOULD PREVENT THE PARK PAWL FROM ENGAGING THE PARK... |
| 96V166000 | 1997 | Power Train | THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. |
| 96V009000 | 1995-1996 | Exterior Lighting | A DEFECTIVE CONTROL MODULE IN THE "AUTOLAMP" SYSTEM CAN MALFUNCTION. IF THE "AUTOLAMP" SYSTEM IS BEING USED TO ACTIVATE THE EXTERIOR LIGHT (INCLUDING HEADLAMPS), THE HEADLAMPS... |
| 94V129000 | 1994 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD RETAINER (HAIRPIN CLIP) MAY BE MISSING OR NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED ON THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL. |
| 93V106000 | 1988 | Structure | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS AND SABLES BUILT FROM 10-14-85 THROUGH 8-19-88, AND LINCOLN CONTINENTALS BUILT FROM 11-4-87 THROUGH 9-30-88 (EXCEPT 1989 - 1991 2.5L TAURUS AND 1989 -... |
| 91V134000 | 1988-1991 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY. |
| 89V057000 | 1988 | Fuel System, Gasoline | PROCESS USED FOR CONNECTING THE GAS LINES WAS SUBSTANDARD. |
| 89V048000 | 1989 | Seat Belts | THE LEFT SIDE, REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY BE IMPROPERLY SECURED AND COULD PULL FREE OF ITS MOUNTING LOCATION. |
| 88V118000 | 1988 | Electrical System | ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT CONTROLS CURRENT TO BRAKE PUMP MOTOR RELAY, HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER MOTOR, TURN SIGNALS, AND A ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER MAY OVERHEAT DUE TO... |
| 88V114000 | 1988 | Electrical System | NYLON SHIELDED WIRING HARNESS, LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO HEAT DAMAGE AND MELTING OF THE NYLON MATERIAL IN 100 DEGREE PLUS WEATHER. |
| 88V101000 | 1988 | Power Train | TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLES MAY NOT MEET FORDS PULL OUT LOAD SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE SWIVEL TUBE PORTION OF THE CABLE, WHICH COULD ALLOW THE SWIVEL TUBE TO SEPARATE FROM THE SHIFT... |
| 88V030000 | 1988 | Suspension | TWO TORSION SPRINGS ATTACHED TO REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS MAY FRACTURE AND RUB AGAINST A REAR TIRE. |
| 88V027000 | 1988 | Seat Belts | DRIVER AND RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER INBOARD SEAT BELTS MAY BE IMPROPERLY ANCHORED DUE TO LOOSE NUTS THAT COULD BACK OFF. |
| 87V139000 | 1986-1987 | Fuel System, Gasoline | SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED. |
| 86V109000 | 1985-1986 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, CONTACTS IN BRAKE SYSTEM RELAY COULD REMAIN CLOSED, CAUSING THE BRAKE PUMP MOTOR TO RUN CONTINUOUSLY, CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT AND EVENTUALLY FAIL. |