Research · 11 model years

Lincoln ContinentalEvery model year, 1996–2020

Across the 11 model years we’ve synced, NHTSA lists 28 recall campaigns and 521 owner complaints for the Lincoln Continental. The 1997 model year has the most complaints (96).

01 —Model years

Lincoln Continental years compared

Recalls, complaints, NCAP overall and EPA combined MPG per year

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	NCAP overall	MPG comb.
2020	2	7	0	5 of 5	20
2019	3	32	1	5 of 5	20
2018	2	21	1	5 of 5	20
2017	4	75	1	5 of 5	20
2002	1	33	4	Not rated	18
2001	2	32	1	Not rated	18
2000	4	63	6	Not rated	18
1999	3	42	6	Not rated	18
1998	2	72	8	Not rated	18
1997	2	96	5	Not rated	18
1996	3	48	3	Not rated	18

Data from NHTSA recalls, complaints & NCAP; EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026

02 —Complaints by year

NHTSA complaints per model year

Newer years have had less time on the road

View as table

Model year	NHTSA complaints
1996	48
1997	96
1998	72
1999	42
2000	63
2001	32
2002	33
2017	75
2018	21
2019	32
2020	7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Continental years with the most complaints

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026

03 —Recent recalls

Latest recalls for the 2020 Continental

2 campaigns

25V-442

Back over prevention: software

Free remedy

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.

Back over preventionReported Jun 27, 2025NHTSA 25V442000

22V-644

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

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.

Back over preventionReported Aug 26, 2022NHTSA 22V644000

All 2020 recalls

Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026

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