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Research · Large Cars

2002 Lincoln ContinentalRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 33 owner complaints for the 2002 Lincoln Continental. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (6) and suspension (5). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Apr 2016
Owner complaints
33
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$4,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Apr 1, 2016NHTSA 16E026000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

33 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2002 – Mar 2017
  1. Vehicle speed control6
  2. Suspension5
  3. Equipment5
  4. Engine and engine cooling4
  5. Seat belts3
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic3
  7. Power train2
  8. Wheels2
  9. Air bags2

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

By model year

Complaints for each Continental model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199648
199796
199872
199942
200063
200132
200233
201775
201821
201932
20207
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

6 reports1 crash
“THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, WAS BEING ACCELERATED TO ENTER A HIGHWAY. DUE TO TRAFFIC, THERE WAS A LET OFF ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO ALLOW ANOTHER DRIVER TO MERGE, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND, INSTEAD IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT HAVING ANY DRIVER INPUT. BRAKES WERE APPLIED, AND THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT NEAR FULL POWER, AND THE DRIVER HAD TO APPLY BREAKS HARD TO SLOW, AND PULL OFF HIGHWAY. ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL RESULTED IN THE TRANSMISSION WANTING TO GO INTO REVERSE INSTEAD OF NEUTRAL. ONCE OFF THE ROAD, THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN. WHEN RESTARTED, IT WAS STILL STUCK AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO UNSTICK FAILED. AFTER IT REMAINED OFF A SHORT TIME, AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL OPERATED, IT RETURNED TO NORMAL. A SHORT TIME LATER WHILE TESTING IN THE PARKING LOT, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT MAY BE RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL, AS THE ISSUE APPEARED TO BE ELECTRONIC IN NATURE, AS THE OPERATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE WITH THE VEHICLE OFF SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY SORT OF STICKINESS OR UNUSUAL RESISTANCE. CRUISE CONTROL UNIT WAS UNPLUGGED, AND THE VEHICLE TESTED.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 15, 2016Vehicle speed controlODI 10826140

Suspension

5 reports
“AFTER TURNING ON THE IGNITION AND PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR, MY 2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MADE AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND AFTER STARTING IT AGAIN EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. AFTER ABOUT A HALF HOUR OF DRIVING, THE CAR BECAME NOISY. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE RIGHT FRONT COIL WAS BROKEN. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE A USED SPRING AND HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW COIL FOR $530.45 WHICH SEEMS EXCESSIVE. THIS ENDED UP BEING A $733.00 REPAIR. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 28, 2014Suspension, Service brakesODI 10668546

Equipment

5 reports
“PIECES OF VEHICLE'S ROTORS WERE FOUND ON THE GARAGE FLOOR.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHILE BRAKING. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. WHEN THE CONSUMER BACKED OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY HE NOTICED CARBON LIKE PIECES ON THE GARAGE FLOOR THAT APPARENTLY CAME OFF THE ROTORS OR PADS. WHILE ON VACATION THE A/C FAILED. *NM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2004Service brakes, hydraulic, EquipmentODI 10079811
All 2002 Continental problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Continental
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
152318$4,200494
  • Continental
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    15 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Lincoln Continental as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 4425
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Continental questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Lincoln Continental have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 12, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 Lincoln Continental problems?

Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (6), suspension (5), equipment (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Lincoln Continental get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Lincoln Continental at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026