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Research · Large Cars

2020 Lincoln ContinentalRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints for the 2020 Lincoln Continental. Most complaints involve back over prevention (2) and latches/locks/linkages (1). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jun 2025
Owner complaints
7
Top: back over prevention
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

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

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

7 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2020 – Jul 2025
  1. Back over prevention2
  2. Latches/locks/linkages1
  3. Service brakes1
  4. Electrical system1
  5. Other / unknown2

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
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Back over prevention

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Continental. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V644000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2023Back over preventionODI 11530586

Latches/locks/linkages

1 report
“The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front driver’s side door would not open from the inside. In addition, the rear passenger’s side door would not open from the outside. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2024Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11580745

Service brakes

1 report
“ON MY 2020 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL THE BRAKE PEDAL IS ABOUT ONE INCH HIGHER THEN THE GAS PEDAL. ON MOST CARS THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS ARE EVEN IN HEIGHT. ON THIS CAR WHEN I MOVE MY FOOT TO STOP THE CAR I MUST LIFT MY FOOT. A FEW TIMES THE SIDE OF MY FOOT HAS HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSING A MOMENTARY DELAY IN STOPPING.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2020Service brakesODI 11365371
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
2.7L 6-cyl turbo · 3.7L 6-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular 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 Oct 28, 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 FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$3,050424
Continental AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172520$3,200452
Continental FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172620$3,200440
Continental AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
162419$3,400466
Continental AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
162419$3,400462
Continental Coach
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
162419$3,400478
  • Continental FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Continental AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Continental FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Continental AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Continental AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Continental Coach
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Lincoln Continental 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.6%
Overall
5 / 5
Lincoln Continental 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.6%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 14925Vehicle 14887
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

2020 Continental questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Lincoln Continental have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 2020 Lincoln Continental problems?

Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are back over prevention (2), latches/locks/linkages (1), service brakes (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Lincoln Continental get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Lincoln Continental at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Lincoln Continental?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Lincoln Continental 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026