Lincoln Continental recall history and complaint patterns
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Lincoln Continental, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)
At a Glance
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Lincoln Continental, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
- Coverage spans model years 1969–2020 with 73 recall campaigns and 2536 complaints in NHTSA data.
- Years with the most recall activity: 1988 (9), 1994 (5), and 1986 (5).
- Years with the most complaint volume: 1991 (399), 1994 (303), and 1989 (255).
- Top recall themes: Powertrain, Seats and restraints, and Brakes.
- Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Engine and engine cooling:engine, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Power train:automatic transmission.
- Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
- Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Powertrain
7 campaigns · Years: 1977, 1979, 1983, 1988, 1996–1997These campaigns relate to drivetrain or transmission components that can affect shifting, power delivery, or control.
Seats and restraints
6 campaigns · Years: 1984, 1988–1990, 2000, 2017–2019These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.
Brakes
5 campaigns · Years: 1979, 1985–1986, 1988–1991, 1994These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.
Fuel and emissions
5 campaigns · Years: 1975, 1982, 1986–1988, 1999These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
Other
5 campaigns · Years: 1974, 1986, 1991–1994, 2017–2020These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.
Steering and suspension
5 campaigns · Years: 1969, 1975, 1984–1985, 1988These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.
Visibility and lighting
5 campaigns · Years: 1993–1996, 1998, 2000–2001, 2017These campaigns relate to lighting, glass, or visibility components (lamps, wipers, and related systems).
Electrical
3 campaigns · Years: 1986, 1988These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.
Most Reported Issues
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Lincoln Continental in NHTSA complaint data are Engine and engine cooling:engine, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Power train:automatic transmission.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 7 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Back over prevention, Electrical system:wiring: rear compartment/trunk, Service brakes. |
| 2019 | 3 | 30 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Latches/locks/linkages, Back over prevention, Electrical system. |
| 2018 | 2 | 17 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Back over prevention, Latches/locks/linkages, Electrical system. |
| 2017 | 4 | 82 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Structure:body, Latches/locks/linkages. |
| 2002 | 0 | 43 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Equipment:appliance:air conditioner, Suspension. |
| 2001 | 1 | 38 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Suspension, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Vehicle speed control. |
| 2000 | 3 | 108 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Electrical system, Power train:automatic transmission. |
| 1999 | 2 | 46 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Suspension:front:springs:coil springs, Air bags:frontal, Air bags:side/window. |
| 1998 | 1 | 88 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Power train:automatic transmission, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system. |
| 1997 | 1 | 109 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:interior, Tires, Vehicle speed control. |
| 1996 | 2 | 69 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Suspension:front, Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices, Power train:automatic transmission. |
| 1995 | 1 | 94 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting:headlights, Power train:automatic transmission, Suspension:front. |
| 1994 | 5 | 303 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Power train:automatic transmission. |
| 1993 | 4 | 200 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Exterior lighting:headlights. |
| 1992 | 3 | 199 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Structure:frame and members. |
| 1991 | 3 | 399 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Power train:automatic transmission, Structure:frame and members. |
| 1990 | 3 | 244 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline. |
| 1989 | 4 | 255 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. |
| 1988 | 9 | 147 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Structure:frame and members, Electrical system:ignition. |
| 1987 | 1 | 14 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition, Electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash, Power train:automatic transmission. |
| 1986 | 5 | 8 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seats:front assembly:recliner, Fuel system, gasoline:delivery, Seat belts:front:buckle assembly. |
| 1985 | 2 | 18 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. |
| 1984 | 2 | 9 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator, Electrical system:ignition:switch, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system. |
| 1983 | 2 | 2 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift. |
| 1982 | 1 | 1 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Suspension:front:control arm. |
| 1981 | 0 | 1 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system. |
| 1979 | 2 | 2 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift, Power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch. |
| 1978 | 0 | 1 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Tires. |
| 1977 | 1 | 1 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires:tread/belt. |
| 1975 | 2 | 1 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:wiring:front underhood. |
| 1974 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1969 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
What to Do Next
- Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
- If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
- If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
Recall Evidence by Year
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved: Service brakes , Structure and Power train
Other Lincoln Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Lincoln models.
⚠️ Important Safety Information
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.