Reliability
Lincoln

Continental (2002)

2002 · Full-Size Sedan · 1 engine
29 NHTSA Complaints
1 Recalls
0 Fire Reports
3 Crash Reports
View all 4 generations of the Lincoln Continental → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

8.7 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar full-size sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 7 powertrain complaints. A typical full-size sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 19.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall7 complaints against about 19 for similar vehicles
8.7
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced
n/aNot enough data
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

Lincoln Continental Unidentified Engine

8 complaints 8.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
4
suspension
2
wheels tires
2
engine
1
cooling
1

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Lincoln Continental, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 5 owner complaints
Suspension: 5 owner complaints

Recalls (1)

16E026000Apr 1, 2016serious
Service Brakes

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.

Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2002-2002 Lincoln Continental complaints?

Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2002 Lincoln Continental. The systems they name most often are the engine, the suspension and the brakes.

Is the 2002-2002 Lincoln Continental a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2002 Lincoln Continental. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002-2002 Lincoln Continental have?

NHTSA has 29 owner complaints on file for the 2002-2002 Lincoln Continental as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2002-2002 Lincoln Continental?

NHTSA lists 1 recall covering some 2002-2002 Lincoln Continental vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Lincoln Continental?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the suspension and the brakes, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Continental have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2002 Lincoln Continental. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 29 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: low. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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