Continental (10th)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
2.7L GTDI
2.7L 6-cyl Turbo / 335 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.7L TiVCT
3.7L 6-cyl / 305 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.0L GTDI
3.0L 6-cyl Turbo / 400 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
Lincoln Continental Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
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.
What to check on a used 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental
On a used 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the body and structure (57), the airbags and driver-assist systems (26) and the electrical system (26). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 57 owner complaints on the 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental about the body and structure.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on the 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on the 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental about the electrical system.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 6 owner complaints on the 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental about the steering.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 5 owner complaints on the 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental about the engine, all engines combined.
Recalls (5)
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.
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Lincoln Continental vehicles. The door latch pawl motors may not function properly, possibly resulting in a door latch not fully engaging.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles and 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles. In the event of a crash, the driver's frontal air bag may not fully inflate or the air bag cushion may detach from the air bag module. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles manufactured June 14, 2016, to September 23, 2016 and equipped with high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. The headlights may have been built with incorrect lenses, adversely affecting the turn signal visibility as well as not being properly marked. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
All Generations
Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental complaints?
Owners have filed 134 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental. The systems they name most often are the body and trim, the safety systems and the electrical system.
Is the 2017-2020 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 134 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017-2020 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 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental have?
NHTSA has 134 owner complaints on file for the 2017-2020 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 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2017-2020 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 body and trim, the safety systems and the electrical system, 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.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Continental?
The 2020 Lincoln Continental received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (10.6% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 134 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.