Continental (10th)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Engine Reliability Ratings
3.0L GTDI
3.0L 6-cyl Turbo / 400 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
3.7L TiVCT
3.7L 6-cyl / 305 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
2.7L GTDI
2.7L 6-cyl Turbo / 335 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
1 additional engine variant with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Lincoln Continental regardless of engine variant.
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."
Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental problems?
The 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental has accumulated 122 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Body/Trim, Safety Systems, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Lincoln Continental engine is most reliable?
The 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental was offered with 4 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the ?L ?-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental a good used car?
The 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 122 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental have?
The 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental has 122 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental?
There are 5 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Lincoln Continental?
Before buying a used Lincoln Continental, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Body/Trim, Safety Systems, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or 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. 122 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-19.