VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Lincoln Continental2017–2020
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Lincoln Continental Years to Avoid
2 recalls · 0 complaints
Top issue: No complaints on record
1 recall · 0 complaints
Top issue: No complaints on record
1 recall · 0 complaints
Top issue: No complaints on record
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 8 past investigations into the Continental became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 11, 2026.
Lincoln Continental — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 81 | 87 | 83 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 76 | 83 | 78 | Caution |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 76 | 77 | 76 | Caution |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 61 | 70 | 64 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Continental compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2020 (Buyer Score 83).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 64).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Continental to buy?+
See the Buyer Score table above for a full ranking of every Continental model year.
Which Continental years have the most problems?+
The 2017, 2018, 2019 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2017 Continental leads with 2 recalls and 0 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Continental problems?+
See the complaint chart on this page for a breakdown by component.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.