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.
Best Years to Buy a Lincoln Continental
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Lincoln Continental Years to Avoid
3 recalls · 50 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 recalls · 27 complaints
Top issue: BACK OVER PREVENTION
2 recalls · 10 complaints
Top issue: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | 92 | 87 | 90 | Good |
| 2019 | 2 | 27 | — | — | 63 | 83 | 70 | Caution |
| 2018 | 2 | 10 | — | — | 80 | 77 | 79 | Good |
| 2017 | 3 | 50 | 1 | — | 55 | 70 | 60 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Lincoln Continental Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
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 90).
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 60).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Continental to buy?+
The 2020 Lincoln Continental scores highest on our Buyer Score (90/100) — combining a reliability score of 92/100 with a value score of 87/100. It has 1 recall and 3 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Continental years have the most problems?+
The 2017, 2019, 2018 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2017 Continental leads with 3 recalls and 50 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?+
The most frequently reported Lincoln Continental issues involve: UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
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.