Lincoln Continental Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Lincoln Continental model year (2017–2020) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, injuries, and deaths. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Lincoln Continental Years to Avoid
0 recalls · 27 complaints
Top issue: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Problem score: 27
0 recalls · 7 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 9
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Top issue: No complaints on record
Problem score: 0
Best Lincoln Continental Years to Buy
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 0
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 0
0 recalls · 7 complaints
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 9
Found the right year? Verify that specific Continental with a free VIN report.
Lincoln Continental — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 7 | 9 | Good |
| 2019 | 0 | 27 | 27 | Avoid |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Excellent |
Higher scores indicate more reported safety issues across recalls, complaints, and injury data.
Lincoln Continental Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2018Recent Continental models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. Lower problem scores typically appear in this era. The 2018 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade Continental units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Continental should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2019 Lincoln Continental if possible. It has 0 recalls, 27 owner complaints, and the most common complaint category is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES. The overall problem score is 27 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Continental to buy?+
The 2017 Lincoln Continental is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 0. It has only 0 recalls and 0 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Continental has the fewest problems?+
The 2017, 2018, 2020 model years have the fewest documented problems across recall and complaint databases. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Lincoln Continental Research
Check a Specific Lincoln Continental VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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