Lincoln Continental Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Lincoln Continental model year (2017–2020) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Lincoln Continental Years to Avoid
3 recalls · 50 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 61
2 recalls · 27 complaints
Top issue: BACK OVER PREVENTION
Problem score: 33
2 recalls · 10 complaints
Top issue: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 16
Best Lincoln Continental Years to Buy
1 recall · 3 complaints
Main area: BACK OVER PREVENTION
Problem score: 8
Found the right year? Verify that specific Continental with a free VIN report.
Lincoln Continental — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | 8 | Good |
| 2019 | 2 | 27 | — | — | 33 | Caution |
| 2018 | 2 | 10 | — | — | 16 | Good |
| 2017 | 3 | 50 | 1 | — | 61 | Avoid |
All 4 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Lincoln Continental Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2020Recent Continental models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2020 stands out with just 8 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 2017 Lincoln Continental if possible. It has 3 recalls, 50 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 61 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Continental to buy?+
The 2020 Lincoln Continental is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 8. It has only 1 recall and 3 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Continental has the fewest problems?+
The 2020 model years have the fewest documented problems. 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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