MYRModel Year Report

Lincoln Continental — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

4 model years to avoid, 3 to watch and 5 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid4 years

Caution3 years

Best bets5 years

Complaint history

1980: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1980 1981: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1982: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1983: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1984: 6 complaints, Not enough data 1985: 15 complaints, Not enough data 1986: 8 complaints, Not enough data 1987: 9 complaints, Not enough data 1988: 89 complaints, Recommended 1989: 161 complaints, Avoid 1990: 160 complaints, Avoid 1991: 206 complaints, Avoid 1991 1992: 126 complaints, Caution 1993: 122 complaints, Caution 1994: 191 complaints, Avoid 1995: 70 complaints, Recommended 1996: 48 complaints, Recommended 1997: 96 complaints, Caution 1998: 72 complaints, Recommended 1998 1999: 42 complaints, Recommended 2000: 63 complaints, Recommended 2001: 32 complaints, Recommended 2002: 33 complaints, Recommended 2004 2010 2016 2017: 75 complaints, Recommended 2018: 20 complaints, Not enough data 2019: 32 complaints, Recommended 2020: 7 complaints, Not enough data 1991 · 206
1980: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1980 1981: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1982: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1983: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1983 1984: 6 complaints, Not enough data 1985: 15 complaints, Not enough data 1986: 8 complaints, Not enough data 1986 1987: 9 complaints, Not enough data 1988: 89 complaints, Recommended 1989: 161 complaints, Avoid 1990: 160 complaints, Avoid 1991: 206 complaints, Avoid 1991 1992: 126 complaints, Caution 1993: 122 complaints, Caution 1994: 191 complaints, Avoid 1995: 70 complaints, Recommended 1995 1996: 48 complaints, Recommended 1997: 96 complaints, Caution 1998: 72 complaints, Recommended 1998 1999: 42 complaints, Recommended 2000: 63 complaints, Recommended 2001: 32 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 33 complaints, Recommended 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016 2017: 75 complaints, Recommended 2018: 20 complaints, Not enough data 2019: 32 complaints, Recommended 2019 2020: 7 complaints, Not enough data 1991 · 206
1980: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1980 1981: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1982: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1982 1983: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1984: 6 complaints, Not enough data 1984 1985: 15 complaints, Not enough data 1986: 8 complaints, Not enough data 1986 1987: 9 complaints, Not enough data 1988: 89 complaints, Recommended 1988 1989: 161 complaints, Avoid 1990: 160 complaints, Avoid 1991: 206 complaints, Avoid 1991 1992: 126 complaints, Caution 1993: 122 complaints, Caution 1994: 191 complaints, Avoid 1994 1995: 70 complaints, Recommended 1996: 48 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 96 complaints, Caution 1998: 72 complaints, Recommended 1998 1999: 42 complaints, Recommended 2000: 63 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 32 complaints, Recommended 2002: 33 complaints, Recommended 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2017: 75 complaints, Recommended 2018: 20 complaints, Not enough data 2018 2019: 32 complaints, Recommended 2020: 7 complaints, Not enough data 2020 1991 · 206
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2020 ○ Not enough data 7 Only 7 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2019 ▲ Recommended 32 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2018 ○ Not enough data 20 Only 20 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2017 ● Recommended 75 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2003–2016 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
2002 ▲ Recommended 33 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2001 ▲ Recommended 32 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2000 ● Recommended 63 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1999 ▲ Recommended 42 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1998 ● Recommended 72 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1997 ◆ Caution 96 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1996 ▲ Recommended 48 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1995 ● Recommended 70 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1994 ■ Avoid 191 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1993 ◆ Caution 122 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1992 ◆ Caution 126 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1991 ■ Avoid 206 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1990 ■ Avoid 160 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1989 ■ Avoid 161 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1988 ● Recommended 89 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1987 ○ Not enough data 9 Only 9 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1986 ○ Not enough data 8 Only 8 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1985 ○ Not enough data 15 Only 15 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1984 ○ Not enough data 6 Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1983 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1982 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1981 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1980 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

43

recalls on file across every Lincoln Continental model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Lincoln models