Lincoln Continental Recalls

The Lincoln Continental has 36 recalls spanning 1981 through 2020, with the most serious recent issue affecting 2017–2019 models where door latch pawl motors can fail to fully engage, allowing a door to open while the vehicle is moving.

The 2017–2020 models with the 360-degree camera system can develop a foggy rearview image as the lens coating degrades, and 2019–2020 models have a separate software fault where the camera displays a blank image entirely. The 2017 model also has a driver's frontal airbag that can fail to fully inflate or detach from its module in a crash, and certain 2017 high-intensity discharge headlights have incorrect lenses that reduce turn signal visibility to other drivers.

The 1999 model has a fuel rail crossover hose that can leak and start a fire near an ignition source. The 2000 model has airbags that can deploy unexpectedly from road debris impacts at moderate to high speeds. The 1997 model has a parking pawl that can hang up and leave the vehicle free to roll with the selector showing Park, and the 1996 model has a similar park pawl shaft issue along with an autolamp module that can shut the headlights off without warning. A comparable autolamp shutoff affects 1995 models, and the 1993 model has a circuit breaker that causes headlights to flash off intermittently while driving.

The 1992 model, on vehicles in certain northern states, has cooling fan wiring that can overheat and catch fire, plus a throttle cable that can freeze on 3.8L-equipped vehicles and prevent the throttle from closing. The 1991 model has the same throttle freeze risk.

The 1990 model has front brake rotors that can corrode and fracture in salt-belt regions, a subframe corrosion issue where rear corners can drop and make steering suddenly very difficult, and front seat belt buckles that can fail to latch or unlatch. The 1989 model has rear seat belt retractor and front buckle issues that can leave occupants inadequately restrained in a crash. The 1988 model carries the most recalls of any single year: rear torsion springs can fracture and puncture a tire, the transmission shift cable can separate and prevent shifting into Park, front brake rotors in certain Canadian provinces can corrode and fracture, engine compartment wiring shielding can melt onto the exhaust manifold and ignite, and front inboard seat belt anchors may not hold under crash loads. The 1986 model has a brake fluid level sensor wired in reverse so the warning light never activates when fluid runs low. The 1985 model has an air suspension module that can malfunction and cause an engine compartment fire. Earlier production includes a 1984 parking pawl engagement fault, a 1983 gear selector that can show the wrong gear position, a 1982 fuel filler seal that can allow fuel to leak into the rear fender well during refueling, and a 1981 neutral start switch that can allow the starter to engage while the transmission is in reverse.