Summary
The Lincoln Continental has 34 recalls spanning the 1981–2020 production run, with the most serious recent issue being door latches on 2017–2019 models that may not fully engage, allowing a door to swing open while driving and raising the risk of occupant ejection or injury.
The most recent generation (2017–2020) has several other recalls worth knowing. A 360-degree camera system available on 2017–2020 vehicles can develop a foggy or cloudy image as the lens coating degrades, reducing rearview visibility. The 2017 model year also has a door latch issue where doors may not fully close, separate from the multi-year latch recall, and high-intensity discharge headlamps on early 2017 production built through September 2016 may have incorrect lenses that reduce turn signal visibility to other drivers and pedestrians. A 2017 headlamp lens compliance issue in Canada affects the same population.
Going back to the 1990s, a 1999 fuel rail crossover hose damaged during assembly can leak fuel near ignition sources, creating a fire risk. The 1997 transmission parking pawl can hang on a sharp bracket edge and fail to engage, allowing the vehicle to roll even with the gear selector showing park. On 1996 models, the automatic transmission park pawl shaft can fail to rotate and similarly prevent the park gear from engaging, and the autolamp control module can cut the headlights without warning when that automatic system is in use. The 2000 model year has a sensor placement issue where road debris or gravel striking the underbody at moderate to high speed can trigger unintended airbag deployment.
Through the early 1990s, 1992 models registered in northern states have a cooling fan wiring issue that can cause smoke or fire at the fan assembly, and a separate speed control cable problem on 1991 models can cause the throttle to stick open after freezing in cold weather. The 1993 model year has a circuit breaker that can cause headlights to cut out briefly while driving. On 1990 models, the rear subframe can corrode and drop at both corners, making steering suddenly very heavy, and front brake rotors in salt-belt regions can corrode and fracture, reducing braking effectiveness.
Older production from the mid-to-late 1980s carries a cluster of issues. The 1989 and 1990 model years have front seat belt buckles that may not latch or unlatch, and 1988 models have seat belt anchor nuts that can loosen and let the belt anchor disengage entirely. On 1988 vehicles, a rear suspension torsion spring can fracture and saw into a rear tire, causing sudden blowout, and a transmission shift cable swivel tube can separate, preventing the driver from shifting into park. A wiring harness in the engine compartment on 1988 models can melt its nylon shielding in high heat and drip onto the exhaust manifold, starting an underhood fire, and composite front brake rotors on 1988 vehicles in eastern Canadian provinces can corrode and fracture. The 1985 model year has an air suspension electronic module that can malfunction and cause an engine compartment fire. Earlier still, the 1984 model has a parking pawl that may not engage when shifted to park, and the 1983 model has a gearshift selector tube clip that can loosen and cause the shift indicator to misrepresent the actual gear. The 1982 model has a fuel filler pipe seal that can leak fuel into the right rear f
