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Lincoln Continental — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Lincoln Continental model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
34
Years to Avoid
2017, 1994, 1991
Best Years
1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1969
2020
7 complaints2 recalls68 TSBs
2019
39 complaints3 recalls122 TSBs
2018
26 complaints2 recalls135 TSBs
2017Avoid
100 complaints4 recalls195 TSBs
2002
43 complaints1 recalls38 TSBs
2001
38 complaints2 recalls50 TSBs
2000
108 complaints4 recalls2 invest.74 TSBs
1999
46 complaints3 recalls2 invest.105 TSBs
1998
88 complaints2 recalls140 TSBs
1997
109 complaints2 recalls157 TSBs
1996
69 complaints3 recalls155 TSBs
1995
94 complaints2 recalls2 invest.151 TSBs
1994Avoid
303 complaints5 recalls2 invest.90 TSBs
1993
200 complaints4 recalls5 invest.79 TSBs
1992
199 complaints3 recalls8 invest.66 TSBs
1991Avoid
399 complaints3 recalls7 invest.56 TSBs
1990
244 complaints5 recalls6 invest.48 TSBs
1989
255 complaints5 recalls8 invest.46 TSBs
1988
147 complaints9 recalls11 invest.47 TSBs
1987
14 complaints1 recalls6 invest.22 TSBs
1986
8 complaints5 recalls4 invest.23 TSBs
1985
18 complaints2 recalls3 invest.20 TSBs
1984
9 complaints2 recalls2 invest.12 TSBs
1983
2 complaints3 recalls1 invest.8 TSBs
1982
1 complaints2 recalls1 invest.7 TSBs
1981Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls3 TSBs
1980Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls8 TSBs
1979Best Year
2 complaints2 recalls1 TSBs
1978Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls
1977Best Year
1 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1976Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1975Best Year
1 complaints3 recalls
1974Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1969Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Lincoln Continental Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2017, 1994, 1991 Lincoln Continental are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Lincoln Continental, consider the 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1969 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

34 model years analyzed