The Lincoln Continental has 43 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1982–2020. On average a defect was admitted 4.83 years after the car was built, the slowest took 25 years. The most recalled system is Seat Belts (6 campaigns). Owners also filed 1,339 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Lincoln Continental
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Seat Belts 6 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The seat belt retractor may have a pin shaft in the switchable elr/alr mechanism that is incorrectly formed. In some circumstances, the switching mechanism could become nonfunctional, preventing the seat belt webbing from being extracted from the retractor. It is also possible that malfunction of the mechanism could prevent the belt from being switched into the alr mode. The elr mechanism is not affected by this condition
Risk. If the mechanism malfunctions and does not allow the webbing to be extracted, the lap and shoulder belt could not be worn by a vehicle occupant. In the event that the mechanism does not allow the alr mode to be engaged, the operator may be unable to properly install a child seat in that seating position
Fix. Dealers will inspect the lap and shoulder belt assemblies. Assemblies with julian date codes of 200 through 223 are suspect and will be replaced
What's wrong. This is not a safety recall in accordance with federal regulation 573. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Ford is initiating an owner notification program that will provide an extended warranty, 12 years and unlimited mileage, for all seat belt buckles with functional concerns
Risk. In the event of a collision, the occupant of the seat may not be properly restrained and personal injury could occur
Fix. Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle assembly, for 12 years and unlimited mileage
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front outboard seating position seat belt buckles may not latch or unlatch
Risk. These conditions could reduce seat belt usage increasing the risk of personal injury in the event of a vehicle crash
Fix. Dealers will replace the front outboard seat belt buckle assemblies
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 5 Read
What's wrong. Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the…
Risk. A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash
Fix. Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616
What's wrong. Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the…
Risk. A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash
Fix. Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616
What's wrong. Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the…
Risk. A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash
Fix. Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616
Fuel System, Gasoline 5 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The fuel rail crossover hose was damaged during fuel rail assembly allowing fuel leakage
Risk. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in fire
Fix. Dealers will replace the fuel rail with a revised fuel rail assembly
What's wrong. Process used for connecting the gas lines was substandard
Risk. A gas leak could develop creating a fire potential
Fix. Install standard gas line compression fittings
What's wrong. Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged
Risk. Coupling could disengage due to fuel pressure,vibration, and engine movements; this would cause loss of fuel which, inpresence of an ignition source, creates a fire risk
Fix. Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage
Power Train 5 Read
What's wrong. The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge which can cause the parking pawl to hang up and not engage the park gear. This would allow the vehicle to move even though the gear shift indicator shows that the vehicle is in park
Risk. Unintended and unexpected vehicle movement can result in personal injury and property damage
Fix. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket
What's wrong. The automatic transmission park pawl shaft may not be free to rotate as intended. If the park pawl shaft does not rotate, it would prevent the park pawl from engaging the park gear when the shift lever is in the park position
Risk. This condition could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral with the shift lever in the park position
Fix. Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft rotation and those shafts with restricted rotation will be replaced with a shorter shaft that will not restrict rotation
What's wrong. Transmission shift cables may not meet fords pull out load specifications for the swivel tube portion of the cable, which could allow the swivel tube to separate from the shift cable assembly
Risk. Operator would not be able to shift from one of thedrive gears into park position
Fix. Replace shift cable
Exterior Lighting 4 Read
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles manufactured June 14, 2016, to September 23, 2016 and equipped with high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. The headlights may have been built with incorrect lenses, adversely affecting the turn signal visibility as well as not being properly marked. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."
Risk. Reduced turn signal visibility to other drivers and pedestrians can increase the risk of a crash
Fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlights, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C15
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The text and/or graphics for the vehicle headlamp aiming instructions provided in the owner guides are not sufficiently clear. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk. If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may be confused by the aiming instructions provided in the owner guides causing the headlamps to be improperly aimed
Fix. Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles
What's wrong. A defective control module in the "autolamp" system can malfunction. If the "autolamp" system is being used to activate the exterior light (including headlamps), the headlamps could shut off without warning. This will not occur if the exterior lighting is turned on manually by the headlight switch
Risk. If the headlamps shut off while the vehicle is driven, driver visibility would be impaired increasing the potential for a vehicle accident
Fix. Dealers will replace the "autolamp" control module. Owners are instructed to use the manual headlamp switch until the control module can be replaced
Air Bags 3 Read
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles and 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles. In the event of a crash, the driver's frontal air bag may not fully inflate or the air bag cushion may detach from the air bag module. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk. During deployment, if the air bag does not fully inflate or the cushion detaches, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash
Fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began June 16, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C02
What's wrong. On certain passenger vehicles, the driver and/or passenger side air bag could deploy as a result of underbody impacts near the sensors, such as those occurring from pieces of gravel or debris thrown from the wheels while the vehicle is being operated at moderate to high speed or being accelerated
Fix. Dealers will recalibrate the air bag sensors. Owner notification began march 31, 2003. Owners may contact lincoln at 1-800-521-4140
What's wrong. On certain passenger vehicles, the driver and/or passenger side air bag could deploy as a result of underbody impacts near the sensors, such as those occurring from pieces of gravel or debris thrown from the wheels while the vehicle is being operated at moderate to high speed or being accelerated
Fix. Dealers will recalibrate the air bag sensors. Owner notification began march 31, 2003. Owners may contact lincoln at 1-800-521-4140
Electrical System 3 Read
What's wrong. Electrical circuit that controls current to brake pump motor relay, heater and air conditioning blower motor, turn signals, and a electronic message center may overheat due to inability of ignition circuit wiring connections to dissipate heat generated by electrical loads
Risk. Brake pump motor will not operate, substantially reducingbraking capability; brake warning light will come on
Fix. Replace ignition switch and modify switch wiring
What's wrong. Nylon shielded wiring harness, located in the engine compartment, is susceptible to heat damage and melting of the nylon material in 100 degree plus weather
Risk. Melted nylon shield could drip onto the exhaust manifoldand result in an underhood fire
Fix. Wrap wiring harness with heat resistant fiberglass tape
What's wrong. The ignition lock cylinder may hang up and not fully return to the "on" position from the "start" position after starting the engine. If this occurs, the engine will remain running, but the battery current to the brake system supply motor will be interrupted. Consequence of defect: with power to most accessories and the brake system supply motor interrupted, the power assist to the front brake will be lost and after about 10 to 15 normal brake stops, loss of rear brake function will result, causing increased stopping distance. However, the instrument brake warning light will illuminate prior to reduced braking capability and if warning is not heeded, an accident may occur
Fix. Replace ignition lock cylinders with revised design cylinders
Back Over Prevention 2 Read
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2020 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental vehicles equipped with the 360-degree camera system. Degradation of the camera's anit-reflective lens coating can lead to a foggy or cloudy rearview camera image
Risk. Lack of a clear rearview camera image can reduce the driver's visibility of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash
Fix. Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S51
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended
Risk. A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash
Fix. Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72
What's wrong. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2020 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental vehicles equipped with the 360-degree camera system. Degradation of the camera's anit-reflective lens coating can lead to a foggy or cloudy rearview camera image
Risk. Lack of a clear rearview camera image can reduce the driver's visibility of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash
Fix. Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S51
Vehicle Speed Control 2 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: vehicles equipped with 3.8l engines and originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, iowa, idaho, illinois, indiana, kansas, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, north dakota, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. Water can accumulate within the speed control cable conduit. If enough water accumulates, it could freeze within a low area of the cable routing when exposed to a long term cold soak at temperatures at least several degrees below freezing
Risk. Driver control of vehicle speed using the speed control system or the accelerator control system would be diminished increasing the risk of a vehicle crash
Fix. Dealers will add a boot to the speed control cable
What's wrong. Vehicle description: vehicles equipped with 3.8l engines and originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, iowa, idaho, illinois, indiana, kansas, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, north dakota, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. Water can accumulate within the speed control cable conduit. If enough water accumulates, it could freeze within a low area of the cable routing when exposed to a long term cold soak at temperatures at least several degrees below freezing
Risk. Driver control of vehicle speed using the speed control system or the accelerator control system would be diminished increasing the risk of a vehicle crash
Fix. Dealers will add a boot to the speed control cable
What's wrong. Vehicle description: vehicles equipped with 3.8l engines and originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, iowa, idaho, illinois, indiana, kansas, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, north dakota, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. Water can accumulate within the speed control cable conduit. If enough water accumulates, it could freeze within a low area of the cable routing when exposed to a long term cold soak at temperatures at least several degrees below freezing
Risk. Driver control of vehicle speed using the speed control system or the accelerator control system would be diminished increasing the risk of a vehicle crash
Fix. Dealers will add a boot to the speed control cable
Structure 2 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virgnia, and wisconsin. The rear lower subframe mount plate nut can experience stress corrosion cracking if subjected to long term exposure to road salts. This can result in fracture and loss of the structural integrity of the subframe mount attachment. Detachment of the body mounts at the rear corners of the subframe, which supports the engine and…
Risk. If both rear corners drop, steering would become suddenly very difficult, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash
Fix. Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virgnia, and wisconsin. The rear lower subframe mount plate nut can experience stress corrosion cracking if subjected to long term exposure to road salts. This can result in fracture and loss of the structural integrity of the subframe mount attachment. Detachment of the body mounts at the rear corners of the subframe, which supports the engine and…
Risk. If both rear corners drop, steering would become suddenly very difficult, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash
Fix. Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virgnia, and wisconsin. The rear lower subframe mount plate nut can experience stress corrosion cracking if subjected to long term exposure to road salts. This can result in fracture and loss of the structural integrity of the subframe mount attachment. Detachment of the body mounts at the rear corners of the subframe, which supports the engine and…
Risk. If both rear corners drop, steering would become suddenly very difficult, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash
Fix. Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 4.83 years |
| Slowest campaign | 25 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 36.6% |
| Campaigns on record | 43 |
Which Continental years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Back Over Prevention | |
| 2019 | Latches/locks/linkages | |
| 2018 | Latches/locks/linkages | |
| 2017 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 2002 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 2001 | Visibility | |
| 2000 | Visibility | |
| 1999 | Air Bags | |
| 1998 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1997 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1996 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1995 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1994 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1993 | Engine And Engine Cooling | |
| 1992 | Engine And Engine Cooling | |
| 1991 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1990 | Air Bags | |
| 1989 | Seat Belts | |
| 1988 | Seat Belts | |
| 1987 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1986 | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 1985 | Suspension | |
| 1984 | Seat Belts | |
| 1983 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1982 | Fuel System, Gasoline |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Lincoln Continental have?
43 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1982–2020. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my Continental still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 4.83 years, and the slowest campaign came 25 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.