Lincoln Continental years to avoid
The Lincoln Continental years to avoid are 1991, 1994, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1992, 1988, 1997, 2000, 2017, 1995, 1998, 1996, 1999, 2002 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1980 is the cleanest year on record.
2,563
Total complaints
50
Recall campaigns
1969–2020
Years covered
15
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Continental years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | High complaint rate | 399 | |
| 1994 | High complaint rate | 303 | |
| 1989 | High complaint rate | 255 | |
| 1990 | High complaint rate | 244 | |
| 1993 | High complaint rate | 200 | |
| 1992 | High complaint rate | 199 | |
| 1988 | High complaint rate | 147 | |
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 109 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 108 | |
| 2017 | High complaint rate | 99 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 94 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 88 | |
| 1996 | High complaint rate | 69 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 46 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 43 |
Every Continental year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2019 | 37 | 3 | |
| 2018 | 20 | 2 | |
| 2017avoid | 99 | 4 | |
| 2002avoid | 43 | 1 | |
| 2001 | 38 | 2 | |
| 2000avoid | 108 | 4 | |
| 1999avoid | 46 | 3 | |
| 1998avoid | 88 | 2 | |
| 1997avoid | 109 | 2 | |
| 1996avoid | 69 | 3 | |
| 1995avoid | 94 | 2 | |
| 1994avoid | 303 | 5 | |
| 1993avoid | 200 | 4 | |
| 1992avoid | 199 | 3 | |
| 1991avoid | 399 | 3 | |
| 1990avoid | 244 | 5 | |
| 1989avoid | 255 | 5 | |
| 1988avoid | 147 | 9 | |
| 1987 | 14 | 1 | |
| 1986 | 8 | 5 | |
| 1985 | 18 | 2 | |
| 1984 | 9 | 2 | |
| 1983 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1982 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1980 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1979 | 2 | 2 | |
| 1978 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1977 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1976 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1975 | 1 | 3 | |
| 1974 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1969 | 0 | 1 |
Common questions
What are the worst Lincoln Continental years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Continental years to avoid are 1991, 1994, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1992, 1988, 1997, 2000, 2017, 1995, 1998, 1996, 1999, 2002. The cleanest year on record is 1980.
What is the best year for the Lincoln Continental?
By complaint volume, 1980 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Continental years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Lincoln Continental have?
Across all model years, the Continental has 50 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 2,563 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.