VehicleVerdict

1982 Lincoln Continental problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 1982 Lincoln Continental — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1982 compare to other Continental years?

Continental NHTSA complaints by model year, 1982 highlighted399 complaints1969: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 1 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 2 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 9 complaints1985: 18 complaints1986: 8 complaints1987: 14 complaints1988: 147 complaints1989: 255 complaints1990: 244 complaints1991: 399 complaints1992: 199 complaints1993: 200 complaints1994: 303 complaints1995: 94 complaints1996: 69 complaints1997: 109 complaints1998: 88 complaints1999: 46 complaints2000: 108 complaints2001: 38 complaints2002: 43 complaints2017: 99 complaints2018: 20 complaints2019: 37 complaints2020: 7 complaints
Continental NHTSA complaints by model year, 1982 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Continental years to avoid →

What are the most common 1982 Lincoln Continental problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension1100%

Does the 1982 Lincoln Continental have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E064000Fuel SystemAugust 27, 2007 · 34,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Consequence

A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

82V041000Fuel SystemApril 27, 1982 · 15,988 units

Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH AN INADEQUATE SEAL BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER PIPE-HOUSING ASSEMBLY AND THE FUEL FILLER OPENING-COLLAR ASSEMBLY. TWO ATTACHING SCREWS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS JOINT WERE OMITTED DURING ASSEMBLY. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A SMALL QUANTITY OF OVERFLOW FUEL COULD LEAK INTO THE RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL BEHIND THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT TRIM PANEL IF FUEL "SPIT-BACK" OR OVERFILLING WERE TO OCCUR DURING REFUELING.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSTALL THE TWO MISSING FASTENERS AND A LOWER FLANGE REINFORCEMENT AT NO COST TO OWNER.

1982 Lincoln Continental — common questions

Is the 1982 Lincoln Continental reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1982 Lincoln Continental have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1982 Lincoln Continental. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1982 Lincoln Continental under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Lincoln Continental years should you avoid?

Based on 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 record among Continental years belongs to 1980.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.