VehicleVerdict

2000 Lincoln Continental problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 108 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.8 times the median Continental year — the 2000 model ranks #9 of 34 Continental years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (17), electrical system (13), and suspension (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

108

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Continental years?

Continental NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 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, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Continental years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Lincoln Continental problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1716%
Electrical System1312%
Suspension1312%
Visibility & Wipers1211%
Transmission87%
Tires & Wheels76%
Brakes66%
Engine55%
Seat Belts44%
Steering44%
Other44%
Fuel System33%
Speed Control33%
Body & Structure22%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)22%
Latches & Locks22%
Seats22%
Lighting11%

Does the 2000 Lincoln Continental have recalls?

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

16E026000BrakesApril 1, 2016 · 49,635 units

Defect

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 disc.

Consequence

A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

03V144000AirbagsApril 9, 2003 · 43,459 units

Defect

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LINCOLN AT 1-800-521-4140.

01V258000Visibility & WipersAugust 8, 2001 · 1,083,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPLETE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, OR IGNITION OF THE PLASTIC COVER MATERIAL. SWITCH MALFUNCTION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE INTERMITTENT SETTING OF THE WIPERS IS BEING USED, OR WHEN SNOW OR ICE OBSTRUCTS THE BLADES FROM RETURNING TO THE "PARKED" POSITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT AT THE FOLLOWING ASSEMBLY PLANTS: ATLANTA PLANT FROM 2/11/00 THROUGH 7/31/00; CHICAGO PLANT FROM 2/14/00 THROUGH 8/4/00; KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 2/26/00 TO 9/4/00; KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/18/00 TO 8/31/00; MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/23/00 THROUGH 8/3/00; NORFOLK PLANT FROM 2/21/00 THROUGH 7/27/00; WAYNE STAMPING AND ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 2/25/00 THROUGH 8/15/00; AND WIXOM PLANT FROM 2/15/00 THROUGH 8/8/00.

Consequence

LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE WIPER MOTOR. MOTORS BUILT WITH THE SUSPECT TIME FRAME WILL HAVE THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

99V250000Seat BeltsSeptember 20, 1999 · 25,306 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLIES. ASSEMBLIES WITH JULIAN DATE CODES OF 200 THROUGH 223 ARE SUSPECT AND WILL BE REPLACED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE MOON ROOF WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE MOTOR DID NOT WORK, THE AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, THE HORN DID NOT WORK, THERE WAS A CHIMING NOISE EVERY 30 MINUTES, AND ALSO THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · crash

“THE MOON ROOF WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE MOTOR DID NOT WORK, THE AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, THE HORN DID NOT WORK, THERE WAS A CHIMING NOISE EVERY 30 MINUTES, AND ALSO THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · crash

“THE MOON ROOF WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE MOTOR DID NOT WORK, THE AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, THE HORN DID NOT WORK, THERE WAS A CHIMING NOISE EVERY 30 MINUTES, AND ALSO THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · crash

“THE MOON ROOF WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE MOTOR DID NOT WORK, THE AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, THE HORN DID NOT WORK, THERE WAS A CHIMING NOISE EVERY 30 MINUTES, AND ALSO THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · crash

“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 70MPH & AUTOMATIC TRACTION KICKED IN. VEHICLE STARTED SLIDING ACROSS THE ROAD & HIT A TREE. AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER STATED TO THE DEALER & CONSUMER GET A LAWYER. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 19, 2000 · crash

2000 Lincoln Continental — common questions

Is the 2000 Lincoln Continental reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 108 complaints put the 2000 model at #9 of 34 Continental years. It is one of the Continental years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Continental problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (17 complaints), electrical system (13 complaints), suspension (13 complaints).

Does the 2000 Lincoln Continental have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Lincoln Continental. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Lincoln Continental under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations 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.