VehicleVerdict

2017 Lincoln Continental problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 99 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.5 times the median Continental year — the 2017 model ranks #10 of 34 Continental years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (20), other (15), and latches & locks (15), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

99

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Continental years?

Continental NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 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, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Continental years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Lincoln Continental problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure2020%
Latches & Locks1515%
Other1515%
Electrical System1515%
Driver Assistance1313%
Seats44%
Engine44%
Brakes44%
Transmission33%
Steering33%
Airbags22%
Suspension11%

Does the 2017 Lincoln Continental have recalls?

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

22V644000Driver AssistanceAugust 26, 2022 · 277,040 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 21, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S51.

19V077000Latches & LocksFebruary 11, 2019 · 27,609 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Lincoln Continental vehicles. The door latch pawl motors may not function properly, possibly resulting in a door latch not fully engaging.

Consequence

A door latch that is not fully engaged may result in a door opening while driving, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the latch assemblies on all four doors, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S03.

17V123000AirbagsFebruary 27, 2017 · 27,531 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

16V731000LightingOctober 12, 2016 · 1,827 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

Reduced turn signal visibility to other drivers and pedestrians can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“Doors open while driving , happened 4 times in the last month . Back right door and drivers door 2 occasions on both doors . On line it says all Lincoln Continentals from 2017 2018 and 2019 were recalled and there telling me mine is not on the recall . This is a very dangerous situation this is my…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 18, 2026

“DECEMBER 26 2020, UPON ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN BUTTON DEPRESSED TO OPEN THE DOOR AND ALLOW PASSENGER TO EXIT. DOOR ONLY ALLOWED FOR EXIT WHEN OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE HANDLE. INABILITY TO EXIT VEHICLE PUTS LIVES IN DANGER. VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 26, 2020

“AT 49000 MILES THE LEFT REAR DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE FOR A WEEK. IT THEN WORKED OK UNTIL 50500. WE TOLD THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. AT 51000 MILES NOW BOTH REAR DOORS WILL NOT WORK FROM THE OUTSIDE. IF I AM IN A WRECK THERE IS NO WAY TO GET ANYONE OUT OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 20, 2019

“The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Continental. The contact was unable to open the rear doors after several attempts. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V077000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was not notified of the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · February 2, 2026

“The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera was fuzzy and distorted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · August 1, 2022

2017 Lincoln Continental — common questions

Is the 2017 Lincoln Continental reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 99 complaints put the 2017 model at #10 of 34 Continental years. It is one of the Continental years to avoid.

What are the most common 2017 Continental problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (20 complaints), other (15 complaints), latches & locks (15 complaints).

Does the 2017 Lincoln Continental have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Lincoln Continental. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.

How safe is the 2017 Lincoln Continental?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 Lincoln Continental earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.