VehicleVerdict

2020 Lincoln Continental problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 2020 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.

In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

7

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Continental years?

Continental NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 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, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Continental years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Lincoln Continental problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance229%
Other229%
Brakes114%
Electrical System114%
Latches & Locks114%

Does the 2020 Lincoln Continental have recalls?

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

25V442000Driver AssistanceJune 27, 2025 · 200,237 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“Passenger Door Latch sensor failure. Door Latches were under recall 2017 to 2019 Lincoln Continental sedans built from Nov. 30, 2015, through Nov. 14, 2018, at Ford's Flat Rock assembly plant in Michigan to include 2020 manufactured in Flat Rock. My car was manufactured in Flat Rock, MI”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 25, 2025

“The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Continental. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V644000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a…”

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

“ON MY 2020 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL THE BRAKE PEDAL IS ABOUT ONE INCH HIGHER THEN THE GAS PEDAL. ON MOST CARS THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS ARE EVEN IN HEIGHT. ON THIS CAR WHEN I MOVE MY FOOT TO STOP THE CAR I MUST LIFT MY FOOT. A FEW TIMES THE SIDE OF MY FOOT HAS HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSING A MOMENTARY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 13, 2020

“TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2020 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPENING THE TRUNK FROM THE DASHBOARD AND UNLOADING GROCERIES FROM THE TRUNK, THE TRUNK LID INDEPENDENTLY CLOSED STICKING HIS HEAD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS NO CHIME AND THAT THE TRUNK WAS HEAVY. THE CONTACT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 3, 2020

“The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front driver’s side door would not open from the inside. In addition, the rear passenger’s side door would not open from the outside. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · March 25, 2024

2020 Lincoln Continental — common questions

Is the 2020 Lincoln Continental reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2020 Lincoln Continental have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 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 2020 Lincoln Continental?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 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.