RoadVitals

2002 Lincoln Continental Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
33
Latest Mar 24, 2017
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Mar 18, 2002

What this page shows

Our database holds 33 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Lincoln Continental. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 33 · page 1 of 2

Engine
Filed Mar 24, 2017

OIL PRESSURE SWITCH LIGHT CAME ON CHANGED OIL PRESSURE SWITCH BUT LIGHT STILL FLICKERS ON HAPPENS WHEN CAR IS IDLEING AT STOP LIGHTS ON CITY STREET

NHTSA ID
10968329
Incident
Mar 3, 2017
Mileage
112,786 mi
Seat belts
Filed Aug 4, 2016

SEAT BELTS IN REAR ARE ALL LOCKING UP AND WILL NOT ALLOW FOR PASSENGERS IN BACK TO BE BUCKLED PROPERLY

NHTSA ID
10893318
Incident
Mar 11, 2014
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 15, 2016

THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, WAS BEING ACCELERATED TO ENTER A HIGHWAY. DUE TO TRAFFIC, THERE WAS A LET OFF ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO ALLOW ANOTHER DRIVER TO MERGE, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND, INSTEAD IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT HAVING ANY DRIVER INPUT. BRAKES WERE APPLIED, AND THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT NEAR FULL POWER, AND THE DRIVER HAD TO APPLY BREAKS HARD TO SLOW, AND PULL OFF HIGHWAY. ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL RESULTED IN THE TRANSMISSION WANTING TO GO INTO REVERSE INSTEAD OF NEUTRAL. ONCE OFF THE ROAD, THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN. WHEN RESTARTED, IT WAS STILL STUCK AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO UNSTICK FAILED. AFTER IT REMAINED OFF A SHORT TIME, AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL OPERATED, IT RETURNED TO NORMAL. A SHORT TIME LATER WHILE TESTING IN THE PARKING LOT, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT MAY BE RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL, AS THE ISSUE APPEARED TO BE ELECTRONIC IN NATURE, AS THE OPERATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE WITH THE VEHICLE OFF SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY SORT OF STICKINESS OR UNUSUAL RESISTANCE. CRUISE CONTROL UNIT WAS UNPLUGGED, AND THE VEHICLE TESTED. THE PROBLEM DID NOT RECUR AT THIS TIME. I DROVE IT HOME LATER THAT NIGHT IN LIGHT TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO A SHOP TO EVALUATE DAMAGE CAUSED WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL TO AVOID ACCIDENT, AND SEE IF A ROOT CAUSE CAN BE DETERMINED. AS THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS OF THIS TYPE I BELEIVE IT MAY BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THIS IS A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE WITH APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED AND A RECALL ISSUED, REGARDLESS OF AGE, AS THIS COULD CAUSE ADDITIONAL INJURIES OR FATALITIES.

NHTSA ID
10826140
Incident
Feb 12, 2016
Mileage
75,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 23, 2015
Crash reported

THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK AND RIVING UP AND BRAKES ETC. DID NOT WORK. RAN INTO A SIDEWALK SO IWOULD NOT HIT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME.A CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT.

NHTSA ID
10806401
Incident
Nov 21, 2015
Mileage
106,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Dec 28, 2014

AFTER TURNING ON THE IGNITION AND PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR, MY 2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MADE AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND AFTER STARTING IT AGAIN EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. AFTER ABOUT A HALF HOUR OF DRIVING, THE CAR BECAME NOISY. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE RIGHT FRONT COIL WAS BROKEN. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE A USED SPRING AND HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW COIL FOR $530.45 WHICH SEEMS EXCESSIVE. THIS ENDED UP BEING A $733.00 REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10668546
Incident
Jan 13, 2014
Mileage
88,165 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Aug 26, 2014

DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT TIRE. I WAS JUST BEGINNING TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVE-WAY. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP. HAD BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND THE TIRE REPLACED. LUCKILY IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10628384
Incident
Aug 5, 2013
Mileage
140,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 3, 2012
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT THEN CRASHED INTO A WALL AND SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER KNEE AND BACK. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED BUT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED A FEW DAYS AFTER THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10478507
Incident
Jul 25, 2012
Mileage
110,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 4, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ABRUPTLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD UPON ENGAGING AND REMAINED IN A STUCK POSITION. THERE WERE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKES. ONCE THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, THE SPEED BEGAN TO REDUCE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND RESUMED NORMALLY FOR A BRIEF MOMENT AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 08/31/11*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE THROTTLE BODY CABLE WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. UPDATED 09/09/11

NHTSA ID
10417003
Incident
Jul 31, 2011
Mileage
66,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 10, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WERE THEY CONFIRMED THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 04/07/11*LJ

NHTSA ID
10389742
Incident
Mar 6, 2011
Mileage
72,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 2, 2009

I OWN A 2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WHICH HAS OEM CHROME WHEELS. THE CHROME PLATING ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEELS IS DELAMINATING AND CURLING INWARD TOWARD THE BRAKE AREA WHERE THE RUBBER LINES ARE LOCATED. NORMALLY A DRIVER WOULD NOT EVEN NOTICE THIS PLATING FAILURE AND IT COULD RESULT IN A SLICING OF THE RUBBER BRAKE LINES. THE FORD DEALER SAID THERE IS NO REMEDY FROM FORD MOTOR CO. THIS DELAMINTING PROCESS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10294306
Incident
Nov 26, 2009
Mileage
33,300 mi
Seat beltsTransmission
Filed Sep 14, 2009

THE CENTER SEAT BELT IS LOCKED AGAINST THE SEAT AND CANNOT BE UTILIZED. THE CLIMATE CONTROL STICKS AND CANNOT BE SET TO DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES. THE TRANSMISSION SURGES IN, IT SEEMS IN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. I SAW THESE PROBLEMS ON THE WEB SITE AS RECALLS FOR THE 2000 TO 2001 YEAR MODELS OF THIS AUTO. WELL THE ONE I HAVE IS 2002 BUT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2001. *TR

NHTSA ID
10283926
Incident
Jun 25, 2007
Mileage
93,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 28, 2008

WHILE DRIVING IN THE LATE EVENING HOURS, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ABLE TO BE TURNED ON BECAUSE OF A BROKEN SWITCH KNOB. THE 2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WAS TAKEN TO STIVERS AUTOMOTIVE OF COLUMBIA, SC TO REPLACE THE LIGHTING SWITCH KNOB. A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED ON THE CAR AND THE DEALERSHIP DECIDED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE LIGHTING SWITCH PROCESSOR AT A COST OF $1213.73 PLUS LABOR OF $134.65. THE HEADLIGHT KNOB BROKE INTO TWO PIECES AND PREVENTED THE SWITCH FROM BEING TURNED ON AND BY NOT COMING ON CREATED A SAFETY HAZARD FOR MY FAMILY WAS WERE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO OTHER DRIVERS ON THE FREEWAY. I REQUESTED THE PROCESSOR THAT WAS REMOVED TO SEE IF IT REALLY WAS BROKEN AND HOPE TO HAVE THE PART TESTED BY A LAB. *TR

NHTSA ID
10252966
Incident
Dec 1, 2008
Mileage
52,916 mi
Suspension
Filed Jan 2, 2008

2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL BROKEN STEERING/CONTROL ARM. CONSUMER STATES THAT MANUFACTURER DOES NOT MAKE THESE PARTS ANYMORE AND WANT THE CONSUMER TO GET IT FIXED WITH JUNK PARTS. CONSUMER STATES THAT IS AGAINST THEIR WARRANTY. *KB THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED WAS DUE TO SOME BAD REPAIRS. WHEN THE DEALER INSTALLED A FRONT RIGHT AXLE AND ROTATED THE TIRES, THOSE REPAIRS CAUSED THE TIRES/WHEELS TO TILT INWARD, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR. *JB UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ID
10213911
Incident
Nov 16, 2007
Suspension
Filed May 13, 2006

02 FORD LINCOLN CONTINENTAL RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE CAUSING TIRE BLOWOUT & LOSS OF CONTROL MAY 11,06 LEFT SPRING BROKE WHILE PARKED GARAGE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10157500
Incident
May 11, 2005
Mileage
55,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 12, 2005
Crash reported

DT: THE CONTACT STATED BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. THE ROADS WERE DRY WHEN THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE ROAD DIVIDER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP BEING REPAIRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10144974
Incident
Dec 8, 2005
Mileage
44,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 6, 2004

VEHICLE STALLED AND CUT OFF WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND THE AIR FUEL MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL AND CUT OFF.*AK

NHTSA ID
10087345
Incident
Jul 29, 2004
Mileage
4,800 mi
BrakesHeating & air conditioning
Filed Jun 23, 2004

PIECES OF VEHICLE'S ROTORS WERE FOUND ON THE GARAGE FLOOR.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHILE BRAKING. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. WHEN THE CONSUMER BACKED OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY HE NOTICED CARBON LIKE PIECES ON THE GARAGE FLOOR THAT APPARENTLY CAME OFF THE ROTORS OR PADS. WHILE ON VACATION THE A/C FAILED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10079811
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Engine
Filed Jan 20, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT EMITS LOUD NOISE AND 'STEAM' WHEN IN SLOW TRAFFIC OR WHEN IDLING. TROUBLE TRACED TO FAULTY AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THIS WAS THE THIRD OCCURANCE IN 1 MONTH. THIS TIME THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND LEFT US STUCK IN TRAFFIC.*AK

NHTSA ID
10054469
Incident
Jan 19, 2004
Mileage
24,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesSteering
Filed Jan 15, 2004

MY VEHICLE IS A LINCOLN LS. LEASED NEW IN APRIL 2002 WITH 6ML. ON IT. HAS BEEN IN FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS, THE CAR HAS BEEN GUTTED AND PUT BACK TOGETHER. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT THE AIRBAG MODULE WAS REPLACED. IT TOOK APPROX. 7 MONTHS TO GET FORD TO BUY BACK THE CAR. THEY WERE UNDOUBTEDLY AWARE THEY COULD COUNT ON MY CAVING AFTER MAKING PREMIUM PAYMENTS AND INSURANCE FOR ALMOST A YEAR ON A CAR THAT WAS NOT FIT TO DRIVE. AS SOON AS I HIRED AN ATTORNEY THEY DUG THEIR HEELS IN FARTHER. I SETTLED JUST TO GET THE LEMON OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AND TO FREE UP MY FUNDS TO GET ANOTHER CAR. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HANDLED MY SITUATION VERY UNPROFESSIONALLY AND WITH NO REGARD TO MY SAFETY. AT THIS POINT I WOULD ONLY HOPE THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO REGISTER THIS VEHICLE FOR RESALE WITH A RECORD OF THE DEFECTS AND NOT SIMPLY A BUY BACK WITH NO EXPLANATION.

NHTSA ID
10069639
Incident
Jan 15, 2003
Mileage
33,857 mi
Filed Jan 15, 2004

HAVE BEEN TO THE DSB BOARD THEY REQUESTED THE REPAINT THAT LOOKED AWFULL, THEY HAVE NOW REQUESTED A SECOND REPAINT AND I WANT REIEMBURSED FOR ANY LOSS OF TRADE IN VALUE RELATED TO A VEHICLE POORLY REPAINTED AND REPAINTED MY NEW 42K $$ LS HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR 56 DAYS LAST REPAINT AND NOT GIVEN A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR 5 DAYS WHICH WAS A FOCUS!! CAN YOU IMAGINE??

NHTSA ID
10069472
Incident
Nov 15, 2002
Filed Jan 15, 2004

WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE CAR KEEPS PICKING UP SPEED.

NHTSA ID
10069276
Incident
Nov 15, 2002
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 1, 2003

DURING BRIGHT DAY LIGHT HOURS SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE DUE TO THE COLOR OF THE NEEDLE AND THE DIAL'S BACKGROUND. THE NEEDLE IS DULL RED, AND THE BACKGROUND IS BLACK. THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE SUN MAKES THE NEEDLE FADE AWAY. THE PANEL AND NEEDLES FUNCTION PROPERLY ON DAYS IT'S NOT SO BRIGHT. THE CONSUMER HAD THE DEALER PAINT THE DIAL NEEDLE WHITE BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE TINTED PLASTIC COVER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *NLM

NHTSA ID
10037942
Incident
Aug 5, 2003
Mileage
26,500 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Sep 17, 2003

THE NHTSA WEB SITE WON'T LET ME LOOK UP MY CAR (HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/IVOQ/). MY CAR IS A 2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. WITHIN THE 2002 LINCOLN, THE ONLY MODEL ON WHICH THE SYSTEM PERMITS INQUIRIES IS THE TOWN CAR. WHAT ABOUT THE 2002 CONTINENTAL? WHAT ABOUT THE 2002 LS? REGARDS, CHUCK KIRKPATRICK. *JB

NHTSA ID
10039082
Incident
Sep 17, 2003
Filed Jun 23, 2003

2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. FRONT AIR DAM MADE OF BRITTLE PLASTIC AND BREAKS IF IT TOUCHES ANYTHING. THIS VEHICLE HAS 8500 MILES AND TWO AIR DAMS HAVE BROKEN. LINCOLN/MERC DEALER REPLACED ONE BUT REFUSES TO REPLACE ANOTHER. CUSTOMER SERVICE SAYS THE DAMAGE IS DUE TO "DRIVER CARELESSNESS" AND REFUSES TO REPLACE. THIS ITEM IS EXTREMELY FRAGILE AND HAS NO "GIVE". THE DEALER AT FIRST STATED THAT "THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM" WITH THE CONTINENTAL BUT NOW STATES IT IS THE "CUSTOMERS FAULT". THE DEALER ALSO STATES THAT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE COULD OCCUR OF IT IS NOT REPLACED BECAUSE IT DIRECTS THE AIR THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WE HAVE PERSONALLY INSPECTED OTHER LINCOLN VEHICLES AND NUMEROUS HAVE THE EITHER COMPLETELY MISSING OR DAMAGE AIR DAMS. IT APPEARS THIS IS A QUICK $ 80.00 PROFIT FOR THE COMPANY THAT COULD BE EASILY FIXED USING SOFTER MATERIAL. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10023597
Incident
Jun 10, 2002
Mileage
8,000 mi
Filed May 13, 2003

NO SUMMARY. INFORMATION ON ODI #768869.

NHTSA ID
10020416
Incident
May 1, 2003

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .