RoadVitals

2002 Lincoln Continental Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
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Latest Mar 24, 2017
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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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.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Lincoln Continental, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Driver assistance615.8%
  • Brakes513.2%
  • Suspension513.2%
  • Engine513.2%
  • Heating & air conditioning37.9%
  • Other / unspecified37.9%
  • Seat belts37.9%
  • Airbags25.3%
  • Powertrain (other)12.6%
  • Exterior lighting12.6%
  • Steering12.6%
  • Electrical12.6%
  • Tires & wheels12.6%
  • Transmission12.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 15, 2016

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 · filed Oct 3, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 28, 2014

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 · filed Jun 23, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 28, 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 · filed Aug 26, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 24, 2017

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 · filed Aug 6, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 23, 2004

NO SUMMARY. DT

NHTSA ID 768869 · filed Oct 25, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 26, 2014

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 · filed Dec 2, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10893318 · filed Aug 4, 2016

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 · filed Sep 14, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 12, 2005

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 · filed Jan 15, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Nov 23, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 28, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 15, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

NO SUMMARY. DT

NHTSA ID 768869 · filed Oct 25, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER CALLED STATING OF HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE LEFT REAR DRIVER SIDE. CONSUMER HAD A BLOW OUT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TIRE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN. TS

NHTSA ID 8022190 · filed Nov 5, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 14, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .