RoadVitals

2018 Lincoln Continental

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
18
Latest Jun 30, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Aug 26, 2022
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Lincoln Continental, most frequently naming the interior & seats, driver assistance and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 135 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Interior & seats529.4%
  • Driver assistance423.5%
  • Electrical423.5%
  • Body & structure15.9%
  • Exterior lighting15.9%
  • Tires & wheels15.9%
  • Visibility15.9%

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

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Aug 26, 2022
277,040 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: 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.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S51.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 22S51View on NHTSA.gov

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Feb 11, 2019
27,609 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A door latch that is not fully engaged may result in a door opening while driving, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 19S03View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Jun 30, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the battery charge drained unexpectedly. The headlights and warning lights were flashing on and off with the horn honking unintendedly. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.

NHTSA ID
11747410
Incident
Jun 24, 2026
Mileage
67,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V077000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) and the remedy, to replace the latch assemblies on all four doors, had been completed in 2019. Approximately 7 years later, the driver's side door failed to latch immediately. The contact consistently pressed the button for the door to latch and lock. The failure had gotten progressively worse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V077000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the repair was no longer covered by the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and the case was escalated to the Automotive Safety Office. The contact had not received a response from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 99,035.

NHTSA ID
11746653
Incident
Feb 26, 2026
Mileage
99,035 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 25, 2026

Vehicle door handles are prone to failure and unresponsive for the lock/unlock. Potential safety concern for customers like myself which should be brought to Lincoln’s attention. Driver side door handle and other door handles known to be unresponsive when locking/unlocking with keys or pressing button behind door handle.

NHTSA ID
11726993
Incident
Mar 12, 2026
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 8, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front driver's door latch failed to latch as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed front driver's door latch. The contact was informed that the front driver's door latch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact was concerned that the front driver's door might unlatch while driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that an unknown recall was performed in 2019, and that the front driver's door latch was replaced. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

NHTSA ID
11703803
Incident
Oct 8, 2025
Mileage
108,000 mi
Filed Mar 27, 2025

At issue is the on board display “Park Brake Limited Function Service Required” sometimes followed by flashing brake light. When this happens vehicle needs to pull over and stop and release the parking brake to go back to normal. . Also, there are times when light flashes ithe alarm goes off. Multiple times to shut off. The diagnosis was a faulty ABS-Module, which is now obsolete by Lincoln. We have tried many venues to find one and major parts house said he found none available in the U.S. Talking with Lincoln they had no answers. Question not answered by Lincoln are we at risk driving this vehicle. At the time vehicle drives great, since the ABS-Module affects other main parts of the vehicle, we are worried if another function is disrupted will it cause an issue. Such as an accident. Question, can we continue to drive this car safely. All information I’ve included can be verified by Korum Lincoln in Puyallup, Wa. 253-845-6600. The obsolete ABS-Module is the problem. Our safety is a concern!

NHTSA ID
11651153
Incident
Feb 1, 2025
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 22, 2023

When rotating tires 12/22/2023, upon removal of the right front tire, it was discovered that the inner sidewall had split open about midway between the tread and the wheel rim, for a distance of about one foot. There was no advance warning of this, and no warnings or messages displayed on the vehicle prior. As this was the first wheel removed, I am not sure what the condition of the other tires may be. As all tires are original equipment to the car, which is 4.5 years old and has approximately 18,000 miles on the odometer, I suspect that all tires will likely need to be replaced as they are all the same date code and DOT number. I have tried to upload pictures, but the webpage doesn't let me.

NHTSA ID
11561568
Incident
Dec 22, 2023
Driver assistance
Filed May 31, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Continental. The contact received recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V644000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse(R), the rear-view camera displayed blurry images. The contact stated that several undisclosed dealers were contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11524602
Incident
Aug 30, 2022
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 16, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11512191
Incident
Mar 15, 2023

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

25E08-S1

ENGINE; POWER TRAIN

Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogramming

25E08 S1

POWER TRAIN

NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 25E08 – Supplement #1 Certain 2016 – 2019 Model Year Lincoln MKT, 2016 Model Year MKS, and 2017 - 2020 Model Year Continental Vehicles with 3.7L Engines Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogramming

25N17

BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING; BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS; LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation

25E08

POWER TRAIN

Certain 2017 - 2020 Model Year Lincoln Continental Vehicles with 3.7L Engines Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogramming

TSB 25-2570

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to:  Display operation concerns  Navigation inoperative  Voice recognition concerns  Phone connection issues  Dropped phone connections  Applink related performance  Travel Link not present or showing incorrect traffic  Slow system response NOTE: Ford has found some of the APIMs replaced and returned for inspection contained an outdated software level and the APIM did not require replacement. The customer concern may have been resolved by updating the APIM with latest level of software. The SYNC 3 universal thumb drive will be able to update the APIM software without the use of a scan tool and does not require the process to be monitored. Ford will be monitoring APIM replacements to confirm TSB directed software updates have been performed.

SSM 54366

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN

Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lincoln Continental by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020720
2019323054.7
2018Viewing182053.5
2017744055.9
2002331042.1
2001322044.0
2000634261.9
1999423260.9
1998722052.5
1997962047.3
1996483048.2
1995702257.4
19941905258.0
19931214556.8
19921263859.2
19912033764.2
19901585665.1
19891585866.7
19888491168.2
1987916
1986854
1985152370.0
1984622
1983231
1982121
1981100
1980010
1979220
1978100
1977111
1976010
1975130
1974010
1969010

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.