RoadVitals

2020 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.
7
Latest Jul 31, 2025
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 Jun 27, 2025
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.
0
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Lincoln Continental, most frequently naming the driver assistance, body & structure and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 68 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

  • Driver assistance240.0%
  • Body & structure120.0%
  • Brakes120.0%
  • Interior & seats120.0%

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
25V442000

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

Jun 27, 2025
200,237 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 25S72View on NHTSA.gov
22V644000

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

Recent owner complaints

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

Filed Jul 31, 2025

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

NHTSA ID
11677490
Incident
Jul 25, 2025
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 2, 2024

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 or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

NHTSA ID
11580745
Incident
Mar 25, 2024
Mileage
93,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 6, 2023

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 reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11530586
Incident
Nov 1, 2022
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse, the rear-view camera became foggy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact then received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number 22V644000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11516679
Incident
Aug 12, 2022
Mileage
19,000 mi
Filed Apr 25, 2021

UNEXPLAINED CRACK IN WINDSHIELD. CRACK APPEARED WITHOUT ANY EXTERNAL OBJECT STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD. TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE 70S AND NOT FREEZING TEMPERATURES ALL YEAR (LIVING IN FRESNO CA). NOT SURE WHEN IT HAPPENED, BUT I NOTICED IT WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 7 MILES.

NHTSA ID
11413854
Incident
Apr 23, 2021
Mileage
5,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 20, 2020

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 DELAY IN STOPPING.

NHTSA ID
11365371
Incident
Aug 13, 2020
Mileage
200 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 7, 2020
1 injury reported

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 SUSTAINED HEAD AND SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT CALLED PALM SPRINGS MOTORS LOCATED AT 69-200 CA-111, CATHEDRAL CITY, CA 92234, AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT DUE TO HIM HAVING THE KEY FOB IN HIS POCKET, THE COMPUTER UNDERNEATH THE BUMPER WAS ACTIVATED CAUSING THE TRUNK TO CLOSE OR THAT THE KEY FOB MIGHT BE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160.

NHTSA ID
11323767
Incident
May 3, 2020
Mileage
160 mi

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

SSM 54589

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various connectivity concerns with The Ford App Lincoln App including but not limited to: missing activation prompt pop-upon the vehicle's center display screen when attempting to activate vehicle through The Ford App Lincoln App, incorrect location global positioning system GPS reported through The Ford App Lincoln App, problems with remote commands being performed through The Ford App Lincoln App and or incorrect data information reported on The Ford App Lincoln App. These symptoms will be accompanied by diagnostic trouble code DTC B156D 89 in the TCU. This may be due to the accessory protocol interface module APIM software. To correct the condition, update the APIM software.

25E08

POWER TRAIN

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

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
2020Viewing720—
2019323054.7
2018182053.5
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.