Lincoln Continental Recalls (2017-2020)
The Lincoln Continental has been the subject of 5 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA across the 2017 to 2020 model years. They cluster mostly around the back over prevention, latches/locks/linkages, and air bags.
The Lincoln Continental scores 94 out of 100 (grade A), one of the cleaner recall records among the vehicles we track. That score reflects how serious the recalls are rather than how many. 40% involve a critical safety system, none carried a do-not-drive warning, and 20% were issued in the last three years. How the score works.
Those 5 campaigns span 4 model years of the Lincoln Continental. The single largest affected 277,040 vehicles, over back over prevention. A recall repair is free at a franchised dealer and most never expire, so an older open recall is still worth fixing. Beyond recalls, you can also see the most common Continental problems owners report and its crash-test safety ratings.
The full record is below, grouped first by model year and then listed in detail. Each entry gives the defect NHTSA describes, the safety risk it creates, the manufacturer's remedy, the number of vehicles in that campaign, and the dates. A recall covers a whole production run, so a campaign listed for the Lincoln Continental may not apply to your exact vehicle, and one you have already had repaired will still appear in the history. To see what is actually open and unfixed on a specific car, check its 17-digit VIN.
Lincoln Continental recalls by model year
Recall activity by model year. Select a year to jump to its recalls below. Older years often carry more recalls simply because defects surface over time.
Lincoln Continental recalls by affected system
Which vehicle systems the recalls touch, using NHTSA's component groups. Select a system to see how it is recalled across every make and model.
Recalls by model year
2020 Lincoln Continental Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2020 Lincoln Continental, involving the back over prevention.
2019 Lincoln Continental Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2019 Lincoln Continental, involving the back over prevention and latches/locks/linkages.
2018 Lincoln Continental Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2018 Lincoln Continental, involving the back over prevention and latches/locks/linkages.
2017 Lincoln Continental Recalls
4 recalls affect the 2017 Lincoln Continental, involving the back over prevention, latches/locks/linkages, and air bags.
Every Lincoln Continental recall in detail
Back Over Prevention
- Affected years
- 2019-2020 Lincoln Continental
- Vehicles in this recall
- 200,237
- Reported
- Jun 27, 2025
- Owners notified
- Sep 4, 2025
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA campaign number 25V442000.
Back Over Prevention
- Affected years
- 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental
- Vehicles in this recall
- 277,040
- Reported
- Aug 26, 2022
- Owners notified
- Jul 14, 2023
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA campaign number 22V644000.
Latches/Locks/Linkages
- Affected years
- 2017-2019 Lincoln Continental
- Vehicles in this recall
- 27,609
- Reported
- Feb 11, 2019
- Owners notified
- Oct 14, 2019
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.
Risk: A door latch that is not fully engaged may result in a door opening while driving, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
NHTSA campaign number 19V077000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2017 Lincoln Continental
- Vehicles in this recall
- 27,531
- Reported
- Feb 27, 2017
- Owners notified
- Jun 16, 2017
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles and 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles. In the event of a crash, the driver's frontal air bag may not fully inflate or the air bag cushion may detach from the air bag module. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: During deployment, if the air bag does not fully inflate or the cushion detaches, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began June 16, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C02.
NHTSA campaign number 17V123000.
Exterior Lighting
- Affected years
- 2017 Lincoln Continental
- Vehicles in this recall
- 1,827
- Reported
- Oct 12, 2016
- Owners notified
- Nov 16, 2016
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles manufactured June 14, 2016, to September 23, 2016 and equipped with high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. The headlights may have been built with incorrect lenses, adversely affecting the turn signal visibility as well as not being properly marked. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."
Risk: Reduced turn signal visibility to other drivers and pedestrians can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlights, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C15.
NHTSA campaign number 16V731000.
Common questions about Lincoln Continental recalls
- Does the Lincoln Continental have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA has 5 recall campaigns on record for the Lincoln Continental across the 2017 to 2020 model years. The most common areas are the back over prevention, latches/locks/linkages, and air bags.
- How many times has the Lincoln Continental been recalled?
- The Lincoln Continental has 5 recall campaigns from the 2017 to 2020 model years. A single campaign often covers several model years at once, so the number of recalls is not the same as the number of years affected.
- What is the most serious Lincoln Continental recall?
- The most serious recall on record involves the back over prevention, affecting 277,040 vehicles. 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.
- Which Lincoln Continental model year has the most recalls?
- The 2017 Lincoln Continental has the most, with 4 recall campaigns on record. Older model years often pick up more recalls over time, since defects can surface years after a car is built.
- How do I check if my Lincoln Continental has an open recall?
- Enter your 17-digit VIN on the recall check page. It returns the recalls tied to your exact vehicle straight from NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer, with no expiration on most safety recalls.
Recall data comes from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. For how it is sourced and how the safety score is built, see the methodology and data sources. This page is a reference, not legal or safety advice.