2020 Lincoln Continental reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2020 Lincoln Continental holds 7 complaints after 7 years, a rate of 1 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Continental years here — under the median of the other years, which is 2. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Back-over prevention, software and Camera.

2017 Lincoln Continental — Photo by Greg Gjerdingen, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Back-over prevention (2 of 7), then Electrical system (1) and Latches, locks, and linkages (1). Those filings include 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2019

The 2019 Continental has 31 complaints, 1 per year. The 2020 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2019.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2020 Lincoln Continental. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (2)

Recall back-over prevention, software 2025-06-27 · NHTSA campaign 25V442000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2022-08-26 · NHTSA campaign 22V644000

Summary 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.

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.

Complaints by component (7 total)

Back-over prevention

Electrical system

Latches, locks, and linkages

Service brakes

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"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…"
Unknown or other · filed 2025-07-31
"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…"
Latches, locks, and linkages · filed 2024-04-02
"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…"
Back-over prevention · filed 2023-07-06
"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…"
Back-over prevention · filed 2023-04-12
"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,…"
Unknown or other · filed 2021-04-25

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2020 Lincoln Continental 4 DR AWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2020 Lincoln Continental 4 DR FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Continental all-wheel drive	2.7L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	17	25	20 MPG	$3250
Continental all-wheel drive	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	16	24	19 MPG	$3400
Continental all-wheel drive	3.7L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	16	24	19 MPG	$3400
Continental front-wheel drive	3.7L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	17	26	20 MPG	$3250
Continental front-wheel drive	2.7L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	18	27	21 MPG	$3100
Continental Coach	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	16	24	19 MPG	$3400

Specs and fitment

Tenth generation, 2017–2020

Body styles Sedan

Oil Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 (WSS-M2C946-B1) , 6 qt capacity

Tire size 235/50R18, 255/45R19, 245/40R20 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA safety recall 19V-077 covers certain 2017-2019 Lincoln Continental vehicles. The door latch pawl motors may not function properly, possibly resulting in a door latch not fully engaging. A door that is not fully latched may open while driving, increasing injury risk. Remedy: dealers replace the latch assemblies on all four doors free of charge. NHTSA safety recall 22V-644 covers certain 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental vehicles equipped with the 360-degree camera system (also listing F-Super Duty trucks): degradation of the camera's anti-reflective lens coating can lead to a foggy or cloudy rearview camera image, reducing rearward visibility. Remedy: dealers replace the rearview camera free of charge. When NHTSA lists multiple Ford/Lincoln models in one campaign, the published unit count is shared.

Compare

Previous year 2019 Lincoln Continental See every Lincoln Continental model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Lincoln Continental reliable?

What are common problems with a 2020 Lincoln Continental?

The complaints owners file most often name Back-over prevention (2 of 7), then Electrical system (1) and Latches, locks, and linkages (1). Those filings include 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2020 Lincoln Continental more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2019 Continental has 31 complaints, 1 per year. The 2020 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2019.

Has the 2020 Lincoln Continental been recalled?

The 2020 Lincoln Continental has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Lincoln Continental?

Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2020 Lincoln Continental with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2020 Lincoln Continental get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2020 Lincoln Continental is 19.7 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a 2018 Lincoln Continental use?

The 2018 US owner's manual specifies Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 (WSS-M2C946-B1), about 6.0 qt with filter across the listed engines.

What recalls affect the Lincoln Continental?

NHTSA lists 19V-077 (door latch pawl motors on 2017-2019) and 22V-644 (360-degree camera rearview image on 2017-2020); F-Super Duty trucks share the camera campaign unit count.

What tire sizes fit a Lincoln Continental?

Trim-dependent OE sizes include 235/50R18, 255/45R19, and 245/40R20; check the door placard for your Continental’s wheel package.