2002 Lincoln Continental problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (4) · Wheels (2) · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lincoln Continental model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:pads 2016-04-01 · campaign 16E026000 · 49,635 vehicles
Defect: Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Tau
Risk: A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.
Service bulletins (38)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2005-11-14 · 041601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running. *tt
Seat Belts:front:retractor 2005-06-07 · 042421 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
safety belt retraction speed. *tt
Equipment:electrical:radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. 2005-02-01 · 18426 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
am fm and cellular phone reception interference . *eh
Electrical System 2005-01-01 · 18383 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
am/fm and cellular phone reception interference - service tip. *tt
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2004-12-13 · 042107 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
general (pcm) power train control module programming procedures. *tt
Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:rear Window 2004-12-13 · 04189 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 38 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2017-03-24 · Engine · 112,786 mi“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…”
2016-08-04 · Seat Belts“seat belts in rear are all locking up and will not allow for passengers in back to be buckled properly…”
2016-02-15 · Vehicle Speed Control · 75,000 mi“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 f…”
2015-11-23 · Power Train · 106,000 mi · 💥 crash“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.…”
2014-12-28 · Suspension · 88,165 mi“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…”
2014-08-26 · Wheels · 140,000 mi“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…”
2012-10-03 · Vehicle Speed Control · 110,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 th…”
2011-08-04 · Vehicle Speed Control · 66,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 lincoln continental. the contact was driving approximately 65 mph when the accelerator pedal abruptly traveled to the floorboard upon engaging and remained in a stuck position. there were numerous attempts to release the accelerator pedal which failed. the vehicle would not stop when pressure was applied to the brakes. …”
2011-03-10 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs · 72,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 lincoln continental. the contact stated that the front passenger side coil springs fractured and punctured the front passenger tire. the vehicle was towed to the dealer were they confirmed the failure but the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 72,000. updated 04/07/11*lj…”
2009-12-02 · Wheels · 33,300 mi“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 …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.