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Verdict

2018 Lincoln Continental: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2018 Lincoln Continental — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

Fewer reported complaints than most sedan.

Owners filed 18 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 67% of 2018 sedans. Latches/Locks/Linkages leads the reports (28%). 2 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2018 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

18

Reports to NHTSA, 2018

Safety recalls

2

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

20

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

Fewer complaints than 67% of 2018 sedans

The bar is this car's percentile among 2018 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Latches/Locks/Linkages issues lead owner complaints (28% of 18 reports), followed by back over prevention (22%).

Latches/Locks/Linkages28% · 5 reports
Back Over Prevention22% · 4 reports
Electrical System22% · 4 reports
Unknown Or Other11% · 2 reports
Structure6% · 1 report
Tires6% · 1 report
Visibility/Wiper6% · 1 report

Share of all 18 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11746653, ODI 11703803, ODI 11448466, ODI 11288944, ODI 11191915.

Recalls(2)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Latches/Locks/LinkagesNov 2019 · 19V077000Details +

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.

Back Over Prevention · 22V644000Details +

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 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.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

2018 Lincoln Continental 4 DR FWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

2018 Lincoln Continental 4 DR AWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
Continental FWD2.7L 6-cylFront-Wheel Drive182721
Continental FWD3.7L 6-cylFront-Wheel Drive172620
Continental AWD2.7L 6-cylAll-Wheel Drive172520
Continental AWD3.0L 6-cylAll-Wheel Drive162419
Continental AWD3.7L 6-cylAll-Wheel Drive162419

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

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Compare model years

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2018 Lincoln Continental: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2018 Lincoln Continental?

Owners filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the 2018 Lincoln Continental — fewer complaints than 67% of comparable 2018 sedans, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2018 Lincoln Continental?

The most-reported problem areas are Latches/Locks/Linkages (28% of complaints) and back over prevention (22%).

How many recalls does the 2018 Lincoln Continental have?

2 recalls have been issued that affect the 2018 Lincoln Continental, covering components such as latches/locks/linkages. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Lincoln Continental get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Lincoln Continental between 19 and 21 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.