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2000 Lincoln Continental

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Lincoln Continental do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 32.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

33 reports with mileage · 30 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports3 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

63 reports
136,000 miles · Aug 17, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSeat Belts

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON IT,S OWN AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY WOULDN'T WORK. I HAD TO GET OFF THE NEXT EXIT BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT ANYONE TO GET IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE IT WENT ALL THE WAY UP TO 90 MPH.ONCE I GOT OFF IT STILL WAS ACCELERATING SO I DROVE UP ON THE SIDEWALK TO KEEP FROM HI…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON IT,S OWN AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY WOULDN'T WORK. I HAD TO GET OFF THE NEXT EXIT BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT ANYONE TO GET IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE IT WENT ALL THE WAY UP TO 90 MPH.ONCE I GOT OFF IT STILL WAS ACCELERATING SO I DROVE UP ON THE SIDEWALK TO KEEP FROM HITTING TRAFFIC AT THE LIGHT AND GOT INTO THE GRASS AND IT STILL WAS GOING FAST AND THE BRAKES STILL NOT WORKING I PRAYED AND PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL OR I WOULD HAVE WENT RIGHT BACK INTO THE TRAFFIC. ONCE I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL IT STOPPED AND THEN I PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. I THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT WAS IDLING SO HIGH AND LOUD I TURNED IT BACK OFF AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. ONCE THEY ARRIVED HE STATED THAT THE LINKAGE TO THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK AND THAT'S IS WHY THE BRAKES WEREN'T RESPONDING. HE THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHO STATED HE WASN'T SURE IF THE COULD LOOK AT THE CAR OR IF HE DID WHEN HE WOULD BE ABLE TO WORK ON IT. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN SITTING AND I FOUND OUT ABOUT ALL THESE OTHER RECALLS AND COMPLAINTS FOR THE VERY OTHER THINGS WE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ON THIS CAR. THE TOWER ALSO STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ACCELERATION IF SO I NEED TO KNOW THIS BECAUSE THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE FIXED ON THE OTHER RECALLS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT DID THE ACCELERATION BUT THE FOGGY WINSHIELD,THE SEATBELTS LOCKING UP ON USING THE FRONT SEATS, THE SUSPENSION AND BRAKES HAVE BEEN LIKE THIS FOR A WHILE AND WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT THESE RECALL SO WE COULD GET THEM CORRECTED. OTHERS AND MYSELF COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT ON THAT HIGHWAY IF I DIDN'T STAY CALM THROUGH OUT THE WHOLE ORDEAL. I WOULD LIKE SOME RESPONSE TO WHAT I NEED TO DO NEXT AND IF THIS IS A RECALL LIKE THE OTHERS CAN I TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE IT CORRECTED. RIGHT NOW IT CAN BE DRIVEN AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350153

123,446 miles · Jul 16, 2009
EquipmentTires

2 TIRE VALVE FAILURE, BOTH AT HIGHWAY SPEED. TIRES MOUNTED 02/08 AT A GOODYEAR SHOP IN MARYSVILLE, OHIO 1ST FAILURE 06/12/09, AND THE 2ND 06/28/09. I WENT BACK TO THE SHOP, AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE "I DROVE ON THE FLAT TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD" I RUINED THE TIRE. I WAS NOT INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A BUNCH OF BAD CHINESE MADE…

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2 TIRE VALVE FAILURE, BOTH AT HIGHWAY SPEED. TIRES MOUNTED 02/08 AT A GOODYEAR SHOP IN MARYSVILLE, OHIO 1ST FAILURE 06/12/09, AND THE 2ND 06/28/09. I WENT BACK TO THE SHOP, AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE "I DROVE ON THE FLAT TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD" I RUINED THE TIRE. I WAS NOT INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A BUNCH OF BAD CHINESE MADE VALVES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277031

117,000 miles · Mar 11, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. SINCE MARCH OF 2009, THE DOORS HAVE FAILED TO LOCK AND SET THE ALARM OFF ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED ONCE, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CONTACT FEELS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DOORS NEED TO BE LOCKED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,0…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. SINCE MARCH OF 2009, THE DOORS HAVE FAILED TO LOCK AND SET THE ALARM OFF ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED ONCE, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CONTACT FEELS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DOORS NEED TO BE LOCKED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.

NHTSA ODI #10261579

100,626 miles · Aug 18, 2008
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND A TECHNICIAN REPAIRED THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT, SPRING, AND TIRE. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FRONT PASS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND A TECHNICIAN REPAIRED THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT, SPRING, AND TIRE. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SWAY BAR, SPRING, STRUT, AND TIRE WERE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF OVER $1,000. THE CONTACT HAS SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION OF THE VEHICLE'S REPAIR HISTORY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,881. UPDATED 09/23/08 *BF THE LEFT AIR BAG AIR SUSPENSION HAD BLOWN. THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE HAPPENED, THE CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND HEARD A NOISE. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING HAD BROKEN JUST LIKE THE FIRST FAILURE. UPDATED 09/25/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10238715

68,701 miles · Jul 18, 2008
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE TIRE BECOMING FLAT. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE STATION AND THEY REPLACED THE TIRE WITH HER DONUT. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SEARS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VALVE STEM FAILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE TIRE BECOMING FLAT. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE STATION AND THEY REPLACED THE TIRE WITH HER DONUT. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SEARS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VALVE STEM FAILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,701.

NHTSA ODI #10234769

166,000 miles · Mar 12, 2008
Suspension

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE WHICH WAS LIKE AN EXPLOSION. THIS CAUSED LOTS OF OTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR AS WELL AS THE TIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10220873

90,000 miles · Feb 29, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 04/16/08 *BF UPDATED 04/16/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10219727

93,000 miles · Feb 8, 2008
Electrical SystemInterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS ENGAGE AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE DOORS NORMALLY LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ALSO ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, WHICH PREVENTED THE ALARM SYSTEM FROM ENGAGING. THE FAILURE O…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS ENGAGE AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE DOORS NORMALLY LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ALSO ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, WHICH PREVENTED THE ALARM SYSTEM FROM ENGAGING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FEBRUARY 5, 2008. THE DOOR IS AJAR WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATED HAD ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, THE DOOR WAS SECURE. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE WEEK OF JANUARY 28, 2008 WHEN THERE WAS SNOW PRESENT AND DIMMED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONTACT REACHED HIS DESTINATION. THE DEALER HAD NOT YET DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,000.

NHTSA ODI #10218317

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2007
TiresCrash

2000 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL'S LEFT TIRE FAILED WHILE DRIVING. *TS WHEN THE TIRE FAILED THE VEHICLE DROVE OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STRUCK A CEMENT DIVIDER. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT TIRE, LEFT FRONT BUMPER, LEFT FRONT FENDER, AND LEFT FRONT RIM. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. *NM B.F. GOODRICH CONTROL PLUS TIRES…

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2000 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL'S LEFT TIRE FAILED WHILE DRIVING. *TS WHEN THE TIRE FAILED THE VEHICLE DROVE OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STRUCK A CEMENT DIVIDER. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT TIRE, LEFT FRONT BUMPER, LEFT FRONT FENDER, AND LEFT FRONT RIM. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. *NM B.F. GOODRICH CONTROL PLUS TIRES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10176421

66,000 miles · Jan 2, 2007
Seat Belts

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS DIDN'T RETRACT. THE CONTACT FOUND RECALL 99S26, BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE REAR SEATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGERS USED THE SEAT BELTS, AND WHEN THEY TRIED TO REUSE THEM ONE FAILED TO RETRACT AND THE OTHER WOULD NOT RELEASE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10177523

Official recalls

3

03V144000 · Air Bags:frontal

Apr 9, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY AS A RESULT OF UNDERBODY IMPACTS NEAR THE SENSORS, SUCH AS THOSE OCCURRING FROM PIECES OF GRAVEL OR DEBRIS THROWN FROM THE WHEELS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED AT MODERATE TO HIGH SPEED OR BEING ACCELERATED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LINCOLN AT 1-800-521-4140.

01V258000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Aug 8, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPLETE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, OR IGNITION OF THE PLASTIC COVER MATERIAL. SWITCH MALFUNCTION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE INTERMITTENT SETTING OF THE WIPERS IS BEING USED, OR WHEN SNOW OR ICE OBSTRUCTS THE BLADES FROM RETURNING TO THE "PARKED" POSITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT AT THE FOLLOWING ASSEMBLY PLANTS: ATLANTA PLANT FROM 2/11/00 THROUGH 7/31/00; CHICAGO PLANT FROM 2/14/00 THROUGH 8/4/00; KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 2/26/00 TO 9/4/00; KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/18/00 TO 8/31/00; MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/23/00 THROUGH 8/3/00; NORFOLK PLANT FROM 2/21/00 THROUGH 7/27/00; WAYNE STAMPING AND ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 2/25/00 THROUGH 8/15/00; AND WIXOM PLANT FROM 2/15/00 THROUGH 8/8/00.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE WIPER MOTOR. MOTORS BUILT WITH THE SUSPECT TIME FRAME WILL HAVE THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

99V250000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Sep 20, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE A PIN SHAFT IN THE SWITCHABLE ELR/ALR MECHANISM THAT IS INCORRECTLY FORMED. IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SWITCHING MECHANISM COULD BECOME NONFUNCTIONAL, PREVENTING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING FROM BEING EXTRACTED FROM THE RETRACTOR. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT MALFUNCTION OF THE MECHANISM COULD PREVENT THE BELT FROM BEING SWITCHED INTO THE ALR MODE. THE ELR MECHANISM IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONS AND DOES NOT ALLOW THE WEBBING TO BE EXTRACTED, THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT COULD NOT BE WORN BY A VEHICLE OCCUPANT. IN THE EVENT THAT THE MECHANISM DOES NOT ALLOW THE ALR MODE TO BE ENGAGED, THE OPERATOR MAY BE UNABLE TO PROPERLY INSTALL A CHILD SEAT IN THAT SEATING POSITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLIES. ASSEMBLIES WITH JULIAN DATE CODES OF 200 THROUGH 223 ARE SUSPECT AND WILL BE REPLACED.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA01012 · Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment

Opened Apr 27, 2001 · Closed Apr 15, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window

ON APRIL 9, 2003, ODI RECEIVED FROM FORD AN OWNER LETTER AND DEALER NOTICE, BOTH DATED MARCH 2003.THE OWNER LETTER STATES THAT FORD WILL CONDUCT A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN OF CERTAIN MY 1999-2000 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS (ALL MY 1999 VEHICLES AND MY 2000 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO 3/1/00; TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 42,000 VEHICLES).THE LETTER STATES THAT THE SIDE AIR BAGS IN THESE VEHICLES CAN DEPLOY IN CERTAIN TYPES OF UNDERBODY IMPACTS FROM PIECES OF GRAVEL OR DEBRIS.THE LETTER STATES THAT OWNERS WHO OPERATE THEIR VEHICLES IN SUCH DRIVING CONDITIONS SHOULD TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE RECALIBRATED CRASH SENSORS INSTALLED AT NO COST.THE RECALIBRATED SENSOR REDUCES THE POSSIBILITY OF INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.SEE NHTSA'S SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN NO. 03V-144 FOR MORE INFORMATION.THE ACTION TAKEN BY FORD APPEARS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

PE00042 · Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment

Opened Oct 16, 2000 · Closed Apr 27, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window

There is no summary currently available