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2002 Lincoln Continental

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 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

Limited mileage data: 18 of 33 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

33 reports
93,000 miles · Sep 14, 2009
Power TrainSeat Belts

THE CENTER SEAT BELT IS LOCKED AGAINST THE SEAT AND CANNOT BE UTILIZED. THE CLIMATE CONTROL STICKS AND CANNOT BE SET TO DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES. THE TRANSMISSION SURGES IN, IT SEEMS IN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. I SAW THESE PROBLEMS ON THE WEB SITE AS RECALLS FOR THE 2000 TO 2001 YEAR MODELS OF THIS AUTO. WELL THE ONE I HAVE IS 2…

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THE CENTER SEAT BELT IS LOCKED AGAINST THE SEAT AND CANNOT BE UTILIZED. THE CLIMATE CONTROL STICKS AND CANNOT BE SET TO DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES. THE TRANSMISSION SURGES IN, IT SEEMS IN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. I SAW THESE PROBLEMS ON THE WEB SITE AS RECALLS FOR THE 2000 TO 2001 YEAR MODELS OF THIS AUTO. WELL THE ONE I HAVE IS 2002 BUT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2001. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283926

52,916 miles · Dec 28, 2008
Exterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING IN THE LATE EVENING HOURS, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ABLE TO BE TURNED ON BECAUSE OF A BROKEN SWITCH KNOB. THE 2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WAS TAKEN TO STIVERS AUTOMOTIVE OF COLUMBIA, SC TO REPLACE THE LIGHTING SWITCH KNOB. A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED ON THE CAR AND THE DEALERSHIP DECIDED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE L…

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WHILE DRIVING IN THE LATE EVENING HOURS, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ABLE TO BE TURNED ON BECAUSE OF A BROKEN SWITCH KNOB. THE 2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WAS TAKEN TO STIVERS AUTOMOTIVE OF COLUMBIA, SC TO REPLACE THE LIGHTING SWITCH KNOB. A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED ON THE CAR AND THE DEALERSHIP DECIDED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE LIGHTING SWITCH PROCESSOR AT A COST OF $1213.73 PLUS LABOR OF $134.65. THE HEADLIGHT KNOB BROKE INTO TWO PIECES AND PREVENTED THE SWITCH FROM BEING TURNED ON AND BY NOT COMING ON CREATED A SAFETY HAZARD FOR MY FAMILY WAS WERE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO OTHER DRIVERS ON THE FREEWAY. I REQUESTED THE PROCESSOR THAT WAS REMOVED TO SEE IF IT REALLY WAS BROKEN AND HOPE TO HAVE THE PART TESTED BY A LAB. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252966

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2008
Suspension

2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL BROKEN STEERING/CONTROL ARM. CONSUMER STATES THAT MANUFACTURER DOES NOT MAKE THESE PARTS ANYMORE AND WANT THE CONSUMER TO GET IT FIXED WITH JUNK PARTS. CONSUMER STATES THAT IS AGAINST THEIR WARRANTY. *KB THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED WAS DUE TO SOME BAD REPAIRS. WHEN THE DEALER INSTA…

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2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL BROKEN STEERING/CONTROL ARM. CONSUMER STATES THAT MANUFACTURER DOES NOT MAKE THESE PARTS ANYMORE AND WANT THE CONSUMER TO GET IT FIXED WITH JUNK PARTS. CONSUMER STATES THAT IS AGAINST THEIR WARRANTY. *KB THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED WAS DUE TO SOME BAD REPAIRS. WHEN THE DEALER INSTALLED A FRONT RIGHT AXLE AND ROTATED THE TIRES, THOSE REPAIRS CAUSED THE TIRES/WHEELS TO TILT INWARD, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR. *JB UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ODI #10213911

55,000 miles · May 13, 2006
Suspension

02 FORD LINCOLN CONTINENTAL RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE CAUSING TIRE BLOWOUT & LOSS OF CONTROL MAY 11,06 LEFT SPRING BROKE WHILE PARKED GARAGE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10157500

44,000 miles · Dec 12, 2005
Air BagsCrash

DT: THE CONTACT STATED BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. THE ROADS WERE DRY WHEN THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE ROAD DIVIDER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP BEING REPAIRED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10144974

4,800 miles · Aug 6, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE STALLED AND CUT OFF WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND THE AIR FUEL MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL AND CUT OFF.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10087345

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2004
EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

PIECES OF VEHICLE'S ROTORS WERE FOUND ON THE GARAGE FLOOR.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHILE BRAKING. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. WHEN THE CONSUMER BACKED OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY HE NOTICED CARBON LIKE PIECES ON THE GARAGE FLOOR THAT APPARENTLY CAME OFF THE ROTORS OR PADS. WHILE ON VACATION THE A/C FAILE…

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PIECES OF VEHICLE'S ROTORS WERE FOUND ON THE GARAGE FLOOR.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHILE BRAKING. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. WHEN THE CONSUMER BACKED OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY HE NOTICED CARBON LIKE PIECES ON THE GARAGE FLOOR THAT APPARENTLY CAME OFF THE ROTORS OR PADS. WHILE ON VACATION THE A/C FAILED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10079811

24,000 miles · Jan 20, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE COMPARTMENT EMITS LOUD NOISE AND 'STEAM' WHEN IN SLOW TRAFFIC OR WHEN IDLING. TROUBLE TRACED TO FAULTY AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THIS WAS THE THIRD OCCURANCE IN 1 MONTH. THIS TIME THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND LEFT US STUCK IN TRAFFIC.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10054469

33,857 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

MY VEHICLE IS A LINCOLN LS. LEASED NEW IN APRIL 2002 WITH 6ML. ON IT. HAS BEEN IN FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS, THE CAR HAS BEEN GUTTED AND PUT BACK TOGETHER. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT THE AIRBAG MODULE WAS REPLACED. IT TOOK APPROX. 7 MONTHS TO GET FORD TO BUY BACK THE CAR. THEY WERE UNDOUBTEDLY AWARE THEY COULD COUNT ON MY CAVING AFTE…

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MY VEHICLE IS A LINCOLN LS. LEASED NEW IN APRIL 2002 WITH 6ML. ON IT. HAS BEEN IN FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS, THE CAR HAS BEEN GUTTED AND PUT BACK TOGETHER. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT THE AIRBAG MODULE WAS REPLACED. IT TOOK APPROX. 7 MONTHS TO GET FORD TO BUY BACK THE CAR. THEY WERE UNDOUBTEDLY AWARE THEY COULD COUNT ON MY CAVING AFTER MAKING PREMIUM PAYMENTS AND INSURANCE FOR ALMOST A YEAR ON A CAR THAT WAS NOT FIT TO DRIVE. AS SOON AS I HIRED AN ATTORNEY THEY DUG THEIR HEELS IN FARTHER. I SETTLED JUST TO GET THE LEMON OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AND TO FREE UP MY FUNDS TO GET ANOTHER CAR. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HANDLED MY SITUATION VERY UNPROFESSIONALLY AND WITH NO REGARD TO MY SAFETY. AT THIS POINT I WOULD ONLY HOPE THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO REGISTER THIS VEHICLE FOR RESALE WITH A RECORD OF THE DEFECTS AND NOT SIMPLY A BUY BACK WITH NO EXPLANATION.

NHTSA ODI #10069639

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Unknown Or Other

HAVE BEEN TO THE DSB BOARD THEY REQUESTED THE REPAINT THAT LOOKED AWFULL, THEY HAVE NOW REQUESTED A SECOND REPAINT AND I WANT REIEMBURSED FOR ANY LOSS OF TRADE IN VALUE RELATED TO A VEHICLE POORLY REPAINTED AND REPAINTED MY NEW 42K $$ LS HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR 56 DAYS LAST REPAINT AND NOT GIVEN A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE EXCEPT …

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HAVE BEEN TO THE DSB BOARD THEY REQUESTED THE REPAINT THAT LOOKED AWFULL, THEY HAVE NOW REQUESTED A SECOND REPAINT AND I WANT REIEMBURSED FOR ANY LOSS OF TRADE IN VALUE RELATED TO A VEHICLE POORLY REPAINTED AND REPAINTED MY NEW 42K $$ LS HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR 56 DAYS LAST REPAINT AND NOT GIVEN A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR 5 DAYS WHICH WAS A FOCUS!! CAN YOU IMAGINE??

NHTSA ODI #10069472

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.