LINCOLN CONTINENTAL · model year

2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

43 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002LINCOLNCONTINENTAL carries 43 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 CONTINENTAL is unknown or other with 5 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (4) and equipment:appliance:air conditioner (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2002 CONTINENTAL. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

43
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

43 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER3
SUSPENSION3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS2
SEAT BELTS2
WHEELS2
PARKING BRAKE1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1

Recalls (1)

16E02600001/04/2016

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

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, Brake

Recent Complaints

20170324ENGINE

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

Mileage: 112,786

20160804SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELTS IN REAR ARE ALL LOCKING UP AND WILL NOT ALLOW FOR PASSENGERS IN BACK TO BE BUCKLED PROPERLY

20160215VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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 FULL POWER, AND THE DRIVER HAD TO APPLY BREAKS HARD TO SLOW, AND PULL OFF HIGHWAY. ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL RESULTED IN THE TRANSMISSION WANTING TO GO INTO REVERSE INSTEAD OF NEUTRAL. ONCE OFF THE ROAD, THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN. WHEN RESTARTED, IT WAS STILL STUCK AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO UNSTICK FAILED. AFTER IT REMAINED OFF A SHORT TIME, AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL OPERATED, IT RETURNED TO NORMAL. A SHORT TIME LATER WHILE TESTING IN THE PARKING LOT, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT MAY BE RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL, AS THE ISSUE APPEARED TO BE ELECTRONIC IN NATURE,

Mileage: 75,000

20151123CrashPOWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 106,000

20141228SUSPENSION

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 MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE A USED SPRING AND HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW COIL FOR $530.45 WHICH SEEMS EXCESSIVE. THIS ENDED UP BEING A $733.00 REPAIR. *TR

Mileage: 88,165

20141228SERVICE BRAKES

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 MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE A USED SPRING AND HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW COIL FOR $530.45 WHICH SEEMS EXCESSIVE. THIS ENDED UP BEING A $733.00 REPAIR. *TR

Mileage: 88,165

20140826SUSPENSION

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

Mileage: 140,000

20140826WHEELS

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

Mileage: 140,000

20121003CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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 THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED BUT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED A FEW DAYS AFTER THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

20110804VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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. ONCE THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, THE SPEED BEGAN TO REDUCE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND RESUMED NORMALLY FOR A BRIEF MOMENT AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 08/31/11*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE THROTTLE BODY CABLE WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. UPDATED 09/09/11

Mileage: 66,000

20110310SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

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

Mileage: 72,000

20091202WHEELS

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 IS NO REMEDY FROM FORD MOTOR CO. THIS DELAMINTING PROCESS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME. *TR

Mileage: 33,300

20090914SEAT 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 2002 BUT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2001. *TR

Mileage: 93,000

20090914POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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

Mileage: 93,000

20081228EXTERIOR 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 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

Mileage: 52,916

20080102SUSPENSION

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

20060513SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

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

Mileage: 55,000

20051212CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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

Mileage: 44,000

20050106UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NO SUMMARY. INFORMATION ON ODI #768869.

20040806ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 4,800

Compare 2002LINCOLNCONTINENTAL to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL have?
The 2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL has 43 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL?
Yes, the 2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL?
The most-complained component for the 2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER.
Is the 2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.