2002 Lincoln Continental: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 33 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2017
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2015
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2013
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2012
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2011
“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”Owner report · Wheels · Nov 2009
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2007
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2007
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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 Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Continental by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Lincoln Continental reliable?
NHTSA has 33 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2002 Lincoln Continental. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Lincoln Continental problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,500 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Lincoln Continental have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:pads. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.