Skip to content
Lincoln ContinentalModel year report

2000 Lincoln Continental Problems

Complaints
63filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
86,500miles, 33 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl FWD · 15 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2000 Lincoln Continental (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe coil spring failures at the front suspension, with several reports of a broken spring end puncturing a tire, and a separate group describing air bag warning lights or unexpected deployments. Many complaints come from cars well past 60,000 miles, though air bag light reports appear at low mileage too.

  1. Air bags

    Air bag warning light on or air bag deploys unexpectedly

    • 14 complaints (22%)
    • median 100,626 mi at 6.8 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1999–2014

    Complaints describe the air bag warning light staying on after repairs, sometimes returning soon after a dealer replaced a harness or sensor, with dealers telling owners the bag may not work or may fire on its own. Other reports describe a bag deploying with no impact, including while the car was moving slowly in a driveway, while entering the vehicle, or from the rear seat; some owners mention a rock or underbody strike being blamed. Reports span low mileage cars under 30,000 miles up to about 113,000 miles, with no clear weather or season pattern.

    Recall 03V144000

    What to check: Ask whether any air bag warning light repairs or sensor replacements were done, and confirm the light goes out after the self-test when the key is turned; a campaign exists for deployment from underbody impacts near the sensors, so check by VIN whether it was completed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Airbag light illuminated, consumer took vehicle to dealer and dealer stated that airbags may not deploy in an accident or may deploy on their own. Light has illuminated five times in the last two years. Consumer noted that when vehicle was under warranty, dealership could not fix problem, however now that vehicle is out of warranty a fix is now available. .”

    NHTSA complaint #8022781, filed 2002-11, 10,955 miles

    “Consumer states air bag light remains lit. Vehicle repaired by dlr who replaced the entire harness assembly. Light came on again. Dlr advised consumer that air bag will not function properly if light is on. Dlr can not determine root of problem.”

    NHTSA complaint #8020355, filed 2002-10
  2. Suspension

    Front coil spring breaks and can puncture the tire

    • 7 complaints (11%)
    • median 86,500 mi at 6.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2005–2012

    Owners describe a loud bang or pop, usually at low speed or while backing up, followed by finding a piece of the front coil spring on the ground or a flat tire. In several reports the broken spring end cut into the tire sidewall, and in some cases both sides failed months apart. Repairs described include replacing the spring, strut, sway bar link and tire, with at least one owner reporting a bill over $1,000. Mostly reported between roughly 42,000 and 166,000 miles, often while driving slowly or in reverse.

    What to check: Have a shop inspect both front coil springs and the tops of the struts for cracks or fresh breaks, and check the inner sidewalls of the front tires for cuts.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While driving at approx. 10 MPH I heard a loud bang on the morning of 4-24-06. I came to a stop thinking I had hit something in the road. I looked around the back of the car and noticed part of the coil spring on the ground. I knew exactly what it was because the passenger side broke on 4-6-06. If at either time I would have been driving at any substantial speed it could have caused a major accident.”

    NHTSA complaint #10156006, filed 2006-04, 86,500 miles

    “The spring on the front driver's side broke, causing the broken end to catch the inside of the tire ripping the entire side and inhibiting steering. Had this happened at any speed while driving an terrible accident could have been caused. There was no prior incident which could have LED to the spring breaking and there is no obvious superficial defect in the spring.”

    NHTSA complaint #10114030, filed 2005-03, 55,351 miles
  3. Electrical system

    Dome, door lock and warning light electrical glitches

    • 8 complaints (13%)
    • median 93,000 mi at 8.4 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2001–2009

    Owners describe warning lights flashing on for no reason, interior lights coming on while parked, and power door locks cycling or failing to lock and set the alarm. Some reports mention a burning smell or smoke at the steering column near the flasher switch, and a few describe intermittent loss of dash lights, windows and radio tied to an electrical short that cleared after a restart. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 137,000 miles, sometimes after a period of disuse.

    What to check: Test the door locks, keyless entry and alarm, watch for interior lights staying on after locking, and look for a scorched or melted area at the steering column flasher switch.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The entire computer system which controls the warning indicator lights has been in for repair six times and is still not fixed. We get rescue system failure, service engine soon, low washer fluid and a variety of other safety warnings. We cannot drive the car and be certain we are not in jeopardy. The dealership has told us they currently have multiple Lincoln's in for this problem and the home office has advised them that they do not know what is causing this, but that they suspect florida's heat and humidity . …”

    NHTSA complaint #747282, filed 2001-06

    “Completed a turn using the signal light(unknown if related) and smoke emitted from the steering column. A odor of burning wiring insulation was detected at the same time. Dealer was unable to duplicate and no corrective action was taken.”

    NHTSA complaint #10146079, filed 2005-12, 59,500 miles
  4. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Windshield wiper motor and rear defroster problems

    • 8 complaints (13%)
    • median 70,000 mi at 4.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1999–2010

    Complaints include intermittent or complete loss of wiper function, which is covered by a wiper motor campaign that some owners report was refused or delayed at a dealer. Other visibility reports describe rear window defroster grid and antenna terminal failures, mirrors that could not be adjusted far enough, and interior reflections making the instrument panel hard to read. Wiper reports cluster at low mileage and early ownership; defroster and mirror complaints appear across the mileage range.

    Recall 01V2580002 related service bulletins

    What to check: Run the wipers on every speed including intermittent to confirm park and return work, check the rear defroster lines with the grid on, and confirm by VIN whether wiper motor campaign 01V258000 was completed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Purchased vehicle in tx and almost immediately had to relocate to de. When wifes turn to drive, she is 5'2 she could not adjust rt sideview mirror enough laterally to be usable and she would not drive vehicle. I assumed it needed adjestment. We had 3 previous ford vehicles and this item adjusted ok. Took it to dealer in de for service and to get mirror adjusted. Svcmgr advised they have had several complaints about this and Lincoln told him it was a design defect. …”

    NHTSA complaint #716639, filed 1999-12

    “Consumer received recall notification 01v258000 concerning windshield wiper motor cover. Upon contacting local Lincoln dealership,consumer was informed that service would not be performed because vehicle was not purchased from their location. Consumer states recall repairs were completed at another dealer.”

    NHTSA complaint #898847, filed 2001-11
  5. Transmission and drivetrain

    Transmission shudder, slipping and loss of drive

    • 6 complaints (10%)
    • median 43,700 mi at 6.4 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2000–2010

    Complaints describe shuddering or slipping between gears at steady highway speed, with rpm and speed dropping afterward, and in one case the car acting as if it were in neutral even at full throttle. Owners report repeated transmission removals for diagnosis and, in another report, complete loss of power at low speed. Reported from about 23,000 to 70,000 miles, often during steady-speed highway driving.

    What to check: Drive at a steady 45-65 mph and feel for shudder or hunting between gears, check the transmission fluid condition and service history, and ask whether the unit has been repaired or replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10350153, filed 2010-08, 136,000 miles

    “While driving, the vehicle vibrated. The transmission had been taken out several time to find the problem. In addition, the vehicle vibrated in reverse. The dealer did find the problem. The consumer requested an extended warranty, but was denied. . Also the clock spring was replaced.”

    NHTSA complaint #10037873, filed 2003-08, 23,000 miles

Buying note. On this model year, budget for a front suspension inspection first, since spring failures that take out a tire are the most common theme in owner reports, and then verify the wiper motor and air bag campaigns by VIN. Drive it at steady highway speed to check the transmission and test all electrical accessories before committing.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 52 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 63 consumer complaints for the 2000 Lincoln Continental. 33 of the complaints include a mileage, and 24% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 86,500 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 7 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 9 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Fuel system (3), Seat belts (3), Vehicle speed control (3), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Other or unknown (2), Seats (2), Body and structure (2), Engine (1), Interior lighting (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “When the consumer applied the brakes, the brake pedal became hard, and consequently the consumer hit another vehicle. The vehicle pulled to the left which happened when the brakes were applied, the engine had run rough, the driver window has become inoperative, the windshield wipers left too many streaks, the left rear window had become inoperative, the rear brakes would grind when applied at 50 MPH, the steering felt loose at 30 MPH and the consumer had to constantly adjust, the brakes would not work at times(2 accidents occurred as a result), and the air bag did not deploy upon impact.”

NHTSA complaint #10017543, filed 2003-04, 1,214 miles

Suspension: “A neighbor pointed out that the automobile was sitting several inches lower than normal closer to ground while parked in driveway. I began to check on this every time I went to use the car. Sometimes vehicle was normal height, sometimes lower. I noticed that, sometimes, when I turned the ignition key there was sound heard like a fan operating. I asked questions of people who had owned similar models and was told that there was a problem in this model showing up 4 to 8 years after manufacture. This model has a ride control which involves three ride control settings. …”

NHTSA complaint #10576042, filed 2014-03, 105,000 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Both rear windows have failed and now drivers side window has issues. Front brakes had be replaced and now grind when stopping at high speed. Rear view mirror had to be replaced due to electrical falure. Both outer tye rod ends had to be replaced after ruining both front tires and alinement was not covered by extended warrenty. The cars ride and handling is poor and the interiour noise level is high for a luxery car.”

NHTSA complaint #10052475, filed 2004-01, 70,000 miles

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 1979 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and turned off, there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear end near the driver's side of the vehicle had caught on fire. The vehicle was extinguished by the Fire Department. A fire report was filed, and a fire report number was provided; however, the cause for the failure was not yet determined. A Police report was not filed. No injuries were sustained. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. …”

NHTSA complaint #11617441, filed 2024-10, 137,070 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

24% of the 33 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 106,000 miles.

3%0–106%10–2515%25–5021%50–7518%75–10033%100–1503%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (33 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 86,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

’019’04’07’10’13’24
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2000 Lincoln Continental version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Continental FWD4.6L 8-cyl4-speed automatic152318$4,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2000 Lincoln Continental → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 9 on record; the latest 9 are shown.

Other model years of the Lincoln Continental

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202075,0002521—Not enough data
20193327,0003521Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
20182178,5002521—Rising
20177550,0004521Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
20023360,5000—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20013275,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20006386,5003—18Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19994290,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199872100,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19979659,0751—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19964896,6832—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199570102,0731—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199419087,4565—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199312174,0004—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1992126101,0503—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1991203120,2263—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199015858,5003—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1989158133,5004—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198884—9—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19879—1—19—Not enough data
1986890,0005—19—Not enough data
198515—2—17—Stable
19846—2—16—Not enough data

All Lincoln Continental model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Lincoln Continental?

Owners of this model year most often describe coil spring failures at the front suspension, with several reports of a broken spring end puncturing a tire, and a separate group describing air bag warning lights or unexpected deployments. The issues reported most often: Air bag warning light on or air bag deploys unexpectedly; Front coil spring breaks and can puncture the tire; Dome, door lock and warning light electrical glitches.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000 Lincoln Continental have?

NHTSA recorded 63 consumer complaints for the 2000 Lincoln Continental as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2000 Lincoln Continental is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 16 complaints (25% of the total), followed by suspension with 12.

Has the 2000 Lincoln Continental been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2000 Lincoln Continental get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Lincoln Continental (Continental, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2000 Lincoln Continental reported?

Among the 33 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 86,500 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 106,000 miles; 24% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.