2002 Lincoln Continental Problems
- Complaints
- 33filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 60,500miles, 18 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of 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 2002 Lincoln Continental (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2002 Lincoln Continental. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 6 complaints (18% of the total), followed by brakes (5) and other or unknown (5). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 39% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,500 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 10 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.
- Brakes5 15%
- Other or unknown5 15%
- Suspension5 15%
- Engine cooling4 12%
- Equipment4 12%
- Seat belts3 9.1%
- Air bags2 6.1%
- Wheels2 6.1%
Also reported: Electrical system (1), Engine (1), Exterior lighting (1), Steering (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Vehicle 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10826140, filed 2016-02, 75,000 milesBrakes: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10668546, filed 2014-12, 88,165 milesOther or unknown: “2002 Lincoln Continental. Front air dam made of brittle plastic and breaks if it touches anything. This vehicle has 8500 miles and two air dams have broken. Lincoln/merc dealer replaced one but refuses to replace another. Customer service says the damage is due to driver carelessness and refuses to replace. This item is extremely fragile and has no give . The dealer at first stated that this is a known problem with the Continental but now states it is the customers fault . …”
NHTSA complaint #10023597, filed 2003-06, 8,000 milesSuspension: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10628384, filed 2014-08, 140,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
39% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 33,300 and 93,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2002 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental FWD | 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 Lincoln Continental in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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. 10 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10018745Nov 14, 2005Engine cooling. Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10014138Jun 7, 2005Seat belts. Safety belt retraction speed.
- 10012964Feb 1, 2005Equipment. Am fm and cellular phone reception interference .
- 10013321Jan 1, 2005Electrical system. Am/fm and cellular phone reception interference - service tip.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004Transmission and drivetrain. General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10014062Dec 13, 2004Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004Transmission and drivetrain. General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
- 10011162Aug 23, 2004Engine cooling. Engine misfire or running - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - wds cop kit diagnostic tips. To include various 2005 models. * ar this article 04161 supersedes tsb 03-14-04.
- 10011159Aug 9, 2004Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10013060Oct 14, 2002Equipment. Climate control a/c service tech tips.
Other model years of the Lincoln Continental
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 7 | 5,000 | 2 | 5 | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 33 | 27,000 | 3 | 5 | 21 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2018 | 21 | 78,500 | 2 | 5 | 21 | — | Rising |
| 2017 | 75 | 50,000 | 4 | 5 | 21 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2002 | 33 | 60,500 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 32 | 75,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 63 | 86,500 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 42 | 90,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 72 | 100,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 96 | 59,075 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 48 | 96,683 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 70 | 102,073 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 190 | 87,456 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 121 | 74,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 126 | 101,050 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 203 | 120,226 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 158 | 58,500 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 158 | 133,500 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 84 | — | 9 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 9 | — | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 8 | 90,000 | 5 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 15 | — | 2 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 6 | — | 2 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
All Lincoln Continental model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Lincoln Continental have?
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2002 Lincoln Continental as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Lincoln Continental is reported most often?
Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 6 complaints (18% of the total), followed by brakes with 5.
Has the 2002 Lincoln Continental been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Lincoln Continental get?
The EPA rates the 2002 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 2002 Lincoln Continental reported?
Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,500 miles and the middle half falls between 33,300 and 93,000 miles; 39% 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.