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Lincoln ContinentalModel year report

2017 Lincoln Continental Problems

Complaints
75filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
50,000miles, 39 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns 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
5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 2.7L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Lincoln Continental (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the electronic door latches: doors that will not open from the outside, doors that will not latch shut, or doors that open on their own, in some cases after recall 19V077000 was already performed. Rearview camera images that turn cloudy or foggy are the second recurring theme, and a smaller group of complaints covers interior trim and body concerns such as peeling paint and a knock or rattle from underneath. Reports span a wide mileage range, from cars barely off the lot to ones past 100,000 miles.

  1. Latches, locks and linkages

    Doors will not open or latch (electronic door latches)

    • 44 complaints (59%)
    • median 55,740 mi at 3.6 yrs old (21 state mileage)
    • filed 2017–2026

    Owners describe doors, most often the rear ones, that stop responding to the exterior handle or button and can only be opened from inside, or not at all. Others report the opposite problem: a door that will not latch closed, or that pops open while parked or while driving, with a door-ajar warning on the dash. Complaints describe repeat failures on multiple doors, sometimes after the 19V077000 latch recall work was already done, and dealers quoted four-figure repairs that owners say were not covered. Reported from under 12,000 miles up to about 156,000 miles, with many complaints in the 20,000 to 90,000 mile range.

    Recall 19V077000

    What to check: Open and close every door several times, from both outside and inside, and ask for paperwork showing whether the 19V077000 latch recall was done and when. Note any intermittent handles, door-ajar messages, or doors that need more than one try to latch.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “At 49000 miles the left rear door would not open from the outside for a week. It then worked ok until 50500. We told the dealership and they said it was out of warranty. At 51000 miles now both rear doors will not work from the outside. If I am in a wreck there is no way to get anyone out of the rear of this car. I have purchased a hammer to get people out in an emergency. It seems a car rear door button should last longer than a year or two.”

    NHTSA complaint #11183786, filed 2019-03, 50,000 miles

    “Doors open while driving , happened 4 times in the last month . Back right door and drivers door 2 occasions on both doors . On line it says all Lincoln Continentals from 2017 2018 and 2019 were recalled and there telling me mine is not on the recall . This is a very dangerous situation this is my wives car and she does not like driving it anymore .”

    NHTSA complaint #11727962, filed 2026-03
  2. Back-over prevention (rear camera)

    Rearview camera image cloudy or foggy

    • 10 complaints (13%)
    • median 25,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2022–2024

    Complaints describe the backup camera display looking hazy, cloudy or distorted while reversing, making it hard to see behind the car. Many owners reference recall 22V644000 for the camera lens coating and report that parts were unavailable for a long time or that their vehicle was not included. Some mention a similar customer satisfaction program for front and side cameras that the dealer declined to perform after failing to duplicate the foggy image. Usually reported between roughly 10,000 and 72,000 miles.

    Recall 22V6440001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Put the car in reverse in daylight and look at the screen for haze or blur, and ask whether the 22V644000 camera recall has been completed on this vehicle.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “2017 Lincoln Continental. Consumer writes in regard to NHTSA safety recall 22v-644. The consumer contacted the dealer on three occassions and informed the parts werent available to repair the recall.”

    NHTSA complaint #11516879, filed 2023-04

    “The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera was fuzzy and distorted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 70,000.”

    NHTSA complaint #11511717, filed 2023-03, 70,000 miles

Buying note. Prioritize a car whose door latch recall work is documented and whose doors all open, close and latch reliably, since latch repairs are a frequent and costly complaint. Also verify the backup camera image is clear and check for paint bubbling, brake fluid condition and any rattle from underneath during a test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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 75 consumer complaints for the 2017 Lincoln Continental. 39 of the complaints include a mileage, and 49% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 195 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). 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: Air bags (2), Electronic stability control (1), Engine cooling (1), Forward collision avoidance (1), Suspension (1).

Example complaints

Body and structure: “Driver's door does not electronically close fully when it is pulled shut, and a message on the instrument panel indicates that the door is not closed. It requires several attempts to ensure that the door remains fully closed and locked.”

NHTSA complaint #11194382, filed 2019-04, 22,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Takata recall , on april 25, I was traveling to atlanta, ga from virginia to attend a conference and stopped to get gas and my driver's door locked me inside the car. I had to use the latch to release the lock. I have contacted dealership about the issue and I have not received any remedy to this issue. My vehicle will not let me set the cruise control on the highway, the wrench light stays lit and I'm worried about what else maybe wrong. I'm afraid to drive my car that I'm paying payments on. It has been almost 5 months and still no remedy.”

NHTSA complaint #11253095, filed 2019-09, 28,000 miles

Latches, locks and linkages: “The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Continental. The contact was unable to open the rear doors after several attempts. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V077000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11717009, filed 2026-02, 95,000 miles

Electrical system: “Rear passenger door will not open. Lincoln has active recalls on other VINs but mine is not included. I ask that mine be included. My door will occasionally pop open, but the most common problem is the handle will not engage from the outside. My Lincoln has the door handle on the trim piece. This is a common recall but my car is not included. It needs to be as not being able to open a door or it randomly opening poses threat or harm to myself and my family.”

NHTSA complaint #11654915, filed 2025-04

Mileage when problems were reported

49% of the 39 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 23,000 and 76,000 miles.

10%0–1021%10–2518%25–5023%50–7513%75–1008%100–1508%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (39 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 50,000 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.

2018202020222024202613
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.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2017 Lincoln Continental. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Continental · sedan AWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 10.6% risk
Continental · sedan RWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 10.6% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2017 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2018: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2017 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 AWD2.7L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172520$3,350
Continental AWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automatic162419$3,550
Continental AWD3.7L 6-cyl6-speed automatic162419$3,550
Continental FWD2.7L 6-cyl6-speed automatic182721$3,200
Continental FWD3.7L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172620$3,350

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 2017 Lincoln Continental → · Check a 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. 195 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 195 bulletins →

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 2017 Lincoln Continental?

Owners of this model year most often write about the electronic door latches: doors that will not open from the outside, doors that will not latch shut, or doors that open on their own, in some cases after recall 19V077000 was already performed. The issues reported most often: Doors will not open or latch (electronic door latches); Rearview camera image cloudy or foggy.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 Lincoln Continental have?

NHTSA recorded 75 consumer complaints for the 2017 Lincoln Continental as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2017 Lincoln Continental is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 20 complaints (27% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 16.

Has the 2017 Lincoln Continental been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2017 Lincoln Continental do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2017 Lincoln Continental 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2017 Lincoln Continental get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Lincoln Continental (Continental FWD, 2.7L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Lincoln Continental reported?

Among the 39 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,000 miles and the middle half falls between 23,000 and 76,000 miles; 49% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.