Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln Continental vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Lincoln Continental and Chevrolet Silverado compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Lincoln Continental vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Continental averages about 38 complaints per year with 18 recalls, while the Silverado averages about 823 complaints per year with 101 recalls. Silverado reports more engine, powertrain, and brake failures; Continental reports more electrical and latch issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln Continental or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lincoln Continental
The Lincoln Continental is a low-volume luxury sedan, averaging about 38 complaints per year over seven years. Owners most often report electrical glitches, door latch faults, and structural cracks near the door check strap. Recalls cover backup cameras, door latches, and software, so living with one means staying on top of open recall repairs.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a high-volume full-size truck, averaging about 823 complaints per year over ten years. The dominant themes are engine and powertrain failures, electrical shutdowns, and brake problems, with many reports describing sudden loss of power or braking. Recalls span fuel pumps, tires, and driver-assist warnings, so a used Silverado needs a thorough recall and service history check.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln Continental | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 267 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 18 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 14 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 38.1 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 12 Better | 160 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 3 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Lincoln Continental
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM41
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER37
- 03LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES32
- 04STRUCTURE30
- 05SUSPENSION26
Owners report random electrical faults: approach lights not coming on, instrument cluster presets deprogramming, mirrors folding when programmed not to, and a trunk lid that independently closed on a person's head. These glitches can be annoying and sometimes dangerous, so check every electronic feature during a test drive.
Complaints describe a 'Driver Door Fault' message that disables Auto Hold and Cruise Control, and some vehicles had a prior recall for door latch replacement. A faulty latch can leave a door unsecured or trap an occupant, so confirm the recall remedy was done.
Owners report metal near the front driver's side door check strap splitting, which can affect door operation and crash protection. This is a body-integrity concern, so inspect the door jamb area for cracks or repairs.
Suspension complaints appear among the top five components, though sample text is limited. Any clunks, uneven tire wear, or ride harshness on a test drive should be checked by a mechanic.
“TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2020 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPENING THE TRUNK FROM THE DASHBOARD AND UNLOADING GROCERIES FROM THE TRUNK, THE TRUNK LID INDEPENDENTLY CLOSED STICKING HIS HEAD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS NO CHIME A…”
“RANDOM PROBLEMS WITH MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL AREAS; APPROACH LIGHTS NOT COMING ON, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DEPROGRAMING PRESETS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, OUTSIDE MIRRORS FOLDING WHEN PROGRAMMED NOT TO DO SO, INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR MARKEDLY CHANGING POSITION, HUD MALFUNCTIO…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report severe engine issues, including a 6.2L motor that failed shortly after purchase and a 6.6L Duramax diesel with repeated diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events requiring dealer service. These can mean costly repairs and sudden breakdowns, so ask for complete engine service records.
Complaints describe a truck that suddenly went into neutral and lost power while driving slowly uphill, and another that shut off entirely. A powertrain that disengages or stalls can leave you stranded or in a dangerous spot, so test low-speed and uphill driving.
Owners report sudden loss of normal braking with a firm pedal, and engines shutting off while driving with 'Return to Neutral' and 'Press Start' messages. These electrical faults can disable critical systems, so have a mechanic scan for stored codes and check battery/ground connections.
Complaints include a severe loss of braking effectiveness and a truck that completely shut off with blank screens and no acceleration in a parking lot. Brake and shutdown failures are immediate safety risks, so inspect brake function and ask about any related repairs.
“I purchased the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado with a 6.2L motor "new" from the dealer with 5700 miles on XXX. Roughly a month and 2500 miles later, my family and I were in the vehicle, 750 miles from home, returning from a vacation to [XXX] from the [XXX]/[XXX] ar…”
“My 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with the 6.6L Duramax diesel has experienced three separate P2463 Diesel Particulate Filter excessive soot accumulation events at approximately 4,300, 5,500, and 10,280 miles. Each event required a Chevrolet dealer to perform…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Lincoln Continental — 18 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2020 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental vehicles equipped with the 360-degree camera system. Degradation of the camera's anit-reflective lens coating can lead to a foggy or cloudy rearview camera image.
The risk: Lack of a clear rearview camera image can reduce the driver's visibility of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S51.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2…
The risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations ca…
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Lincoln Continental vehicles. The door latch pawl motors may not function properly, possibly resulting in a door latch not fully engaging.
The risk: A door latch that is not fully engaged may result in a door opening while driving, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the latch assemblies on all four doors, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2020 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental vehicles equipped with the 360-degree camera system. Degradation of the camera's anit-reflective lens coating can lead to a foggy or cloudy rearview camera image.
The risk: Lack of a clear rearview camera image can reduce the driver's visibility of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S51.
Chevrolet Silverado — 101 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles may not have received an owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, “Child Re…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will provide the owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252532020. Vehicle Identifi…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 vehicles with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks (RPOs L8T and N2N). The rear fuel pump may not transfer adequate fuel to the front tank, causing an engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: The vehicle's engine control module (ECM) will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782…
The defect: General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Cou…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-970…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with the enhanced towing option and 20-inch accessory tire/wheel package. The tire information label may state the incorrect rear tire pressure, resulting in underinflated tires an…
The risk: Driving with underinflated tires can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, update the engine control module (ECM) software, apply a tire label overlay, inflate tires to the correct pressure, and perform a tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) re-learn process as necessary, free of charge. Owne…
Buyer analysis
Lincoln Continental or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Lincoln Continental has far fewer complaints per year (about 38 vs. 823 for the Silverado), but both have serious reported issues. The Silverado's much higher volume and complaint rate mean a used buyer is more likely to encounter engine, powertrain, or brake problems. The Continental's lower rate suggests fewer overall problems, but electrical and latch faults still require attention.
Key differences
- The Silverado averages about 823 complaints per year versus about 38 for the Continental, a roughly 20-fold difference in reported problem frequency.
- Silverado complaints center on engine and powertrain failures that can cause sudden power loss, while Continental complaints focus on electrical glitches and door latch faults.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls and 3 deaths reported, while the Continental has 18 recalls and 0 deaths, though recall counts alone do not prove safety.
- Continental owners report structural cracks near the door check strap, a body issue not seen in the Silverado sample.
- Check for a 'Driver Door Fault' message and confirm the door latch recall (19V077000) was completed on all four doors.
- Inspect the front driver's side door jamb and check strap area for metal splitting or cracks.
- Look for any history of engine replacement or diesel particulate filter service, especially on 6.2L and 6.6L Duramax models.
- Test for sudden loss of braking, engine shutdown, or 'Return to Neutral' messages during a thorough test drive.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to check for open recalls on the specific vehicle.
- Ask for complete service records, focusing on engine, transmission, brake, and electrical repairs.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, including a scan for stored trouble codes.
- During the test drive, test all electronics, door latches, brakes, and low-speed acceleration.
- For the Silverado, specifically ask about any diesel particulate filter or fuel pump issues.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Lincoln Continental | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 7 | 868 |
| 2019 | 31 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 20 | 597 |
| 2017 | 75 | 1154 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Lincoln Continental or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln Continental vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Lincoln Continental total complaints
- 267
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Lincoln Continental total recalls
- 18
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Lincoln Continental avg complaints/year
- 38.1
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln Continental
- Lincoln Continental top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE