Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln Continental vs FORD F 150
How the Lincoln Continental and FORD F 150 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 FORD F 150: The Continental averages 38.1 complaints per year with 18 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 has more power train and electrical issues, while the Continental has more electrical and latch problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln Continental or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lincoln Continental
The Lincoln Continental is a luxury sedan with a relatively low complaint rate of about 38 per year over seven years. Owners report electrical gremlins like the trunk closing on its own and instrument cluster glitches, plus door latch and structural issues. With 18 recalls and 12 injuries but no deaths, it's a car that demands attention to electrical and latch systems.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint rate of about 1,162 per year over ten years. Power train problems, especially transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, dominate owner reports. With 151 recalls, 330 crash-related complaints, and 297 injuries, it's a truck that requires diligent maintenance and recall checks.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln Continental | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 267 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 18 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 14 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 38.1 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 12 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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 issues such as approach lights not coming on, instrument cluster presets deprogramming, and the trunk lid closing independently, which can cause injury. These glitches can be frustrating and potentially dangerous if they affect visibility or driver attention.
Complaints include door fault messages that disable features like Auto Hold and Cruise Control, and door latch failures that may prevent doors from securing properly. A recall (19V077000) addressed latch assemblies, but some owners report issues even after the fix.
Some owners found metal splitting near the door check strap, which can affect door operation and structural integrity. This is a concern for long-term durability and safety in a collision.
Reports include a 'Park Brake Limited Function' message requiring the vehicle to be stopped and the parking brake released, and cabin air filter replacement difficulties. These issues can lead to unexpected downtime and inconvenience.
“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…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. These issues can be dangerous, especially at highway speeds, and may require costly repairs.
Electrical complaints often involve the same lead frame issue, as well as output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. These problems can strand drivers and are often linked to safety recalls.
Some owners report rear window defroster shorts causing the back window to shatter unexpectedly. This is a serious safety hazard that can occur without warning.
While not detailed in the sample complaints, exterior lighting is a top complaint category, suggesting issues with headlights, taillights, or other lighting components that can affect visibility and safety.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
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.
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Lincoln Continental or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Lincoln Continental has far fewer complaints per year (38.1) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,162.1), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. In practice, this means a Continental owner may experience fewer trips to the mechanic, but the F-150's issues are more often related to critical systems like power train and electrical, which can be more severe.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has a much higher complaint rate (1,162 per year) than the Lincoln Continental (38 per year), but the F-150's issues often involve power train and electrical failures that can cause limp mode or loss of power.
- The Lincoln Continental's top complaints are electrical, latch, and structural issues, such as trunk closing on its own and door latch faults, which are less likely to leave you stranded but can be annoying and potentially unsafe.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 18 for the Continental, indicating a broader range of safety-related defects over its production run.
- Both vehicles have crash-related complaints and injuries, but the F-150 has one death reported, while the Continental has none, though this does not guarantee safety outcomes.
- Check for door latch operation and any 'Driver Door Fault' messages; ensure all doors open and close properly and that features like Auto Hold and Cruise Control function.
- Inspect the trunk for independent closing and test all electrical functions, including approach lights, instrument cluster presets, and interior lights, for random glitches.
- Test drive the truck extensively, especially at highway speeds, to check for transmission shudder, limp mode, or getting stuck in gear; scan for stored codes like P0722.
- Inspect the rear window for any signs of defroster damage or shattering, and verify that all electrical systems, including lights and sensors, work correctly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup tool.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on the known problem areas: electrical and latches for the Continental, power train and electrical for the F-150.
- For the Continental, test all electrical components, including the trunk, lights, and instrument cluster, and check for structural cracks near door hinges.
- For the F-150, scan for transmission codes, test drive in various conditions, and check for any signs of rear window defroster issues.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission services on the F-150 and any electrical repairs on the Continental.
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 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 7 | 44 |
| 2019 | 31 | 52 |
| 2018 | 20 | 79 |
| 2017 | 75 | 59 |
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 FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln Continental vs FORD F 150
- Lincoln Continental total complaints
- 267
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Lincoln Continental total recalls
- 18
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Lincoln Continental avg complaints/year
- 38.1
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln Continental
- Lincoln Continental top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN