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 complaints per year with 18 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,131 complaints per year with 145 recalls. The F-150 has 287 injuries and 1 death reported, versus 12 injuries and 0 deaths for the Continental. 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, but the pattern shows recurring electrical gremlins and door latch problems. Owners report issues like the trunk closing on its own, instrument cluster presets resetting, and doors not latching fully in cold weather. There are also structural concerns like metal splitting near the door check strap. While the overall volume is low, these problems can be annoying and potentially dangerous.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint rate of about 1,131 per year over ten years, reflecting its huge popularity and widespread use. The most common issues involve the transmission, with reports of hard shifts, delayed engagement, and even sudden loss of power. Electrical problems like camera malfunctions and battery cable issues are also frequent. With 145 recalls and one death reported, the F-150 demands more attention to maintenance and recall repairs.
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 | 266 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 18 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 14 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 38.0 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 12 Better | 287 |
| 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/LINKAGES31
- 04STRUCTURE30
- 05SUSPENSION26
Owners report random electrical glitches such as approach lights not coming on, instrument cluster presets deprogramming, and the trunk lid closing independently, which can cause injury. These issues can be unpredictable and frustrating, requiring dealer visits for diagnosis.
The electric door latches may fail to fully latch, especially in cold weather, forcing owners to slam the door. A recall (19V077000) addressed this, but some owners report the problem persists even after the remedy.
Some owners found metal splitting near the front driver's side door check strap, which can worsen over time and affect door operation. This may indicate a structural weakness that could compromise safety in a crash.
While not detailed in the sample complaints, suspension complaints appear among the top components, suggesting owners may experience ride or handling issues. Buyers should have the suspension inspected for unusual noises or uneven tire wear.
“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 TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10R80 automatic transmission is a frequent source of complaints, with owners reporting hard shifts, jerking, clunking, and even sudden loss of power while driving. These failures can be dangerous and may require costly repairs.
Owners report warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' appearing regularly, along with other electrical glitches. These can disable safety features and are often difficult to resolve.
Exterior lighting complaints are common, though specific details are not in the sample. Issues may include headlight failures or malfunctions, which can affect visibility and safety.
Engine-related complaints are among the top categories, though the sample does not specify symptoms. Buyers should check for rough idling, loss of power, or check engine lights, as these could indicate costly problems.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
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 2017-2019 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.
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.
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
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 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
Lincoln Continental or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Lincoln Continental has far fewer complaints per year (38 vs. 1,131), but both have notable issues. The F-150's higher volume means more potential problems, especially with the transmission, while the Continental's issues are less frequent but still concerning. In practice, the Continental may be easier to live with day-to-day, but the F-150's issues can be more severe and costly.
Key differences
- The F-150 has a much higher complaint rate (1,131 per year) compared to the Continental (38 per year), but this is partly due to far more F-150s on the road.
- Transmission problems dominate F-150 complaints, with reports of hard shifts and sudden power loss, while the Continental's top issues are electrical and door latch related.
- The Continental has 18 recalls and no deaths reported, while the F-150 has 145 recalls and one death, indicating a higher safety risk profile.
- Both vehicles have electrical issues, but the F-150's are more often tied to safety systems like cameras and pre-collision assist, whereas the Continental's are more about convenience features.
- Test the door latches in cold weather if possible; ensure they fully latch without slamming, and check for any recall work done.
- Inspect the trunk operation and electrical features like approach lights and instrument cluster presets for proper function.
- Test drive the truck extensively, especially at highway speeds, to feel for hard shifts or hesitation in the transmission.
- Check for any warning messages related to the front camera or pre-collision assist, and ensure all recalls are completed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and verify that all open recalls have been remedied.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on the transmission for the F-150 and electrical/door latches for the Continental.
- During the test drive, pay attention to transmission shifting (F-150) and any electrical glitches or door latching issues (Continental).
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes on the F-150 and any electrical repairs on the Continental.
- Check the NHTSA website for any additional complaints or recalls specific to the VIN.
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 | 33 |
| 2019 | 31 | 36 |
| 2018 | 19 | 56 |
| 2017 | 75 | 43 |
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
- 266
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Lincoln Continental total recalls
- 18
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Lincoln Continental avg complaints/year
- 38.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln Continental
- Lincoln Continental top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN