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2018 Lincoln Continental
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
18 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 21, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#35 of 468Among the 2018 models with a matured record, the 2018 Lincoln Continental ranks #35, scoring higher than 92% of them. See the 2018 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2018 Lincoln Continental 4 DR AWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 11%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2018 Lincoln Continental, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Latches & locks (5)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Latches & locks
28%5 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front driver's door latch failed to latch as intended. The vehic…”
Electrical system
22%4 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“Vehicle door handles are prone to failure and unresponsive for the lock/unlock. Potential safety concern for customers like myself which should be brought to Lincoln’s…”
Backup camera & sensors
22%4 complaints
“The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Continental. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V644000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the r…”
Tires
6%1 complaints
“When rotating tires 12/22/2023, upon removal of the right front tire, it was discovered that the inner sidewall had split open about midway between the tread and the w…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Read all 18 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 1 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Back Over Prevention · 22V644000
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.
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.
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.
Latches/locks/linkages · 19V077000
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.
Risk: A door latch that is not fully engaged may result in a door opening while driving, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Lincoln before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2018 Lincoln Continental. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report latches & locks problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any latches & locks symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2018 Lincoln CONTINENTAL beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2018? See how every Continental model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2018 Lincoln Continental against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.