2017 Lincoln Continental Safety Report

The 2017 Lincoln Continental presents a mixed safety picture. While it achieved excellent crash test ratings from NHTSA, scoring 5 stars overall, 5 stars for frontal and side impacts, and 4 stars for rollover, its recall history and complaint data reveal significant issues, particularly with door latches and the rearview camera. There are 69 total complaints, with 1 crash and 1 injury reported. A major concern is the high number of complaints related to 'LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES' (14 complaints, 20.3% of total) and 'BACK OVER PREVENTION' (10 complaints, 14.5% of total), which directly correlate with two of the four recalls issued for this vehicle. The door latch recall (19V077000) addresses a critical safety risk where doors may open while driving, and numerous complaints describe doors failing to open or close, even after recall repairs or for VINs not included in the recall. The rearview camera recall (20V778000) also highlights a safety defect that could increase crash risk. Common complaint patterns revolve heavily around the electronic door latch system. Multiple owners report doors failing to open from the outside, or in some cases, not latching properly, creating a severe safety hazard. Several complaints explicitly mention the driver's side door not latching or other doors not opening, with some owners incurring significant repair costs outside of warranty. The 'BACK OVER PREVENTION' complaints are primarily related to the rearview camera displaying foggy or distorted images, aligning with the recall for degradation of the camera system. Other notable complaint areas include 'STRUCTURE' (8 complaints) and 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM' (6 complaints), though these are less specific in their patterns. The vehicle has been subject to four recalls. Beyond the door latch and rearview camera issues, there was a recall for the driver's frontal airbag (17V024000) which might not fully inflate, increasing injury risk in a crash, and a recall for exterior lighting (16V710000) concerning reduced turn signal visibility. Despite the strong crash test performance, the recurring and critical nature of the door latch failures, even post-recall, and the rearview camera issues, suggest that owners should be vigilant about these specific components. The overall safety is compromised by these functional defects, despite the vehicle's structural integrity in crash scenarios.

Our recommendation: Given the excellent crash ratings but persistent, critical issues with electronic door latches and the rearview camera, potential buyers should thoroughly inspect these systems and verify all recall repairs have been completed, budgeting for potential future repairs on these components.