Model year guide

2002 Lincoln Continental

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Lincoln Continental is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 14 on record.

2002 Lincoln Continental — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2002 Lincoln Continental at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints33
Combined18 mpg
Typical price$2,914

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2002 Lincoln Continental recalls 1

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:pads NHTSA Campaign #16E026000 · 01/04/2016

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are inten…

Fix: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2002 Lincoln Continental common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

2002 Lincoln Continental MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,550
EPA size classLarge Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume101 cu ft
Cargo volume19 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$10,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

What's a 2002 Lincoln Continental worth?

Low
$1,600
Typical price
$2,914
High
$4,500

From 12 comparable 2002 Lincoln Continental listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 Lincoln Continental costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,750
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,450
Total$24,200
Per mile$0.32

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($2,914) with the same model 4 model-years older ($1,770), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
208.7 in
Width
73.6 in
Height
55.9 in
Wheelbase
109.1 in
Curb weight
3,847 lb
Front track
63.0 in
Rear track
61.4 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2002 Lincoln Continental. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 38

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 38.

WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT

Bulletin 041601 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2005

SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT

Bulletin 042421 · Seat Belts · Jun 2005

AM FM AND CELLULAR PHONE RECEPTION INTERFERENCE . *EH

Bulletin 18426 · Equipment · Feb 2005

AM/FM AND CELLULAR PHONE RECEPTION INTERFERENCE - SERVICE TIP. *TT

Bulletin 18383 · Electrical System · Jan 2005

REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT

Bulletin 04189 · Visibility · Dec 2004

GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT

Bulletin 042107 · Power Train · Dec 2004

GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT

Bulletin 04217 · Power Train · Nov 2004

ENGINE MISFIRE OR RUNNING - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIPS. TO INCLUDE VARIOUS 2005 MODELS. * AR THIS ARTICLE 04161 SUPERSEDES TSB 03-14-04.

Bulletin 031404 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2004

REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT

Bulletin 041514 · Visibility · Aug 2004

GROAN/BUZZ/VIBRATION WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR IS IN PARK WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED ON AN INCLINE. *TT THIS BULLETIN UPDATES PREVIOUS BULLETIN 17358, DATED 11/01/2003 TO INCLUDE 2005 MODELS. *TT

Bulletin 17358 · Power Train · Aug 2004

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CONTINENTAL. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Lincoln Continental

The Lincoln Continental is a series of mid-sized and full-sized luxury cars produced between 1939 and 2020 by Lincoln, a division of the American automaker Ford. The model line was introduced following the construction of a personal vehicle for Edsel Ford, who commissioned a coachbuilt 1939 Lincoln-Zephyr convertible, developed as a vacation vehicle to attract potential Lincoln buyers. In what would give the model line its name, the exterior was designed with European "continental" styling elements, including a rear-mounted spare tire.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2002 Lincoln Continental trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl 275 hp

2002 Lincoln Continental vehicles on record

Other Lincoln Continental model years

2002 Lincoln Continental — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Lincoln Continental have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2002 Lincoln Continental. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Lincoln Continental?

Across all 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are vehicle speed control, suspension, equipment.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Lincoln Continental get?

The 2002 Lincoln Continental has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (15 city / 23 highway).

How much is a 2002 Lincoln Continental worth?

Comparable 2002 Lincoln Continental listings run roughly $1,600–$4,500, typically around $2,914 (from 12 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.