This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns Phone connection issues Dropped phone connections Applink related performance Travel Link not present or showing incorrect traffic Slow system response NOTE: Ford has found some of the APIMs replaced and returned for inspection contained an outdated software level and the APIM did not require replacement. The customer concern may have been resolved by updating the APIM with latest level of softwar
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Lincoln Continental electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Lincoln Continental have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 Continental | 13 |
| 2018 Continental (this page) | 4 |
| 2019 Continental | 5 |
When does it fail?
Of the 4 electrical complaints filed for the 2018 Lincoln Continental, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners are still filing on this — the most recent NHTSA electrical complaint for this vehicle was logged 30 days ago.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2017-2022 Ford/Lincoln customers may experience a notification in the FordPassÃÂÃÂÃÂî/LincolnWayÃÂÃÂÃÂî app indicating Vehicle Has Entered Deep Sleep Mode. This occurs when the vehicle has not been started for 14 consecutive days, battery voltage is at/below 9.5 volts or the body control module (BCM) 12 volt battery state of charge (SOC) drops below 50%. A warning may also set if the telematic control unit (TCU) has received an over the air update. The TCU powers down all communication when in this mode and app features are disabled. Manually start the vehicle to wake if from mode. More information is located in the app under: Account > Help > search 'Deep Sleep' in th
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2017-2022 Ford and Lincoln vehicle owners may experience a condition of missing authorization, command and control, battery charging details or phone-as-a-key setup buttons/selections in their FordPass or LincolnWay App. This condition is due to an error within the FordPass or LincolnWay App and not due to a concern on the vehicle. Verify that the customers FordPass or LincolnWay App is at the latest version. Replacement or reprogramming of the telematics control unit (TCU)/gateway module (GWM)/remote function actuator (RFA) will not resolve this condition. If the condition persists, utilize the FordPass Guides or Lincoln Way Concierge teams.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2023 Ford or Lincoln vehicles with modems activated through FordPass or LincolnWay may experience 12 volt battery drain symptoms when the customer uses non-Ford/Lincoln phone applications as an alternate channel to access vehicle commands such as door lock/unlock, remote start, vehicle location, etc. The battery drain may be caused by excessive calls for data through the vehicle network keeping it in an activated state. Recommend that the customer uninstall the app to ensure this is not contributing to battery symptoms experienced. Advise the customer that unaffiliated third-party app developers do not work directly with Ford to adhere to security, vehicle communication, and privac
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the battery charge drained unexpectedly. The headlights and warning lights were flashing on and off with the horn honking unintendedly. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made…
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 malfunctioning. Lincoln tells me that I am not driving it enough and the battery is going down. That then makes the computer to malfunction. The…
Instrument cluster deprograms itself, interior lighting stopped working, folding exterior mirrors fold themselves without command to do so,rear view mirror changes it setting without command, hud flashes multicolor lights onto windshield viewing area, approach lighting stopped working. Sync3 was programmed to display map on startup but recently came up with different setup. All occurred while…
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 attention. Driver side door handle and other door handles known to be unresponsive when locking/unlocking with keys or pressing button behind door handle.
Had electrical trouble with your 2018 Lincoln Continental?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2018 Lincoln Continental?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 34,250 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Lincoln/Continental.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.