LincolnContinental2020Overview/lincoln/continental/2020/base/

2020 Lincoln Continental

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Continental.

The 2020 Lincoln Continental, as captured in its official overview, is defined by an engine that requires six quarts of 5W‑30 oil, a specification that underscores its mechanical profile. In the broader context of its model line, which spans 1990 through 2020, the 2020 iteration records only seven owner complaints — the lowest tally in the series — and carries two recorded recalls, reflecting a marked improvement over earlier years that saw hundreds of complaints. This data point situates the 2020 model at the bottom of its complaint history, indicating a mature reliability record relative to its decades‑long lineage.

Model year202020192018201720022001200019991998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque162.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI NS · 610 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI NS · 610 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size235/50R18 97WOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Cabin air filterDG9Z19N619D

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length201.6 in
Overall width75.2 in
Overall height58.7 in
Wheelbase117.7 in
Curb weight4224 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Continental of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.0–5.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.00 sec — 2017 Reserve Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017Reserve Sedan 3.0L Twin-Turbo V65.00 sec13.50 sec400 hpAWD
2017Black Label Sedan 3.0L Twin-Turbo V65.30 sec13.80 sec400 hpAWD
2017Reserve Sedan 3.0L Twin-Turbo V65.40 sec13.80 sec400 hpAWD
2017Reserve Sedan 3.0L Twin-Turbo V65.40 sec13.70 sec400 hpAWD
2017Black Label Sedan 3.0L Twin-Turbo V65.50 sec14.00 sec400 hpAWD
2017Black Label Sedan 3.0L Twin-Turbo V65.90 sec14.20 sec400 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, SAE 80W in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 162.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidMERCON® LV Automatic Transmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.0
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilSAE 80W
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.0 qt
Differential Gear OilSAE 75W · Synthetic
Differential Gear Oil CapacitySAE 75W-85 Premium Synthetic Hypoid Gear Lubricant
Differential Gear OilSAE 80W

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs12.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs12.5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Differential Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Differential Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Driveshaft Flange to Transmission26.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts162.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts111.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug14.75 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Type12405
Spark Plug Gap0.028–0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Type12405
Spark Plug Gap0.028–0.031 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeYN-12-D
Oil Capacity5.24 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum46.4–79.8 Engine running psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum46.4–79.8 Engine running psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum50.8–65.3 Engine running psi
Engine Oil Pressure21
Engine Oil Pressure RPMReading 1 value plus 8 psi
Engine Oil Pressure21
Engine Oil Pressure RPMReading 1 value plus 8 psi
Engine Oil Pressure30.0 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 41.0; Rear: 28.0
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 111.0; Rear: 66.0
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.6; Rear: 6.6
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 41.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 21.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 111.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 66.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.201; Rear: 0.374

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
16.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 45°6 ft. lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 360° Step 3: 37.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 90°30 ft. lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 360° Step 3: 37.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 90°30 ft. lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 360° Step 3: 18.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 180°30 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 180° Step 3: 24.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 90°24 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.75 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 2 turns Step 3: 37.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 90°14.75 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
117.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 32.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 90°17 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Center Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1166.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 360° Step 3: 26.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 270°166 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Center Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1166.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 360° Step 3: 26.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 270°166 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Center Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 360° Step 3: 37.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 90°89 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1166.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: -360°, Step 3: 26.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 270°166 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.75 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 2 turns Step 3: 37.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 180°14.75 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.75 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 2 turns Step 3: 37.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 180°14.75 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.75 ft. lbs. Step 2: 26.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 90° Step 4: 90° Step 5: 45°14.75 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-814.8 ft. lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
16.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 13.26 ft. lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
16.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 13.26 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18.018 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 360° Step 3: 26.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 180°30 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 360° Step 3: 26.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 180°30 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.5 ft. lbs. Step 2: 7.42.5 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.5 ft. lbs. Step 2: 7.42.5 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
145.0°
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°7.4 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 40,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2020 Lincoln Continental marks the lowest point in a steep downward federal complaint trajectory across the 2017–2020 model range, recording just seven complaints compared to 31 in 2019 and 74 in 2017, while holding steady at two recalls versus four in the launch year. Technical Service Bulletins similarly declined from a high of 195 in 2017 to only 68 in 2020, and investigations remained at zero throughout this entire generation, indicating stable regulatory standing. The 2020 data registers zero crash complaints and zero fire complaints, with its limited complaint volume spread across “Unknown Or Other,” “Back Over Prevention,” “Latches/Locks/Linkages,” and “Service Brakes” without specified root causes in the federal record. Positioned at the mature end of this generation’s lifecycle with minimal documented field issues and the lowest TSB count of the range, the 2020 model year represents a strong candidate for used-car purchase.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
68
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
7
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 7 complaints on record, top 5 components.

Unknown Or Other2
Back Over Prevention2
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Service Brakes1
Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V644000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 26/08/2022

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… Remedy: 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…

25V442000Back Over Prevention:SoftwareReported 27/06/2025

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 68 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25E08-S12026-06-30Power TrainPowertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogramming
25E08 S12026-04-14Power TrainNEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 25E08 – Supplement #1 Certain 2016 – 2019…
25N172026-03-25Unknown Or OtherAdvance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year…
SSM 545892026-02-17Electrical SystemSome 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various…
25E082025-12-12Power TrainCertain 2017 - 2020 Model Year Lincoln Continental Vehicles with 3.7L Engines Powertrain…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Continental. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2020 Continental take?

6.0 qt of SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil, per the factory manual.

Does the 2020 Continental have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.