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2021 Bentley Continental

Gas
Subcompact Cars
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
70 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns4
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA3
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA19 mpg
202620252024202320222021202020172016

The 2021 Bentley Continental is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Continental GT, is EPA-rated at 19 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 3 complaints, most often about the seats.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Continental GTGasAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo162619$4,100
Continental GT ConvertibleGasAWD4.0L 8-cyl turbo162619$4,100
Continental GTGasAWD6.0L 12-cyl turbo122015$5,150
Continental GT ConvertibleGasAWD6.0L 12-cyl turbo121915$5,150

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43414, 42769, 43173, 43172.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Bentley Continental is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (4)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Air Bags

RE23/03 (RC68)
1,610 vehicles
ProblemBentley Motors, Inc. (Bentley) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Continental GTC vehicles. Due to a sharp edge on the air bag deflector bracket, the seat air bags may tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection," and 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."RiskA torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers will inspect the affected front seats and, if necessary, remove the sharp edge on the airbag deflector bracket rivet, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 17, 2023. Owners may contact Bentley customer service at 1-800-77-6923. Bentley's number for this recall is RE23/03(RC68).
NHTSA campaign 23V152000reported Mar 8, 2023Bentley Motors, Inc.
▲high

Seat Belts

RE22/08 (RC34)
25 vehicles
ProblemBentley Motors, Inc. (Bentley) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Continental GT Convertible, Continental GT, and 2021-2022 Flying Spur vehicles. The front seat belt assemblies may have been incorrectly installed, resulting in the front passenger seat missing the automatic locking retractor (ALR). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."RiskA missing ALR on a passenger seat belt may not properly secure a child restraint, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.FixDealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the affected seat belt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Bentley customer service at 1-800-777-6923. Bentley's number for this recall is RE22/08 (RC34).
NHTSA campaign 22V177000reported Mar 23, 2022Bentley Motors, Inc.
▲high

Air Bags

RE21/43 (RC26)
3,777 vehicles
ProblemBentley Motors, Inc. (Bentley) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bentayga, Continental GT, Flying Spur, and Continental GT Convertible vehicles. The owner's manual incorrectly states that the air bag system will not deploy when the "Passenger Airbag On" symbol is illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."RiskThe incorrect information may change how occupants position themselves in relation to the air bags, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.FixBentley will mail new labels to owners. Owners may apply the label themselves or have a dealer apply the label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Bentley customer service at 1-800-777-6923. Bentley's number for this recall is RE21/43 (RC26).
NHTSA campaign 21V975000reported Dec 15, 2021Bentley Motors, Inc.
●moderate

Seats

RE21/26 (RC08)
3,647 vehicles
ProblemBentley Motors, Inc. (Bentley) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Continental GT/GT Convertible vehicles. During some automated front seat movements, the front seat may trap a rear passenger's legs.RiskThe rear passenger may become trapped by the front seat, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers will update the software for the front seats, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact Bentley customer service at 1-800-777-6923. Bentley's number for this recall is RE21/26 (RC08).
NHTSA campaign 21V550000reported Jul 21, 2021Bentley Motors, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
3complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2022: 2 · 2025: 1

Most-cited components

Seats2
Steering1

What owners describe

“On December 2, 2025 I was driving on interstate 26, and warning lights came on, at the same time steering locked up and was I unable to steer. I did manage to slowly leave right lane, about 200 yards, and enter shoulder. I turned off and restarted many times and finally the steering unlocked. In Sept. car was brought t…”Dec 13, 2025 · Steering · NHTSA owner report
“The front seats in this vehicle, when moved to allow back seat access, do not return to the original position. They move totally backward, trapping the person sitting in the back. My friend had to remove her shoes and actually pull her legs out using her hands and arms. Had there been an accident or a fire, this person…”Feb 19, 2022 · Seats · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2021 Bentley Continental GT. The contact stated that an occupant was trapped in the rear seat of the vehicle. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V550000 (Seats) however, the VIN was…”Feb 3, 2022 · Seats · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other Continental model years

C

2026 Bentley Continental

2 recalls · 0 complaints

B

2025 Bentley Continental

1 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2024 Bentley Continental

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2023 Bentley Continental

0 recalls · 2 complaints

B

2022 Bentley Continental

2 recalls · 0 complaints

F

2020 Bentley Continental

5 recalls · 0 complaints

B

2017 Bentley Continental

1 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2016 Bentley Continental

0 recalls · 0 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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