1994 Lincoln Continental

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 190 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 5 times.

Avoid One of the Lincoln Continental years to avoid: 2.6× the complaints of a typical Continental year. Which Lincoln Continental years to avoid →

Most common 1994 Lincoln Continental problems

75 of the 190 complaints (39%) are about the engine.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine48
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline · engine14
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration8
101
Structure › Frame and Members · body and frame7
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes6
400
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission6
003
Suspension › Rear › Springs › Air Suspension System5
000
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner5
000
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine5
000
Suspension › Rear4
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Structure › Frame and Members98V323000
Filed Dec 16, 19982,697,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.

Risk. IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch98V009000
Filed Jan 21, 1998506,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.

Risk. LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.

Vehicle Speed Control97V025000
Filed Feb 26, 1997212,700 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.

Risk. DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan97V019000
Filed Feb 25, 199775,200 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages94V129000
Filed Jul 12, 19942,500 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD RETAINER (HAIRPIN CLIP) MAY BE MISSING OR NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED ON THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAN CAUSE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKE PUSHROD AND LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY.

Risk. LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RETAINER.

All 5 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Jun 2, 201887,456 milesPA

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING INTO WORK ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. TOTAL REBUILD REQUIRED AT 87456 MILES ON CAR, COST $1800.

Engine
Filed Jul 24, 201485,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE SUDDENLY DECREASED AND A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jul 3, 2014147,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, A SUDDEN POPPING NOISE WAS PRESENT ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUB FRAME BOLTS HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

EngineCrash
Filed Dec 26, 2012143,000 milesMA

THE CAR ALWAYS BEEPS OVERHEATS AND LOSES STEERING. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jun 14, 2011179,500 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CRACKED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND MADE THE CONTACT AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V323000 (STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 9, 200554,432 milesTX

CONTINUATION OF PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. RESPONSE FROM LETTER TO PRES. OF FORD ON 3.8L V6 ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WITH 54,436 MILES ON IT: FORD BASICALLY SAID "TOUGH LUCK". DEALER SAYING $1,700 TO $3,000 PLUS TO FIX. MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMS ME THERE IS ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE. THERE ARE SEVERAL PRODUCT AVAILABLE TO FIX THE HEAD GASKET IN THE CAR. ONE HE HAS USED, AND WORKS, IS "STEEL SEAL". COST ABOUT $70 FOR PRODUCT, PLUS A NEW THERMOSTAT, AND NEW COOLANT. I FIGURE WORST CASE AROUND $400 FOR EVERYTHING. IT'S WORTH THE GAMBLE. AS IT IS NOW THE CAR IS JUNK OR THE REPAIR FROM FORD IS MORE THAT THE VALUE OF THE CAR.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 24, 200554,344 milesTX

1) SUDDEN ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE 2) BLOWN HEAD GASKET WITH GRAY/WHITE SMOKE FROM BOTH EXHAUST PIPES 3) NO CORRECTION DONE SO FAR. PARKED CAR AND TRYING TO DETERMINE PROPER STEP TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NM

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 28, 2004223,000 milesVA

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT THE STEERING FAILED. DEALER STATED SUB FRAME CORRODED. RECALL 98V323000 WAS ISSUED FOR THE LOWER CRADLE BOLTS. HOWEVER, A DIFFERENT PART OF THE CRADLE BOLTS FAILED SO THE CONSUMER HAS TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *AK

Unspecified
Filed Aug 11, 200468,000 milesMD

MY 1994 LINCOLN CONITENTAL HAS ONLY 68,000 MILES. THE HEAD GASKET BLEW LAST FRIDAY. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET, FORD KNEW OF THE HEAD GASKET DESIGN DEFECT IN 1988 YET CONTINUED TO EMPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE ENGINE IN THEIR MOTOR VEHICLES. AS A RESULT OF THEIR WILFULL NEGLECT, I WILL HAVE TO PAY AN ESTIMATED $1200-1800 TO HAVE THE HEADS REPAIRED. ONE WEBSITE TALLIED 2,114 SIMILAR ENGINE COMPLAINTS BY 1998.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch
Filed Apr 7, 2004KY

HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ON WHILE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. CONSUMER UNHOOKED THE BATTERY TO KEEP THE BATTERY CHARGED AND A BUZZING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT A HEADLIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Power Train
Filed Jan 15, 200443,692 milesIN

CAR CURRENTLY HAS A COVER ON IT AND DOESN'T RUN BECAUSE OF A BAD TRANSMISSION.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 15, 200440,000 milesMA

VEHICLE TAKES AWHILE TO HEAT, COOLENT OKAY, NO EXTERNAL LEAKS, REMOVED PLUGS AND FOUND SIGNS OF COOLENT IN #4 CYL. REPLACED HEAD GASKETS AND SENT HEADS OUT TO MACHINE SHOP. APPEARS TO BE OKAY NOW. ON 06/01/99 AT CALL BACK FOR LEAKING HEAD GASKET THEY FOUND IT LEAKING AND REPLACED GASKETS AT NO CHARGE, THEM ON 08/11/99 THEY FOUND MY ENGINE BANGING AND SAID GASKETS LEAKED AND DAMAGED LOWER BEARINGS AND THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE AT NO CHARGE. ON 04/02/02 THE GASKETS LEAKED AGOAIN AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 3, 200396,809 milesCT

THE OWNER DROVE THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. WORK WAS DONE TO THE GASKETS. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE COST WOULD BE 1200.00 FOR FURTHER GASKET REPAIR WORK. THE OWNER REFUSED, AND FELT THAT HE WAS BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OFF. *AK *SCC *JB

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 30, 2003160,000 milesIN

RECALL 98V323000 CONCERNING SUB FRAME CORROSION. DEFECT OCCURRED AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. REPLACEMENT PARTS DIDN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 26, 2003CA

STONG GAS ODOR INSIDE OF CAR WHEN GAS TANK IS NEAR EMPTY. ODOR DOES NOT OCCUR EVERYTIME GAS TANK IN CLOSE TO EMPTY, AND NEVER OCCURS WHEN TANK IS FULL. HAVE TAKEN CAR INTO DEALERSHIP TWICE, AND THEY CAN SMELL THE GAS, BUT HAD TROUBLE LOCATING THE PROBLEM. THEY FOUND SOMETHING IN THEIR TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM 1997 THAT HAD TO DO WITH A VAPOR VENT HOSE THAT RUNS UNDER THE BACK SEAT OF VEHICLE AND WHEN REACHES TEMPS OF 90 DEGREES OR MORE, FUEL FUMES WERE COMING INTO VEHICLE WHEN THE MAX A/C IS ON. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO MY PROBLEM. THE KIT UNFORTUNATELY IS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED AND THEY COULD NOT LOCATE ONE, BUT ARE GOING TO TRY TO CREATE THEIR OWN KIT.

Suspension › Rear
Filed Aug 4, 2003100,000 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, AND THE BACK SUSPENSION WENT OUT, DRIVER ALSO HAD PROBLEM WITH STEERING.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine1 killed
Filed Jul 18, 2003NY

AFTER CAR INSPECTED AND SEVERAL REPAIRS COMPLETED ON MY 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL, EXECUTIVE SERIES IN GOOD CONDITION, THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND THE DEALERSHIP STATED TO TRADE-IN THE VEHICLE. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 13, 200392,046 milesTX

THE HEAD GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED.*AK *JB VECHILE STALLED OUT AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. CONSUMER LEARNED OF EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 100,000 MILES/7 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER DEALER WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE REPAIRS BECAUSE VEHICLE IS OLDER THAN 7 YEARS. VEHICLE IS JUST UNDER MILEAGE WITH 92,046 MILES. *TT

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 11, 200325,701 milesVA

THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE ALTERNATOR BURNED OUT.*SCC *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 4, 2003CT

I NEVER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS ON THE 94 LINCOLN CONT. AFTER PAYING FOR THE REPAIR I RESEARCHED INFO. IN ALLDATA & THERE WAS A GENERAL RECALL (TSB00M09). I CONTACTED THE DEALERS & IT WAS STILL OPEN UNDER MY VIN #. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO VARIOUS DEALERS BUT NOT ONE OF THEM HAD THE INTEGRITY TO LET ME KNOW ABOUT THIS LINGERING PROBLEM.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 3, 2003MD

THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: RECALL HEAD MOUNT , SUBFRAME, AIR BAG SUSPENSION SYSTEM, AIR SHOCK, REAR STABILIZER AND REAR SHOCK SENSORS-BOUNCING/BOBBING IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, RIGHT REAR TIRE, LEFT REAR AIR STRUT-WAS BLOWN AND WAS DRAGGING DOWN IN BACK, A CONVERSION OF SUSPENSION WAS DONE TO CONVERT TO COIL SPRINGS AND REPLACE ALL 4 STRUTS AND HARDWARE, RECALL BRAKE & MOTOR MOUNT-BRAKE GRINDING, HEAD GASKET, AND INNER TIE ROD. (RECALL #'S 94V129000 & 97V019000) SCC

Tires
Filed Feb 3, 200334,000 milesDC

ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
Filed Dec 21, 2002FL

ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, TRUNK WILL NOT GO UP NOR DOWN. CAR WOULDN'T CUT OFF EVEN WHEN THE KEY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION SHOCKS AND SUSPENSION-SHOCKS ARE CONSISTENTLY BEING REPLACED FOR UNKNOWN PURPOSES. INCLUDING THE AIR SUSPENSION. SY OVER HEATING- RADIATOR AND THERMOSTATS WAS REPLACED AND HAS GONE BAD WITHIN 1 WEEK. TS

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Nov 30, 2002AL

THIS VEH. HAS PREVIOUS SAFETY AND GENERAL RECALLS ON THE ABOVE PROBLEMS. TSB95S22 AND TSB97S66 RE ENG COOLING FAN AND GENERAL RECALLS TSB 98M01 AND TSB00M00 HEAD GASKET RECALLS. THE FORD MOTOR CO AS WELL AS THE DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO HONOR THE RECALLS STATING THEIR 7 YR OR 100,000 EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD. THERE IS A PREVIOUS CUSTOMER COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST THIS MFG ON 01/10/2002, ODIID: 757852. I FEEL THAT IF THIS MFG. CAN NOT HONOR A SAFETY OR GENERAL (RELATED) RECALL FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICE AND THE SAFETY OF THE MOTORING PUBLIC THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THE VEHICLES FROM THE HIGHWAY AND DISMANTLE THEM FOR THE NON RECALLABLE PARTS. THIS VEHICLE AND OTHERS LIKE IT ARE BEING OPERATED IN AREAS OF HEAVY FOG CONDITIONS. EMMISSIONS FROM CRANKCASE HEAD GASKETS BLOWING ALONG WITH HEAVY FOG CONDTIONS CAN AND WILL CONTINUE TO CAUSE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES. MY VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN MOBILE/BALDWIN COUNTIES HEAVY FOG ALONG THE I-10 BAYWAY (MOBILE/BALDWIN CO.) HAS ALREADY HAD SEVERAL TRAFFIC FATALITIES THAT ARE FOG AND EMMISSION CONDITIONS . AS ALABAMA HAS NO EMISSION CONTROLS IN PLACE THE NHTSA SHOULD INSIST ON THIS MFG HONORING THE SAFETY AND GENERAL RECALLS TO PROTECT THE MOTORING PUBLIC. DT

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Oct 29, 2002TX

THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THE ROAD WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING DUE TO FAULTY HEAD GASKET AND POSSIBLE CRACKED HEAD OR BLOCK. *YH

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 15, 2002TX

I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN MARCH 2002, BUT BY MID-JULY, IT WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. MY COLLEGE-AGE SON WAS DRIVING IT HOME FROM WORK WHEN IT OVERHEATED & HE HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. AFTER IT COOLED OFF, HE ADDED WATER & DROVE TO A SAFER PLACE WHERE HE ADDED MORE WATER & COOLANT, THEN TRIED TO GET HOME. THE CAR STALLED ON THE SERVICE ROAD/RAMP TO THE TOLLWAY & HAD TO BE PUSHED ASSIDE WITH THE HELP OF A POLICEMAN. I HAVE SINCE BECOME AWARE THAT THERE IS A MAJOR MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THIS CAR REGARDING A FAULTY HEAD GASKET. FORD HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES/7 YEARS, BUT WON'T COVER MY CAR SINCE IT'S NOW OLDER THAN 7 YEARS. MR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2002OH

ENGINE BLEW OUT WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT T ROD COULD HAVE COME THROUGH THE ENGINE.AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2002NJ

HEAD GASKET HAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THE GASKET LEAKING. CONTACTED DEALER.* AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Aug 11, 2002OH

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Aug 9, 2002CO

THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS POORLY DESIGNED SINCE IT FAILED AT ONLY 56000 MILES, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE (AXOD-E TRANSMISSION). NLM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit and Lines
Filed May 13, 2002AL

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THERE WAS LOTS OF SMOKE INSIDE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Apr 25, 2002TN

THIS CAR HAS SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH I HAVE PAID TO GET FIXED SUCH AS THE AIR RIDE CONTROL COMPRESSOR, THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, ALL FUSES, WIRING UNDER THE SEAT, LIGHTS ACROSS THE DASH, THE EMERGENCY FLASHER WOULD NOT TURN OFF. OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO THIS CAR WITHIN DAYS OF PURCHASE RADIATOR, TIMING CHAIN AND ALL OIL SEALS,DOOR HANDLES MECHINAM. I CAN NOW FEEL A RATTLE BENEATH MY FEET AS I DRIVE. HAS THERE EVER BEEN A RECALL ON THIS CAR? MY MOTHER HAS ONE LIKE IT AND HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WHICH HAS EXTENDED TO THE TRANSMISSION.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Apr 24, 2002CT

VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING DOWN A HILL AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND STALLED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK *YH

Suspension › Front
Filed Apr 18, 2002OK

FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT IS WIDELY KNOWN AT DEALER SERVICE CENTERS. FRONT OR REAR SUSPENSION LOSES ABILITY TO HOLD AIR, AND THE VEHICLE BOTTOMS OUT. BOTH OF MY FAILURES OCCURRED WITH THE CAR PARKED, BUT COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE MOVING. THE CAR SINKS SEVERAL INCHES AND SHOULDN'T BE DRIVEN. BOTH SETS OF COMPONENTS WENT OUT WITHIN MONTHS OF EACH OTHER, WITH TOTAL REPAIRS OF $2692.38. NOT REPAIRING IS NOT AN OPTION BECAUSE THE CAR BODY IS LITERALLY DOWN ON THE FRAME. IF FAILURE IS SO WIDESPREAD, WHY HASN'T MANUFACTURER BEEN REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SERVICE? NLM

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Air Suspension System
Filed Mar 2, 2002MI

AIR SUSPENSION WENT FULL UP FOR SEVERAL MILES, WHILE TRING TO FIND PLACE TO PULL OVER IT WENT DOWN HAS STAYED BOTTOMED OUT SINCE. DEALER IN FLA. SAID UNSAFE TO DRIVE BUT WANTED $3400 TO FIX. DROVE IT HOME TO MI. SLOW AND VERY ROUGH RIDE.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jan 31, 2002WV

WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING, CAUSING IT TO SHAKE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Dec 28, 2001MA

CONSUMER STATED INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL LOCKED UP, WHILE DRIVING ON A OFF RAMP AT 30-35MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, MANUFACTURER REFERRED CONSUMER TO A DEALER THAT WOULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND THE ORIGNIAL OWNER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS NOT, THERFORE THE PROBLEM WILL NOT BE COVERED.*YH

Suspension › Front › Shock Absorber
Filed Dec 18, 2001IN

WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH SHOCK ABSORBERS EXPLODED AND VEHICLE WENT 1 TO 2 FEET IN AIR BEFORE IT CAME BACK DOWN. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

Suspension › Front
Filed Nov 12, 2001GA

FRONT SUSPENSION WENT OUT WHILE CAR WAS PARKED, I HAVE SEEN WELL OVER 25 CUSTOMERS WHOM HAAVE CONTACTED NTSA WITH THE SAME PART FAILURE. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO SEE WHT THEY HAD NOT RECALLED THIS PARTICULAR ITEM ON THE CAR AND WAS GIVEN NO ANSWER. BUT TOLD TO GO TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALARSHIP AND HAAVE IT REPAAIRED, KEEP MY RECEIPTS AND IF THEY DECIDE (PROBABLE AFTER HUNDREDS MORE COMPLAIN) TO RECALL THE SUSPENSION SOMEWHERE IN THE FUTURE I WILL RECEIVE A LETTER AND IF I HAVE MY RECEIPTS AND IT WAS REPAIRED BY ONE OF THEIR AUTHORIZED AGENTS, THEN AT THAT TIME I MIGHT GET A REFUND. I EXPLAINED TO CUSTOMER SSERVICE THAT I FELT THAT THERE WAS PLENTY EENOUGH EVIDENCE LODGED ON THIS WEBSITE SUPPORTING THE FACT THAT MANY CUTOMERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED LONG TIME AGO. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IN APRIL 2001, I WAS TOLD THE ONLY RECALL THEY HAD WAS ON THE HEAD GASKETS. BUT THERE IS A SSERVICE BULLETIN OUT REGARING NOISES MADE UPON START UP AND SHUT DOWN WHICH ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FRONT AIR SUSPENSION. I FEEL LINCOLN FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR IN THEIR OBVIOUS NEGLECT TO RECALL THIS FAULTY SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND NOTIFY CONSUMERS OF ALL OF THIS YEAR OF LINCOLN PROBLEMS.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Sep 21, 2001IN

WHILE DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER CONDITIONS VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING, VEHICLE DOES NOT OVERHEAT, BUT ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AND RESTARTS AFTER 30 MINUTES. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. *AK VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS WHO CAN NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *SLC

Suspension › Front › Macpherson Strut
Filed Sep 7, 2001MI

MCPHERSON STRUTS MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO INTERMITTENTLY SET UP TOO HIGH OR DROP TO GROUND. VEHICLE BEEN INTO DEALER SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND HAD VARIOUS PARTS REPLACE/REPAIRS. PROBLEM STILL INTERMITTENTLY REOCCURS. *AK *NLM

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Aug 28, 2001MS

STARTED OFF WITH LIGHTS GOING OFF INTERMITTENTLY, NOW GO OFF AND STAY OFF, IN ORDER TO HAVE HEADLIGHTS, I HAVE TO "HOLD" THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS ON, I HAVE SUBMITTED THIS COMPLAINT SEVERAL TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!PLEASE HELP. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 23, 2001MA

THIS CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR A (B) RECALL (00M09)ON JULY OF 2000 WITH APPROX. 50000 MI. ON IT FOR A POTENTIAL HEAD GASKET FAILURE. MR. MACDONALD WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO NEED FOR SERVICING AT THAT TIME. APPROX. 3000 MI. LATER,THE CAR DEVELOPED OVER-HEATING AND HARD STARTING. IT WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED.I FEEL THE DEALER/MFR. FAILED IN THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO CORRECT THE SITUATION WHEN THEY COULD HAVE ON JULY 2000,THUS LEADING TO ENGINE FAILURE.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 23, 2001MA

THIS CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR A (B) RECALL (00M09)ON JULY OF 2000 WITH APPROX. 50000 MI. ON IT FOR A POTENTIAL HEAD GASKET FAILURE. MR. MACDONALD WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO NEED FOR SERVICING AT THAT TIME. APPROX. 3000 MI. LATER,THE CAR DEVELOPED OVER-HEATING AND HARD STARTING. IT WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED.I FEEL THE DEALER/MFR. FAILED IN THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO CORRECT THE SITUATION WHEN THEY COULD HAVE ON JULY 2000,THUS LEADING TO ENGINE FAILURE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 22, 2001NY

ENGINE MOUNTS ARE FAILING. ALSO, THERE IS AN OIL LEAK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTATCED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 2, 2001MA

EMPERATURE NEEDLE GOES TO HOT, AND CONSUMER CAN SMELL COOLANT/ WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM EXHAUST. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT MACHINE THE GASKETS. ANY KIND OF HEAT WILL WARP GASKETS. CONSUMER FELT DEALER SHOULD HAVE MACHINED THE GASKETS BEFORE, AND THEY WSOULD NOT HAVE NOT WARPED THAT SOON. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOMATION.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 31, 2001LA

PERSISTANT OVERHEATING LAST TWO YEARS. JUST OVER ONE YEAR AGO HEAD GASKET REPLACED AND COVER BY FORD UNDER SERVICE PROGRAM NUMBER 00M09. OVERHEATING HAS RETURNED AND WORSENED TO POINT CAR OVERHEATS AFTER SHORT DRIVES. IN AN EFFORT TO FIND AND SOLVE PROBLEM I HAVE HAD THE WATER PUMP/ RADIATOR/ THERMOSTAT AND COOLING FAN REPLACED. THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE HEAD GASKET OR HEAD ITSELF THAT IS THE PROBLEM. I TALKED TO FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO OTHER PROGRAM UNDER WHICH FORD OFFERED ASSISTED OTHER THAN THE ONE MENTIONED EARLIER. I TOLD THEM THE PROGRAM THEY OFFERED DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY INFORMATION AS TO PROBLEMS WITH THE DESIGN OF THE HEAD AND THEY WOULD NOT COMMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT HE CONSISTENTLY WORKS ON CARS WITH THIS ENGINE AND COOLING SYSTEM FOR OVERHEATING. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN OFFER. *AK

Suspension › Rear › Shock Absorber
Filed Jul 30, 2001NY

THE AIR SHOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. *AK

Electrical System
Filed Jun 21, 2001TX

WHEN THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS GOT WET IN A FLOOD, SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. VEHICLE HAS POWER WINDOWS AND DOORS. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE FROM INSIDE, AND DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. *AK ONCE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILES, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN DOORS AND WINDOWS WITH KEYS FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *YH

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jun 15, 2001MS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

Complaints 1-50 of 190, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1991
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20207200Routine
201933300Routine
201821200Routine
201775400Routine
200233100Routine
200132200Routine
200063430Routine
199942320Routine
199872220Routine
199796230Routine
199648302Fatalities reported
199570250Routine
1994 — this page190521Fatalities reported
1993121420Routine
1992126360Routine
19912033191Fatalities reported
19901585153Fatalities reported

Compare every Continental year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 16, 1998. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.