1996 Lincoln Continental

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 48 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension › front. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension › Front5
000
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices4
000
Suspension3
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip2
100
Exterior Lighting2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline2
000
Wheels1
000
Visibility › Windshield1
000
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Interior1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads16E026000
Filed Apr 1, 201649,635 vehiclesRobert Bosch Llc

Defect. 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 intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.

Risk. A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. 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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission96V176000
Filed Sep 18, 1996340,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL SHAFT MAY NOT BE FREE TO ROTATE AS INTENDED. IF THE PARK PAWL SHAFT DOES NOT ROTATE, IT WOULD PREVENT THE PARK PAWL FROM ENGAGING THE PARK GEAR WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS IN THE PARK POSITION.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROTATION AND THOSE SHAFTS WITH RESTRICTED ROTATION WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHORTER SHAFT THAT WILL NOT RESTRICT ROTATION.

Exterior Lighting96V009000
Filed Jan 23, 199640,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. A DEFECTIVE CONTROL MODULE IN THE "AUTOLAMP" SYSTEM CAN MALFUNCTION. IF THE "AUTOLAMP" SYSTEM IS BEING USED TO ACTIVATE THE EXTERIOR LIGHT (INCLUDING HEADLAMPS), THE HEADLAMPS COULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THIS WILL NOT OCCUR IF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING IS TURNED ON MANUALLY BY THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

Risk. IF THE HEADLAMPS SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE IMPAIRED INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE "AUTOLAMP" CONTROL MODULE. OWNERS ARE INSTRUCTED TO USE THE MANUAL HEADLAMP SWITCH UNTIL THE CONTROL MODULE CAN BE REPLACED.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 20, 2009SC

LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT ON DRIVER'S SIDE WENT OUT. *TR

Suspension
Filed Jul 10, 2007100,000 milesMN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE RESTS 12 INCHES HIGHER ON ONE SIDE THAN THE OTHER, FROM THE FRONT END TO THE REAR. AS A RESULT, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE UPWARDS TOWARDS THE SKY OR DOWNWARDS INTO THE GROUND. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS GONE INTO AIR SHOCK, FORCING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL AND DRIVE OFF THE ROAD. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 160,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Air Suspension System
Filed Jan 30, 200796,683 milesMN

DEFECTIVE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IN LINCOLN CONTINENTAL RESULTS IN EXTREMELY UNSTABLE AND UNSAFE DRIVING. BLOWN AIR BAG WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE RESULTED IN REAR END CRASHING DOWN AND LEAVING CAR INOPERABLE. FAULTY COMPRESSOR LEAVES THE CAR 12 INCHES DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEFT AND RIGHT AND FRONT AND BACK. HEAD LIGHTS SHINE INTO THE SKY AND NOW INTO THE GROUND. DRIVING VEHICLE EXTREMELY UNSAFE ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. 3 YRS OF COMPLAINING TO FORD/LINCOLN - THEY WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM! GET THESE VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD BEFORE THEY CAUSE MAJOR ROAD ACCIDENTS. MN STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL NOTIFIED - FILE # RJM/2006/322030/C. *NM

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Dec 21, 200674,000 milesCA

TL* - THE CONTACT IS CALLING REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06T023000. THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE TOOK HIS TIRES TO PEP BOYS THEY REFUSE TO PROVIDE HIM WITH FREE TIRES AND TOLD HIM HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE TIRES AT A PRO-RATED RATE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT DUE TO THE RECALL HE SHOULD HAVE NOT BEEN CHARGE. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE A COPY OF THE INVOICE IF NEEDED.

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Interior
Filed Jul 9, 2004CT

AUTOMOBILE DIMMING REARVIEW MIRROR IS NOT CLEAR,MELTING EFFECT.*AK

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices
Filed Feb 25, 2003KY

THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SIDE VIEW MIRROR CONTAINED FILM WHICH RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY.*JB

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices
Filed Dec 4, 2002NH

I HAVE CONTACTED LINCOLN ABOUT THE PAINT AND MIRRORS AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE MIRROR IS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS DISCOLORED AND DISTORED. I HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR TO AN AUTOBODY SHOP PER DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A DEFECTED PAINT JOB FROM THE LINCOLN. THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. DT

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Oct 25, 2002CA

CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED COMPLAINING ABOUT AN ODOR EMMITING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING SMELLING LIKE MILDEW. *JG

Suspension
Filed Oct 23, 2002KS

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE AIR SUSPENSION WENT OUT THE VEHICLE AIR SHOCKS AND THE VEHICLE IN UNABLE TO STEER. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Sep 30, 2002IN

THE GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT SHIFT. IT WILL SLIDE UP AND DOWN INTERMITTENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND WILL NOT MOVE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 18, 2002MO

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION AT 30-40 MPH. *TT

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 17, 2002FL

HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 96V009000 DUE TO VIN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Wheels2 killed
Filed Dec 23, 2001PA

WHEEL PRESURE SENSORS IN TWO TIRES BROKE APART AND DESTROYED TWO TIRE FROM THE INSIDE. I ALSO NEED TO GET PROBLEM CORRECTED IN REMAINING TIERES BUT THE REPAIR SHOP WILL NOT FIX THIS AS IT IS A SAFTY ISSUE AND THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED. MY RTEMAING WHEELS SENSORS COULD COME APART AND DESTROY MY TIRES CAUSING A BLOW OUT.

Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
Filed Nov 27, 2001NH

WHEN HEADLAMPS ARE IN USE RADIO SWITCHES STATIONS WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Filed Nov 7, 2001NY

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL IT WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING UNWANTED ACCELERATION. AFTER DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE CONTINUED TO GAIN SPEED, ALSO, AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF, RPMS CONTINUED TO RACE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER DETERMINED THAT THROTTLE CABLE BROKE COMPLETLEY IN HALF.*AK

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
Filed Oct 15, 2001IN

INSIDE REARVIEW AUTOMATIC DAY/NIGHT MIRROR IN MY 1996 CONTINENTAL HAS STOPPED DIMMING. THERE IS A SPOT APPROXIMATELY IN THE UPPER RIGHT MIDDLE OF THE MIRROR THAT DOES DIM AS IT SHOULD. AS SUCH, WHEN A CAR COMES UP FROM BEHIND (ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAVE BRIGHTS ON), IT BLINDS ME AND DECREASES MY "NIGHT VISION." NOT ONLY IS THIS AN ANNOYANCE, BUT IT IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOT A TSB OR WARRANTY ON IT. IT DOES COST $500.00. I HAVE E-MAILED THE COMPANY THAT MAKES THE MIRROR (DONNELLY CORP.) BUT THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED MY REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REPAIR, WARRANTY OR REPLACEMENT. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT THIS MAY BE A "COMMON" PROBLEM WITH 1996 AND 1997 CONTI.. ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.. *AK

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices
Filed Sep 13, 2001MI

BOTH MIRRORS ARE DISCOLORED AND DISTORTED, PRESENTING A SAFETY HAZARD. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 6, 2001DE

BRAKES PULSATE AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY FADE OUT AND COME BACK IN. CONSUMER HIT BRAKES, AND THEY FADED. ABS LIGHT CAME ON AFTER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE SAME DEALER 4 TIMES. DEALER HAS CHECKED THE CODES, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Jun 20, 2001IL

POWER WINDOWS/ REAR DEFROSTER AND HORN WERN'T WORKING CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MLP SENSOR WAS REPLACED, HELPED WINDOWS TO GO UP AND DOWN CORRECTLY. HORN STILL DOESN'T WORK. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED MANY SENSORS,TYRING TO FIND A REMEDY. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Jun 12, 2001AL

AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING DASHLIGHTS AND GAUGES STOPPED WORKING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER SHE RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND GAUGES WORKED FINE. VEHICLE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET.*AK

20 of 48 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1991
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20207200Routine
201932300Routine
201819200Routine
201775400Routine
200233100Routine
200132200Routine
200063430Routine
199942320Routine
199872220Routine
199796230Routine
1996 — this page48302Fatalities reported
199570250Routine
1994190521Fatalities reported
1993121420Routine
1992126360Routine
19912033191Fatalities reported
19901585153Fatalities reported

Compare every Continental year →

Reading this record

2 deaths 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: Apr 1, 2016. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.