1997 Lincoln Continental

Routine

Owners filed 96 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the visibility › rearview mirrors/devices › interior. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Interior10
000
Vehicle Speed Control6
110
Tires5
104
Power Train › Automatic Transmission5
000
Suspension › Front4
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip4
000
Power Train4
000
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices3
000
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly3
000
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System3
000

2 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 Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)96V166000
Filed Sep 5, 199640,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK.

Risk. UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or OtherFire
Filed Jan 20, 201991,000 milesFL

SHORTLY AFTER START, 200M, ENGINE STILL COLD , I SMELL SMOKE,,STOPTED IMMEDIATLY PASSING BRIDGE, SMOKE STILL, MORE INTENSIVE. I TALK TO DRIVERS AROUND TO CALL FIRE DEPARTEMENT. TOOK ONLY BLOUSE CLOSE TO ME AND LEAVE THE CAR. MOKE AND FIRST FIRE STARTED RIGHT FROM FEED SPACE. NO FIRE IN ENGINE AREA. .

Air BagsCrash
Filed Oct 6, 20181,280,000 milesVA

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS DRIVING 35MPH GOING DOWN MAIN ROAD IN AN OFFICE PARK. OTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY AND CAME THRU STOP SIGN. I HAD ALMOST ZERO TIME TO REACT. I SLAMMED ON BRAKES TRYING TO PREPARE FOR IMPACT. WE HIT. MY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BUMPER HIT HIS PASSENGER SIDE FRONT. HIS AIRBAG DEPLOYED, MINE DID NOT. POLICE, FIREFIGHTERS, AND AMBULANCE PERSONNEL STATED IT SHOULD HAVE. I HAVE HAD NECK SURGERY IN THE PAST, WITH 4 FUSIONS. I AM EXTREMELY SORE. THE AIRBAG COULD HAVE HELPED ME TO NOT BE JERKED AROUND SO MUCH. THANKFULLY, MY CAR IS AN OLDER, WELL BUILT VEHICLE SO DAMAGE IS MINIMAL. WINDOW KNOCKED OFF TRACK, BUMPER DAMAGE THAT WILL NEED TO BE SANDED AND PAINTED, HEADLIGHT CRACKED.

Engine
Filed Sep 11, 201240,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 40,000 MILES AND HAD TO BE REPLACE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Power Train
Filed Feb 17, 2012172,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY, WHILE STILL IN PARK. THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PRESSURE REGULATOR SOLENOID AND THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH WERE DEFECTIVE. AS A RESULT, THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V166000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Mar 6, 2008OH

MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND HAD TO BE JUNKED. *TR

Suspension › Front › Macpherson Strut
Filed Apr 19, 2007103,000 milesIA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND STRUTS HAVING FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,388. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS THE REPAIR INVOICES.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 21, 200770,000 milesFL

TL*- THEE CONTACT HAS A 1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BOTH TRACTION CONTROL, AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES. HE HAS HAD 3 FAILURES OF THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER NO LONGER MAKES THE REPLACEMENT PARTS, AND ONE CAN ONLY GET USED REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 70,000.

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 16, 2006KS

1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL, RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD BEGAN TO SEPARATE, THE OTHER THREE TIRES WERE ALMOST SEPARATING AT THE TREAD WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES ON THEM. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR COST OF NEW TIRES. *KB AT TIME OF PURCHASE THE CONSUMER NOTICED A BOUNCE AND WOBBLE IN THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 30-58 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO CHECKED THE TIRES. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE TIRES HAD A LOT OF TREAD LEFT AND IF HE COULD LIVE WITH A LITTLE BOUNCE THAT THE TIRES WERE FINE. THE TECH INDICATED REPLACING THE TIRES IF THE BOUNCE BECAME MUCH WORSE. EVENTUALLY THE BOUNCE BECAME WORSE AND THE CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO REPLACE THE TIRE. THE DAY BEFORE THE SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD STARTED SEPARATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED ALL THE TRIES AND FOUND THAT TWO OTHER TIRES HAD CORDS SHOWING ON THE INSIDE GROOVE. THE CONSUMER HAD ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED THE NEXT DAY (MULTI-MILE GRAND AM LXE TIRES, TIRES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL TIRE IN 2002 FOR TBC UNDER THE NAME MULTI MILE). *NM

Electrical System
Filed Aug 3, 200675,000 milesNE

INTERMITTENT PROBLEM: AUTOMATIC DRIVER SEAT DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN DOOR IS CLOSED. DOME LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF AND DOORS WILL NOT LOCK EVEN WHEN MANUALLY LOCKED. DISPLAY SHOWS DOOR OPEN MESSAGE. WHEN THESE FEATURES DO WORK, THERE IS AN APPROX. 5 SECOND DELAY. LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. MUCH MONEY SPENT WITH NO RESULTS. WHAT CAN I DO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? *JB

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Interior
Filed Jan 30, 200642,800 milesNC

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR FAILED TO DIM AUTOMATICALLY. THE MIRROR IS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT GLARE FROM THE OTHER VEHICLES' LIGHTS. THE MIRROR FAILED DUE TO UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES THE FIRST TIME. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE SECOND MIRROR FAILED BECAUSE THE LIQUID IN THE MIRROR LEAKED OUT. THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED A THIRD TIME AND THE MIRROR WAS REPLACED. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED A FOURTH TIME THE MIRROR HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. UPDATED 2/21/2006 - *NM

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jun 28, 200553,000 milesWI

DT: THE WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ROLL DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE IS AT DEALER NOW, AND THEY CAN'T GET WINDOWS DOWN.. DEALER SAID IT NEEDED A ROTOR CUP. THIS HAPPENS EVERY WEEK WITH THE WINDOWS NOT WORKING PROPERLY.*AK

Interior Lighting
Filed Feb 8, 2005SC

THE INSIDE LIGHTS OF MY 1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WHICH WAS PURCHASED ON FEB. 28, 1997, STARTED COMING ON WHILE WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR AND WOULDN'T GO OUT. IT ALSO OCCURRED WHEN WE TURNED OFF THE CAR. WE WOULD TURN OFF ONE INSIDE LIGHT AND ANOTHER WOULD COME ON AND WE HAD TO PLAY AROUND WITH IT TO TRY TO GET IT OFF. THIS RESULTED IN OUR BATTERY BEING DRAINED SEVERAL TIMES. WE TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND ON 1-19-05 THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE LIGHT CONTROL MODULE, THE PART ALONE COST US $556.42 AND AN ADDITIONAL $90 TO FIND OUT THAT THE MODULE WAS BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. OUR MECHANIC ADVISED US THAT THERE HAD BEEN SAFETY RECALLS ON THE LIGHT CONTROL MODULES FOR 1995 AND 1996 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL CARS LIKE OUR'S AND THEY EXPECTED THAT A SIMILAR SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE DONE FOR THE 1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WHICH IS THE ONE WE OWN. THE PROBLEM BEGAN OCCURING THIS PAST SUMMER AROUND JULY 2004 AND HAS CONTINUED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHERE WE HAVE HAD TO JUMP START THE CAR FOR A TEMPORARY FIX. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 13, 2005FL

COMPLAINT AGAINST MOTOR CRAFT REPLACEMENT PARTS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE RECEIVED DEFECTIVE PARTS FROM MOTOR CRAFT. I PRESENTLY HAVE A 97 LINCOLN CONT. AND RECENTLY HAD MY A/C CONDENSER REPLACED ALONG WITH A TUNE-UP. IN THE PROCESS, THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. IT WAS A GENUINE MOTOR CRAFT PART. AFTER INSTALLATION, THE CAR OVERHEATED BECAUSE THE NEW THERMOSTAT WAS DEFECTIVE. MY MECHANIC REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER NEW THERMOSTAT AND THE CAR OVER HEATED AGAIN. THE SECOND THERMOSTAT WAS FAULTY. THE MECHANIC WAS NOT UPSET BECAUSE HE STATED FORD/LINCOLN PAYS MECHANICS FOR LABOR WHENEVER A REPLACEMENT PART IS DEFECTIVE. SO, MECHANICS DON'T CARE, ONLY THE CONSUMER SUFFERS. ONE MECHANIC ADMITTED THIS HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN, THE SUPPLY PEOPLE WILL SIMPLY PLACE A DEFECTIVE PART BACK ON THE SHELF. THE RESULT IS DEALERS WANT TO DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM REPAIRING FORDS/LINCOLNS BY MAKING CONSUMERS GO BACK FOR REPEATED SERVICE CALLS (MOTOR CRAFT THERMOSTAT). *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Dec 22, 2004CA

COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH CAUSED FUMES TO FILL UP THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HAVE VISIBILITY PROBLEMS. THE WINDSHIELD WAS SEVERELY FOGGED UP. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Nov 29, 2004NY

BRAKE LINES WERE SO CORRODED THAT THEY FAILED, LEAVING ME WITHOUT BRAKES. MY MECHANIC CONTACTED FORD TO GET REPLACEMENT BRAKE LINES AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT MANUFACTURED ANYMORE. MY MECHANIC HAD TO MANUFACTURE HIS OWN BRAKE LINES. CAUSE OF THE LINE FAILURE SEEMS TO BE PROXIMITY TO THE MUFFLER CAUSING HEAT AND WATER TO CORRODE THE LINES. I HAVE THE OLD BRAKE LILNES AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.*AK

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices
Filed Sep 24, 2004IL

REARVIEW MIRROR WAS DARK AND CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE. MIRROR HAD AN AUTOMATIC DIMMER PROCESS IN WHICH THE MATERIAL FADED INTO THE MIRROR. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. CONSUMER DRIVE VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL, AND WARRANTY EXPIRED. CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR PARTS AND LABOR. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 22, 200473,100 milesNY

THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT AN INTERNAL BREAK OF METAL IN THE TRANSMISSION HAD OCCURRED. *NM *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Mar 4, 200455,100 milesPA

WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MADE A GROANING NOISE, CAUSING BRAKE PEDAL TO PUMP. ALSO, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PASS THE DESIRED STOPPING POINT. *AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump
Filed Feb 26, 200454,000 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING A NOISE CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN. ALSO, VEHICLE HAD TO BE STARTED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE POWER ASSIST PUMP WOULD OPERATE. CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS UNDER TSB 6092661. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AGAIN BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK *MR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 26, 2004105,757 milesVA

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (PART # F702-7000-BRM). *AK *NM

20 of 96 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1991
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20207200Routine
201932300Routine
201819200Routine
201775400Routine
200233100Routine
200132200Routine
200063430Routine
199942320Routine
199872220Routine
1997 — this page96230Routine
199648302Fatalities reported
199570250Routine
1994190521Fatalities reported
1993121420Routine
1992126360Routine
19912033191Fatalities reported
19901585153Fatalities reported

Compare every Continental year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

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.