The 1992 Lincoln Continental has 3 safety recalls and 126 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (53 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints126filed by owners
Crashes · fires3 · 6reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Structure › Frame and members
NHTSA recall 98V323000 · Dec 16, 1998 · 2,697,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
Vehicle speed control
NHTSA recall 97V025000 · Feb 26, 1997 · 212,700 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
NHTSA recall 97V019000 · Feb 25, 1997 · 75,200 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1992 Lincoln Continental 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Continental
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline
53
0
3
0
—
Suspension Front › Springs › Air suspension system; Rear
26
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
23
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Ignition; Wiring › Interior/under dash
16
0
2
0
—
Structure Frame and members; Body › Door
14
0
0
0
—
Equipment Appliance › Air conditioner; Electrical
11
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
10
0
0
0
—
Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission
Steering Hydraulic power assist system; Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
6
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
6
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 9, 2015 · 130,000 milesSteering TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR SUB-MOUNT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Jul 2, 2009 · 140,000 milesVehicle speed control THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I AM USING MY CRUISE CONTROL AND STEP ON THE BRAKE TO DISENGAGE IT THAT THE CAR ACTUALLY SPEEDS UP. I HAVE TO STEP ON THE BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT TO DISENGAGE. IT IS QUITE SCARY. *TR
May 16, 2004 · fireElectrical system › Wiring › Front underhood WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH A FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Feb 15, 2003 · 61,774 milesEngine and engine cooling VEHICLE BROKE DOWN WHILE HEADED SOUTH I95 ON 12/26/02 IN PETERBURG,VIRGINIA. FORCED TO RENT A CAR WHILE BEING REPAIRED. REPLACED HEAD GASKETS AND EGO SENSOR AND PERIPHERAL WORK NEEDED. COST: $1,215.89 PLUS RENTAL (STRANDED IN VA) $264.60. TOTAL OF $1,480.49. THIS IS NOT A MAINTENANCE ITEM, BUT A FLAW IN VEHICLE WHICH FORD-LINCOLN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED VIA A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. I BELIEVE LATER MODELS 1994? WERE COVERED BY FORD FOR REPAIR EXPENSE. ALSO MY MILEAGE IS A 1000 OVER THAT FOR REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT. BUT THIS VEHICLE REPAIR ALSO SHOULD BE COVERED BY MANUFACTURER BECAUSE IT IS THE SAME FLAWED 3.8 ENGINE!
Jul 15, 2003Visibility › Power window devices and controls HERE IS THE LIST OF PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WITH THIS CAR. 1.PURCHASED FROM BOB MULLEN AUTO BATAVIA NY MILAGE: 58702 ,JUNE 3RD 1999 2.RETURNED CAR 10 DAYS LATER , AC DIDN'T WORK, DEALER REPIRED AT HIS COST OF $500. 3.JAN 2000 REPAIR EXHAUST SYSTEM. MY SHARE OF BILL $514.00 4. 4/28/2000 MONROE MUFFLER, WORK ON FRONT END AIR SUSPENSION, $370 5. 7/28/2000 ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED, COST $152 FOR NEW SWITCHES 6. 9/15/2000 TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER ABS WASN'T WORKING ESTIMATE TO REPAIR..$826, HAD DEALER DISARM ABS 7. DGL ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. HAD TO TAKE CAR TO LINCOLN DEALER,,ESTIMATED COST TO FIX ALL THE THINGS DISCOVERED TO BE BAD, $3480. TOLD THEM I'D TAKE MY CHANCES 8. 4/9/2001 TOOK CAR AGAIN TO…
Nov 13, 2003 · 72,100 milesPower train › Automatic transmission 1992 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WOULDN'T GO IN GEAR. TURNING IT OFF AND ON IT WOULD GO IN GEAR UNTIL YOU STARTING GOING THEN NOTHING. *LA
Sep 10, 2003Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor DEALER REPLACED ROTORS AND PAD FOR A NEW YORK TRIP. BY THE TIME CONSUMER ARRIVED IN NEW YORK BRAKES FAILED. CURRENTLY, BRAKE FLUID LEAK. *AK
Jan 13, 2003Service brakes, hydraulic ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING A COLLISION. AFTERWARDS, THE "ABS" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DEALER NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. TS
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA96024 · opened Sep 30, 1996 · closed Apr 15, 1997 · led to recall 97V019000ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES There is no summary currently available
PE96033 · opened May 2, 1996 · closed Sep 30, 1996 · led to recall 97V019000ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.
DP95004 · opened Aug 8, 1995 · closed Aug 30, 1995ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS
EA94008 · opened Feb 16, 1994 · closed Feb 27, 1995BROKEN TIE RODS There is no summary currently available
EA93022 · opened Jul 30, 1993 · closed Aug 31, 1994IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALF There is no summary currently available
PE93058 · opened Jun 15, 1993 · closed Feb 16, 1994BROKEN TIE RODS There is no summary currently available
PE93010 · opened Mar 2, 1993 · closed Jul 30, 1993IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALF There is no summary currently available
EA92040 · opened Nov 30, 1992 · closed Jun 30, 1993 · led to recall 93V106001SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL There is no summary currently available