The 1997 Lincoln Continental has 2 safety recalls and 96 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is visibility (16 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints96filed by owners
Crashes · fires5 · 3reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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)
Problem: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
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.
Fuel economy
Continental
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/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.
Steering Linkages › Tie rod assembly; Hydraulic power assist system
12
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
11
0
0
0
47,693 mi
Suspension Front; Rear › Shock absorber
11
0
0
0
—
Power train Automatic transmission
10
0
0
0
89,428 mi
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal; Linkages
9
1
1
0
—
Tires Tread/belt
9
1
0
4
—
Electrical system Horn; Ignition › Switch
7
0
1
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine
6
0
0
0
—
Air bags Frontal
4
3
0
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline Fuel injection system
2
0
0
0
—
Equipment Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift; Appliance › Air conditioner
2
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jan 17, 2019 · 91,000 miles · fireUnknown or other 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. .
Oct 3, 2018 · crashAir bags 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,…
Sep 10, 2011 · 40,000 milesEngine 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.
Feb 16, 2012 · 172,000 milesPower train 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.
Feb 21, 2008 · fireVehicle speed control MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND HAD TO BE JUNKED. *TR
Apr 4, 2007 · 103,000 milesSuspension › Front › Macpherson strut 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.
Dec 9, 2006 · 70,000 milesService brakes, hydraulic 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.
Jul 11, 2006Tires › Tread/belt 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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.