Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2009
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1983 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR DOES NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE SHIFT SELECTOR POSITION. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY AND A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR TUBE RETAINING CLIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER IN…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1983 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR DOES NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE SHIFT SELECTOR POSITION. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY AND A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR TUBE RETAINING CLIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL # 83V017000, POWER TRAIN, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; LEVER AND LINKAGE COLUMN SHIFT, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT SINCE THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.
THE PARKING GEAR MAY NOT ENGAGE, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THIS OCCURS IF THE LINKAGE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION THAT ACTUATES THE PARK GEAR WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. A PIN THAT RETAINS COMPONENTS ON A LINKAGE (ACTUATING) ROD COULD BREAK AND THE LINKAGE MAY NOT ENGAGE THE PARKING GEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD ASSEMBLY.
THE SHIFT INDICATOR MAY NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE SHIFT SELECTOR POSITION. SOME VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR TUBE RETAINING CLIPS THAT MAY NOT BE HARD ENOUGH. THE CLIP MAY LOOSEN OR FALL OFF, AND THE SELECTOR TUBE MAY BECOME DISPLACED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR TUBE RETAINING CLIP AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE89039 · Parking Brake Failure
Opened Feb 9, 1989 · Closed Jun 13, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Parking Brake
SUMMARY:THE SPRING UNDER INVESTIGATION CAUSES THE LATCHING PAWL TOENGAGE THE TEETH OF THE RATCHET WHEREBY THE PARKING BRAKE IS RETAINEDIN THE APPLIED POSITION.IF THE SPRING FAILS, THE PEDAL FOLLOWS THEOPERATORS FOOT BACK UP INTO THE RELEASED POSITION.FORD STATES THAT IT ISSUED THE BULLETIN IN ORDER TO INFORM DEALERSTHAT THE SPRING WAS NEWLY AVAILABLE AS A SEPARATE PART.PREVIOUSLY,IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL ASSEMBLY INORDER TO OBTAIN A NEW SPRING.SINCE THE FAILURE OF THE SPRING WILL NOT CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE TOSUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY RELEASE AND SINCE THERE IS ADEQUATE WARNINGOF THE FAILURE, NO SAFETY DEFECT TREND WAS FOUND.===
1983 Lincoln Continental Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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