IllustrationNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
1993 Lincoln Continental
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Continental years
Owner complaints for the 1993 Lincoln Continental are substantially higher than the model-year median of 32.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Continental years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 10 of 121 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
73 reportsWHILE TRAVELING ON THE STREET AT 10-15 MPH NOTICED SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE. DROVE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. REPAIRS WERE MADE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK
CONSUMER EXPIERENCED PROBLEM WITH BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *ML
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF COOLANT. TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND WAS INFORMED OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ALSO, AIR CONDITIONING DOES NOT WORK. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK *ML
HAD HEAD GASKET REPAIRED ON ENGINE THAT FORD MOTROR COMPANY KNOWS HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE ENGINES INCEPTION. REPAIRS OVER $2100.00. *AK
ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2000 FORD ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE FOR OWNERS OF 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTIALS, 1995 FORD WINDSTARS, AND 1994-1995 FORD TAURUSES AND MERCURY SABLES. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WHOSE HEAD GASKETS FAILED DURING A NEW WARRANTY PERIOD OF 7 YEARS AND 100,000 WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND OF THEIR REPAIR BILLS. I HAD…
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ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2000 FORD ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE FOR OWNERS OF 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTIALS, 1995 FORD WINDSTARS, AND 1994-1995 FORD TAURUSES AND MERCURY SABLES. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WHOSE HEAD GASKETS FAILED DURING A NEW WARRANTY PERIOD OF 7 YEARS AND 100,000 WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND OF THEIR REPAIR BILLS. I HAD EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 1993 LINCOLN CONTINENTIAL BUT FOR SOME REASON THIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. WHAT FACTORS DETERMINED WHO WAS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS REFUND? I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND AGAIN THEY REFUSE TO EXPLAIN WHY I AM NOT ELIGIBLE EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE SAME ENGINE AND THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THEY CONTINUE TO ADVERTISE THAT "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY" WHICH IS TOTALLY FALSE. *AK
AT 40,217 MILES ON MY 1993 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MY " ENGINE CHECK LIGHT" COME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD BLOWN A HEAD GASKET AND HAD TO REPLACE MY 3.8L ENGINE. I CONTACTED FORD TO FIND OUT WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ENGINE FAILURE AT ONLY 40,000 MILES. TO DATE, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A SAT…
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AT 40,217 MILES ON MY 1993 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MY " ENGINE CHECK LIGHT" COME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD BLOWN A HEAD GASKET AND HAD TO REPLACE MY 3.8L ENGINE. I CONTACTED FORD TO FIND OUT WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ENGINE FAILURE AT ONLY 40,000 MILES. TO DATE, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A SATISFACTORY ANSWER, ONLY A LOT OF SYMPATHETIC WORDS AND "I AM SORRY MR. BLAIR WE WILL NOT TELL YOU ABOUT THE COMPLAINTS AND PERFORMANCE OF THIS ENGINE AND SINCE YOUR CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY WE CONSIDER THIS MATTER CLOSED." ON SEARCHING THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT HOW I CAN RESOLVE MY COMPLAINT I HAVE FOUND THAT OTHER FORD CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PREMATURE 3.8L ENGINE FAILURES. CAN YOU HELP ME RESOLVE MY CONCERNS WITH FORD? WHAT IS THE PROCESS ON ORGANIZING A POSSIBLE CLASS ACTION SUIT ?*AK
HEAD GASKET FAILED AT LOW MILEAGE, SIMILAR VEHICLES WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT THE CONSUMERS. NLM
REPAIRS PAST 8 MONTHS: HEAD GASKET, REAR BRAKES, POWER STEERING SYSTEM, REAR AIR BAGS, SPEED SENSOR (3X), TO NAME A FEW. PENDING REPAIRS: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (DASH), REAR DOOR ACTUATOR, CHIPPING BUMPER PAINT, TRANSMISSION SLUGGISH.
ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUTON A METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED VEHICLE. IT WAS A COSTLY REPAIR. SO I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT HAD OCCURRED IN OTHER '93 LINCOLNS, AND HE STATED THAT, WHILE IT WAS UNFORTUNATE, IT SEEMED TO BE UNIQUE TO MY CAR.*AK
Official recalls
498V323000 · Structure:frame And Members
Dec 16, 1998
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
98V009000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
Jan 21, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.
97V025000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Feb 26, 1997
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
97V019000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
Feb 25, 1997
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
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
5EA96024 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened Sep 30, 1996 · Closed Apr 15, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
PE96033 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened May 2, 1996 · Closed Sep 30, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
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 · Alleged Defective Tie Rods
Opened Aug 8, 1995 · Closed Aug 30, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS
EA94008 · Broken Tie Rods
Opened Feb 16, 1994 · Closed Feb 27, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE93058 · Broken Tie Rods
Opened Jun 15, 1993 · Closed Feb 16, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available