IllustrationPOWER STEERING FAILURE, MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE, HEAD GASKET LEAK AND THE TRANSMISSION SEALS LEAK. CAR HAS 75000 MILES. *JB
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
Steering complaints
12 reportsTHE DESCRIBED VEHICLE EVIDENTLY HAD A WATER PUMP GO OUT. THE VEHICLE GAUGE NEVER INDICATED VEHICLE WAS HOT, SO THERE WAS NO WARNING WHEN THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND QUIT RUNNING. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 70, WE LOST BRAKING AND STEERING CAPACITY AND WERE FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE TO BRAKE OR MANEUVER AGGRESIVELY. THERE W…
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THE DESCRIBED VEHICLE EVIDENTLY HAD A WATER PUMP GO OUT. THE VEHICLE GAUGE NEVER INDICATED VEHICLE WAS HOT, SO THERE WAS NO WARNING WHEN THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND QUIT RUNNING. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 70, WE LOST BRAKING AND STEERING CAPACITY AND WERE FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE TO BRAKE OR MANEUVER AGGRESIVELY. THERE WERE 4 PERSONS IN THE VEHICLE WHO CAN ATTEST THAT THE WARNING SYSTEM DID NOT WORK. *AK
VEHICLE NOT HEATING, COLD AIR WAS COMING OUT OF HEATER, AND VEHICLE THREATENED TO STALL. IT WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, AND A TSB WAS FOUND ON BLOWN GASKETS. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED GOLD WARRANTY ISSUED IN 1998 FOR LINCOLN, CONTINENTALS 1993- 1995. REPAIRMEN CALLED TO SEE IF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WOULD BE COVERED, ONLY 1994-1995 …
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VEHICLE NOT HEATING, COLD AIR WAS COMING OUT OF HEATER, AND VEHICLE THREATENED TO STALL. IT WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, AND A TSB WAS FOUND ON BLOWN GASKETS. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED GOLD WARRANTY ISSUED IN 1998 FOR LINCOLN, CONTINENTALS 1993- 1995. REPAIRMEN CALLED TO SEE IF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WOULD BE COVERED, ONLY 1994-1995 WOULD BE REPAIRED FREE, 1993 VEHICLES WEREN'T COVERED. *AK CONSUMER HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE: DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED MIRROR FAILED, 02 SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, TRANSMISSION PAN GASKET REPLACED, OUTER TIE ROD ENDS AND FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS AND BUSHINGS REPLACED, LEFT FRONT INSIDE DOOR HANDLE REPLACED, VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED, SUSPENSION PUMP REPLACED, RESERVE TANK REPLACED, RIGHT AND LEFT AIR BAGS REPLACED, SHOCKS REPLACED, DISTRIBUTOR CAP REPLACED, SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, LEFT DOOR ACTUATOR REPLACED, BLOWER MOTOR SPEED CONTROLLER REPLACED, REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS, REPLACED REAR BRAKE PADS, MACHINED ROTORS, REPLACED REAR BRAKE CALIPERS, REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED, SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER REPLACED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, FRONT AND REAR MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS REPLACED, REAR SUSPENSION FAILED, AND FROM THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE DEALER WOULD NOT REIMBURSE CONSUMER. *SLC
VEHICLE HAD BLOWN A HEAD GASKET TWICE WITHIN PAST TWO YEARS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK DURING REPLACEMENT OF RADIATOR AND POWER STEERING THE MECHANIC POURED, BY MISTAKE, A METAL CLEANER INTO THE RADIATOR WHICH RESULTED IN UNPLEASANT ODOR. THE CUSTOMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE RADIATOR SE…
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VEHICLE HAD BLOWN A HEAD GASKET TWICE WITHIN PAST TWO YEARS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK DURING REPLACEMENT OF RADIATOR AND POWER STEERING THE MECHANIC POURED, BY MISTAKE, A METAL CLEANER INTO THE RADIATOR WHICH RESULTED IN UNPLEASANT ODOR. THE CUSTOMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE RADIATOR SEALS, HOSES AND THE ENGINE BY THAT CHEMICAL BEFORE IT WASH FLUSHED OUT. THERE IS A NOISE PROBLEM WHICH SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING THAT WAS NOT THERE BEFORE THE REPLACEMNT OF THE POWER STEERING HOSES. *YH
WHEN TRYING TO TURN OFF CAR CONSUMER TURNED KEY, BUT ENGINE WAS STILL ON. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL MAY LOCK UP.*AK
NO SUMMARY
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS, ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES, HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 53419 MILES AND AGAIN AT 68564 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, ENGINE OVERHEATED, ANTIFREEZE WAS IN TAILPIPE AND OIL IN RADIATOR, MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE 11/95 WITH 28005 MILES. CONSUMER STATED IT WAS NOISY WHILE TURNING STEERIN…
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VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS, ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES, HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 53419 MILES AND AGAIN AT 68564 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, ENGINE OVERHEATED, ANTIFREEZE WAS IN TAILPIPE AND OIL IN RADIATOR, MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE 11/95 WITH 28005 MILES. CONSUMER STATED IT WAS NOISY WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL, DEALER REPLACED TIE ROD END. AIR CONDITIONER WAS INOPERABLE DUE TO MANIFOLD SET AND ACCUMULATER RUSTED THROUGH. TAPE PLAYER ATE TAPES. WIPERS WOULD NOT PARK, DEALER REPLACED WIPER MOTOR AND WIRE HARNESS. DEALER REPLACED HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND TERMINAL. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING MOTOR MOUNTS BUSTED, AND POWER STEERING WAS LOST. *AK
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AFTER A STEERING FAILURE AND SMOKE WAS POURING FROM THE HOOD. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS A TOTAL LOST.
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *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