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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.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

Suspension complaints

11 reports
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126,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

ENGINE (3.8L V6) BLEW HEAD GASKET FIRST TIME AT ~60,000 MILES. DEALER REPAIRED. THIRTEEN MONTHS LATER, ~72,000 MILES, HEAD GASKET BLEW AGAIN. DIFFERENT DEALER REPAIRED, (ANOTHER $1,600 WITH NO HELP FROM MANUFACTURER OR PREVIOUS REPAIRING DEALER). NOW WITH ~126,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, HEAD GASKET MAY HAVE BLOWN AGAIN. ALL THRE…

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ENGINE (3.8L V6) BLEW HEAD GASKET FIRST TIME AT ~60,000 MILES. DEALER REPAIRED. THIRTEEN MONTHS LATER, ~72,000 MILES, HEAD GASKET BLEW AGAIN. DIFFERENT DEALER REPAIRED, (ANOTHER $1,600 WITH NO HELP FROM MANUFACTURER OR PREVIOUS REPAIRING DEALER). NOW WITH ~126,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, HEAD GASKET MAY HAVE BLOWN AGAIN. ALL THREE MOTOR MOUNTS AND HARMONIC STABILIZER WERE REPLACED (ALL MOUNTS WERE LEAKING OR CRACKED).

NHTSA ODI #10070249

50,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSuspension

WE HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WHERE WOULD YOU START. THE REAR AIR BAGS EXPLODED SHORTLY AFTER WE BOUGHT IT. WE HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, COOLENT LEAKS, AND BELT PROBLEMS. ONE TRIP TO OKLAHOMA COST A TRANSMISSION, AND THE NEXT TRIP, THE HEAD GASKETS ON THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #10070108

60,000 miles · Jun 13, 2003
Suspension

AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM GOES BAD WHICH CAUSES THE REAR END TO DRAG. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10023992

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2001
Suspension

TWO OF THE THREE TIMES THE AIR RIDE UNITS EXPLODED THE RESULTING REPORT WAS SIMILAR TO THAT OF A HIGH POWERED RIFLE, STARTLING MYSELF AND THOSE WITHIN HUNDREDS OF YARDS. ALSO THE CAR'S HANDLING WAS SERVERLY IMPAIRED. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELLING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE. I'VE TOLD THE SERVIC…

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TWO OF THE THREE TIMES THE AIR RIDE UNITS EXPLODED THE RESULTING REPORT WAS SIMILAR TO THAT OF A HIGH POWERED RIFLE, STARTLING MYSELF AND THOSE WITHIN HUNDREDS OF YARDS. ALSO THE CAR'S HANDLING WAS SERVERLY IMPAIRED. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELLING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE. I'VE TOLD THE SERVICE PEOPLE THAT THIS SHOULD BE SEEN AS A SAFETY ISSUE BUT THEY HAD NO REPLY.

NHTSA ODI #742294

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2001
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

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

NHTSA ODI #880473

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2000
Suspension

THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS CAR BECAUSE EVERY LINCOLN HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. NO AFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #726967

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

FUEL FILTER FAILED. YH

NHTSA ODI #551834

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2000
Air BagsSuspension

CONSTANT THUMPING NOISE FROM FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION [ LIKE SHOCKS BOTTOMING] DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG. AIR BAG RIDE SYSTEM CONSTANTLY AT LOWEST POINT CAR CAN REST AFTER SITTING MORE THAN ONE HOUR. TAKES 4 OR 5 MINUTES TO REINFLATE AGAIN DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG. *AK

NHTSA ODI #719665

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 1997
Suspension

AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RIDE ROUGH.

NHTSA ODI #519466

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #516722

Official recalls

4

98V323000 · 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

5

EA96024 · 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