IllustrationCOMPRESSOR FOR AC BLEW OUT WITH A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND EMITTED NOTHING BUT HOT AIR NO MATTER WHICH SETTING WAS SELECTED. REPAIR COST WAS $1035.00. *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
What owners actually said
121 reportsI WAS TOLD BY FOR THAT ONLY THE 1994 MODELS ARE BEING INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THIS IS NOT RIGHT IT IS NOT THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE BUT IT IS THE 3.8 L ENGINE THAT IS BAD REGUARDLESS OF WHAT YEAR IT IS IN!*AK
MAJOR PROBLEMS STARTED AFTER MY CAR RECEIVED THE 144,000 MILE SERVICE CHECK (CAR HAD APPROX. $130,000 AT THAT TIME). IN ADDITION TO THE PROVIDED LIST: FEB 00 - TRUNK LATCH ASSEMBLY WENT OUT; FEB 99 - R/R HEADS & GASKETS/COOLANT/ THERMASTAT/ SENSOR/TUNEUP ($1602) DONE DUE TO WORN-OUT HEAD GASKETS; AUG 98 - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ST…
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MAJOR PROBLEMS STARTED AFTER MY CAR RECEIVED THE 144,000 MILE SERVICE CHECK (CAR HAD APPROX. $130,000 AT THAT TIME). IN ADDITION TO THE PROVIDED LIST: FEB 00 - TRUNK LATCH ASSEMBLY WENT OUT; FEB 99 - R/R HEADS & GASKETS/COOLANT/ THERMASTAT/ SENSOR/TUNEUP ($1602) DONE DUE TO WORN-OUT HEAD GASKETS; AUG 98 - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STUCK - OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED ($133), NOV 97 - BLOWER MOTOR SPEED CONTROLLER IGNITION KEY LOCK CYCLINDER REPAIRED DUE TO DEFROST LIGHTS STAYED ON WITH KEY OFF, IGNITION SWITCH INOPERABLE ($375). MY COMPLAINT IS IN EVERY INCIDENT (WHETHER THE CAR HAD 75,000 OR 100,000 MILES), THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A FACTORY PROBLEM WITH THE 1993 & 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTALS. RECALL #97V019000 COVERING THE SAME GASKET/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR THE 1994 SHOULD ALSO COVER THE 1993 LINCOLN. ALL REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE UPKEEP WERE DONE BY THE DEALER REGULARLY. THE MORE THIS CAR IS TAKEN IN FOR MAINTENANCE UPKEEP, IT SEEMS TO DEVELOP INTO MORE EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS. REPLACEMENTS DONE TWICE: HEAD G
HEAD GASKET FAILED. NLM
PLEASE REFER TO ODI#722537 WHICH I FILED LAST WEEK REGARDING BAD HEAD GASKET. DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THIS WEEK THAT ENGINE HAS FAILED AS A RESULT. FORD CO HAS DECLINED ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS REGARD! NEW ENGINE WILL COST ME OVER $4000.00! AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THIS WAS NO NEGLIGENCE ON MY PART BUT A CONTINUED PROBLEM WITH ENGINE…
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PLEASE REFER TO ODI#722537 WHICH I FILED LAST WEEK REGARDING BAD HEAD GASKET. DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THIS WEEK THAT ENGINE HAS FAILED AS A RESULT. FORD CO HAS DECLINED ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS REGARD! NEW ENGINE WILL COST ME OVER $4000.00! AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THIS WAS NO NEGLIGENCE ON MY PART BUT A CONTINUED PROBLEM WITH ENGINE DESIGN. *AK
ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED ON MY CAR. BAD DESIGN OF 3.8L ENGINE. COMPANY HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR YEARS 1994 AND 1995 CONTINENTAL. I HAVE A 1993 SAME ENGINE!! THIS IS THE SECOND VEHCLE (I OWN 1995 WINDSTAR WITH SAME PROBLEM!!) OUT OF WARRANTY HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIR!! FORD CLAIMS THEY CAN'T HELP ON MY LINCOLN!! DOESN'T MAKE SENSE …
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ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED ON MY CAR. BAD DESIGN OF 3.8L ENGINE. COMPANY HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR YEARS 1994 AND 1995 CONTINENTAL. I HAVE A 1993 SAME ENGINE!! THIS IS THE SECOND VEHCLE (I OWN 1995 WINDSTAR WITH SAME PROBLEM!!) OUT OF WARRANTY HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIR!! FORD CLAIMS THEY CAN'T HELP ON MY LINCOLN!! DOESN'T MAKE SENSE IN VIEW OF SAME PROBLEM WITH SAME ENGINE RGARDLESS OF YEAR! MILEAGE IS LOW ENOUGH THAT THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING! PLEASE HELP!! IT'S GOING TO COST ME ANOTHER $1200.00 TO FIX!ELAG. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FORM THE TAIL PIPE AND ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT. DEALER STATED THAT HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
I HAVE A 1993 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WITH A V6 3.8 ENGINE; THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP HAVING THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED. I UNDERSTAND THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RECALLED THE HEAD GASKETS OF V6 3.8 ENGINES ON OTHER VEHICLES, INCLUDING THE 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT FORD IS IGNORING, WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.…
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I HAVE A 1993 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WITH A V6 3.8 ENGINE; THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP HAVING THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED. I UNDERSTAND THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RECALLED THE HEAD GASKETS OF V6 3.8 ENGINES ON OTHER VEHICLES, INCLUDING THE 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT FORD IS IGNORING, WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS BUILT AT THE END OF 1993, AND I KNOW THAT MY ENGINE HAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. I FEEL THIS ENGINE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL PROGRAM. *AK
FUEL FILTER FAILED. YH
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