IllustrationHAVE TAKEN THIS CAR TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR REPAIRS, TO NO AVAIL. MOTOR KNOCKS DRASTICALLY, ENGINE LEAKS WHEN PARKED ON SLIGHT DOWNHILL SLOPE, NEW SHOCKS/STRUTS SQUEAK TERRIBLY, LOUD THUNKING NOISE IN REAR END WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. GAS MILEAGE VERY ERATIC, REAR HIGH MOUNT BRAKE ASSEMBLY MELTED. HELP!
1994 Lincoln Continental
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Continental years
Owner complaints for the 1994 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: 17 of 190 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 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
85 reportsIT IS PROOF THAT THE 3.8L ENGINE HAS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT TO HEAD GASKETS AT THE TIME THE HEAD GASKET LET GO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC VISABILITY WAS ZERO THE OUTCOME COULD BE LOSS OF LIFE IF CAR CRASHED INTO A POLE THE STEAM THAT CAME OUT OF THE EXAHUST WAS SO GREAT.ALSO CAR CAN STALL AND LOSS OF CONTROL IS ALSO A FACTOR. IT IS A K…
Read full complaint
IT IS PROOF THAT THE 3.8L ENGINE HAS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT TO HEAD GASKETS AT THE TIME THE HEAD GASKET LET GO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC VISABILITY WAS ZERO THE OUTCOME COULD BE LOSS OF LIFE IF CAR CRASHED INTO A POLE THE STEAM THAT CAME OUT OF THE EXAHUST WAS SO GREAT.ALSO CAR CAN STALL AND LOSS OF CONTROL IS ALSO A FACTOR. IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND RECALL OF THERE PRODUCT WHOULD BE IN THE BEST INTREST OF SAFTY
LEFT WHEEL SEAL TO THE TRANSMISSION HAS A LEAKAGE. ALSO, ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WHICH CAUSED OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE, AND RADIATOR TO LEAK ANTI-FREEZE. IN ADDITION, DRIVER'S SIDE LEFT WINDOW FELL DOWN INSIDE THE DOOR THIS WAS THE FOURTH TIME THAT CINSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *AK
ENGINE GASKET BLEW. FORD SAYS IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM, MBP INSURANCE SAYS IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM. LINCOLN DEALER SAYS THEY WON'T LOOK AT IT UNTIL WE AGREE TO PAY FOR THEM TO TEAR THE ENGINE DOWN. MINIMUM OF $700.00.
RIGHT FRONT MOTOR MOUNT BUSTED. ALSO, AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING/ ENGINE RAISED UP 8 INCHES, AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD STICK. *AK HEAD GASKET BLOWN AND REPLACED. *YH
THE HEAD GASKET WENT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FAILURE IN FORD'S 3.8L ENGINE. THIS FAILURE IS KNOWN TO FORD AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
VEHICLE IS OVERHEATING DUE ENGINE HEAD GASKET THAT BLOWING OUT. *AK
ENGINE BLEW,PROBABLY DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE. HEAD GASKET HAD BEEN REPLACED AT RECALL 8 MONTHS PRIOR TO ENGINE FAILURE. HAD CAR IN TO DEALER FOR COOLANT LEAK, JUST 300MI BEFORE ENGINE FAILURE.NEITHER DEALER OR FORD WOULD TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILY FOR ENGINE FAILURE
THIS FAILURE DETECTED SIMILAR WORK IN THIS AREA, PRIOR TO MY OWNERSHIP. IS THIS A LEMON RESOLD AFTER HEAD GASKET/TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE AS A FORD PROGRAM CAR? THE MILEAGE OF BEARING REPLACEMENT IS VERY, VERY LOW. WE PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH 31K SO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WERE HIDDEN FROM US.
WE PURCHASED CAR AS A COMPANY PROGRAM AND FOUND THINGS WRONG AT THAT TIME WHICH INDICATED CAR HAD BEEN IN SOME SORT OF ACCIDENT WHICH WE WERE NOT INFORMED OF TILL WE DISCOVERED THINGS LATER, SUCH AS INSIDE OF BACK RIM BENT, PIECES OF GLASS INSIDE BACK PAKAGE TRAY, RUBBER BUMPER MISSING ON 2 LEFT DOORS, AND AIR BAG WARNING WIRES …
Read full complaint
WE PURCHASED CAR AS A COMPANY PROGRAM AND FOUND THINGS WRONG AT THAT TIME WHICH INDICATED CAR HAD BEEN IN SOME SORT OF ACCIDENT WHICH WE WERE NOT INFORMED OF TILL WE DISCOVERED THINGS LATER, SUCH AS INSIDE OF BACK RIM BENT, PIECES OF GLASS INSIDE BACK PAKAGE TRAY, RUBBER BUMPER MISSING ON 2 LEFT DOORS, AND AIR BAG WARNING WIRES UNHOOKED INSIDE STEERING WHEEL. AT 35000 MILES THE HEAD GASKET BLEW ON MOTOR(COVERED BY WARRANTY) THEN RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 50000 MILES WE HAD 2 MASS AIR SENSORS FAIL, THEN THE IDLE CONTROL AND AT 56000 MILES FOUND LOW KNOCK IN ENGINE AND WHEN OPENED FOUND MANY WORN AND BAD PARTS IN ENGINE TO THE POINT WE HAD TO PUT NEW ENGINE IN CAR AT OUR OWN EXPENSE. DEALERS OR FORD MOTOR CO. WOULD NOT PAY ANY. CAR HAD ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT 2000 MILES SINCE WE'VE HAD IT AND DIDN'T USE ANY OIL. WE BELIEVE THIS FAILURE UNCALLED FOR AT THIS MILEAGE WITH THIS HIGH PRICED OF A CAR. THE LOCAL DEALER SHIP HAD 4 CARS IN THEIR SHOP AT THE SAME TIME WITH THIS 3.8 V6 ENGINE BEING REPLACED. ALSO FOUND A FORD VAN IN THE COMMUNITY AT A DIFERANT DEALER WITH SAME MOTOR OUT AT JUST UNDER 50000 MILE. SEEMS TO ME WITH THE CARE WE GAVE CAR AND THE DAMAGE FOUND TO THE CRANKSHAFT. PISTONS AND CAMSHAFT OF OUR ENGINE, THESE ENGINES MUST BE FAULTY FROM START.
Official recalls
598V323000 · 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.
94V129000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
Jul 12, 1994
THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD RETAINER (HAIRPIN CLIP) MAY BE MISSING OR NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED ON THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAN CAUSE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKE PUSHROD AND LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RETAINER.
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
2EA96024 · 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.