IllustrationWHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THERE WAS LOTS OF SMOKE INSIDE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.*AK
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
What owners actually said
190 reportsTHIS CAR HAS SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH I HAVE PAID TO GET FIXED SUCH AS THE AIR RIDE CONTROL COMPRESSOR, THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, ALL FUSES, WIRING UNDER THE SEAT, LIGHTS ACROSS THE DASH, THE EMERGENCY FLASHER WOULD NOT TURN OFF. OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO THIS CAR WITHIN DAYS OF PURCHASE RADIATOR, TIMING CHAIN …
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THIS CAR HAS SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH I HAVE PAID TO GET FIXED SUCH AS THE AIR RIDE CONTROL COMPRESSOR, THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, ALL FUSES, WIRING UNDER THE SEAT, LIGHTS ACROSS THE DASH, THE EMERGENCY FLASHER WOULD NOT TURN OFF. OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO THIS CAR WITHIN DAYS OF PURCHASE RADIATOR, TIMING CHAIN AND ALL OIL SEALS,DOOR HANDLES MECHINAM. I CAN NOW FEEL A RATTLE BENEATH MY FEET AS I DRIVE. HAS THERE EVER BEEN A RECALL ON THIS CAR? MY MOTHER HAS ONE LIKE IT AND HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WHICH HAS EXTENDED TO THE TRANSMISSION.
VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING DOWN A HILL AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND STALLED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK *YH
FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT IS WIDELY KNOWN AT DEALER SERVICE CENTERS. FRONT OR REAR SUSPENSION LOSES ABILITY TO HOLD AIR, AND THE VEHICLE BOTTOMS OUT. BOTH OF MY FAILURES OCCURRED WITH THE CAR PARKED, BUT COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE MOVING. THE CAR SINKS SEVERAL INCHES AND SHOULDN'T BE DRIVEN. BOTH SETS OF COMPONENTS WENT OUT WITHI…
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FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT IS WIDELY KNOWN AT DEALER SERVICE CENTERS. FRONT OR REAR SUSPENSION LOSES ABILITY TO HOLD AIR, AND THE VEHICLE BOTTOMS OUT. BOTH OF MY FAILURES OCCURRED WITH THE CAR PARKED, BUT COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE MOVING. THE CAR SINKS SEVERAL INCHES AND SHOULDN'T BE DRIVEN. BOTH SETS OF COMPONENTS WENT OUT WITHIN MONTHS OF EACH OTHER, WITH TOTAL REPAIRS OF $2692.38. NOT REPAIRING IS NOT AN OPTION BECAUSE THE CAR BODY IS LITERALLY DOWN ON THE FRAME. IF FAILURE IS SO WIDESPREAD, WHY HASN'T MANUFACTURER BEEN REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SERVICE? NLM
AIR SUSPENSION WENT FULL UP FOR SEVERAL MILES, WHILE TRING TO FIND PLACE TO PULL OVER IT WENT DOWN HAS STAYED BOTTOMED OUT SINCE. DEALER IN FLA. SAID UNSAFE TO DRIVE BUT WANTED $3400 TO FIX. DROVE IT HOME TO MI. SLOW AND VERY ROUGH RIDE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING, CAUSING IT TO SHAKE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
CONSUMER STATED INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL LOCKED UP, WHILE DRIVING ON A OFF RAMP AT 30-35MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, MANUFACTURER REFERRED CONSUMER TO A DEALER THAT WOULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND THE ORIGNIAL OWNER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS NOT, THERFORE T…
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CONSUMER STATED INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL LOCKED UP, WHILE DRIVING ON A OFF RAMP AT 30-35MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, MANUFACTURER REFERRED CONSUMER TO A DEALER THAT WOULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND THE ORIGNIAL OWNER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS NOT, THERFORE THE PROBLEM WILL NOT BE COVERED.*YH
WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH SHOCK ABSORBERS EXPLODED AND VEHICLE WENT 1 TO 2 FEET IN AIR BEFORE IT CAME BACK DOWN. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
FRONT SUSPENSION WENT OUT WHILE CAR WAS PARKED, I HAVE SEEN WELL OVER 25 CUSTOMERS WHOM HAAVE CONTACTED NTSA WITH THE SAME PART FAILURE. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO SEE WHT THEY HAD NOT RECALLED THIS PARTICULAR ITEM ON THE CAR AND WAS GIVEN NO ANSWER. BUT TOLD TO GO TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALARSHIP AND HAAVE IT REPAAIRED, KEEP…
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FRONT SUSPENSION WENT OUT WHILE CAR WAS PARKED, I HAVE SEEN WELL OVER 25 CUSTOMERS WHOM HAAVE CONTACTED NTSA WITH THE SAME PART FAILURE. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO SEE WHT THEY HAD NOT RECALLED THIS PARTICULAR ITEM ON THE CAR AND WAS GIVEN NO ANSWER. BUT TOLD TO GO TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALARSHIP AND HAAVE IT REPAAIRED, KEEP MY RECEIPTS AND IF THEY DECIDE (PROBABLE AFTER HUNDREDS MORE COMPLAIN) TO RECALL THE SUSPENSION SOMEWHERE IN THE FUTURE I WILL RECEIVE A LETTER AND IF I HAVE MY RECEIPTS AND IT WAS REPAIRED BY ONE OF THEIR AUTHORIZED AGENTS, THEN AT THAT TIME I MIGHT GET A REFUND. I EXPLAINED TO CUSTOMER SSERVICE THAT I FELT THAT THERE WAS PLENTY EENOUGH EVIDENCE LODGED ON THIS WEBSITE SUPPORTING THE FACT THAT MANY CUTOMERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED LONG TIME AGO. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IN APRIL 2001, I WAS TOLD THE ONLY RECALL THEY HAD WAS ON THE HEAD GASKETS. BUT THERE IS A SSERVICE BULLETIN OUT REGARING NOISES MADE UPON START UP AND SHUT DOWN WHICH ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FRONT AIR SUSPENSION. I FEEL LINCOLN FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR IN THEIR OBVIOUS NEGLECT TO RECALL THIS FAULTY SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND NOTIFY CONSUMERS OF ALL OF THIS YEAR OF LINCOLN PROBLEMS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER CONDITIONS VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING, VEHICLE DOES NOT OVERHEAT, BUT ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AND RESTARTS AFTER 30 MINUTES. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. *AK VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS WHO CAN NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *SLC
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.