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1998 Lincoln Continental

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Lincoln Continental do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 32.

About this comparison →
72Owner complaints

Model-year median: 32

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
70
199548
199696
199772
199842
199963
200032
2001
Compare all Continental years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
14Vehicle Speed Control
13Electrical System
7Power Train
7Visibility
6
All reported categories
Seat Belts
5Structure
5Air Bags
4Equipment
3Exterior Lighting
3Steering
3Suspension
3Tires
3Seats
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Unknown Or Other
2Fuel System, Other
1Interior Lighting
1Visibility/wiper
1Wheels
1

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 72 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 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

Suspension complaints

3 reports
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59,000 miles · Mar 27, 2005
SuspensionTires

#1-WHILE LEAVING WORK THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED IN HALF PUNTURING (TEARING) THE TIRE CAUSING IMMEDIATE DEFLATION OF LEFT FRONT TIRE AFFECTING STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKING.(I HAD NO ADVANCE NOTICE -NOISE OR BOUNCE-BEFORE FAILURE). #2-FAILURE OCCURED IN A PARKING LOT AT LOW SPEED - THANKFULLY. #3-THE LEFT FRONT STRUT/…

Read full complaint

#1-WHILE LEAVING WORK THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED IN HALF PUNTURING (TEARING) THE TIRE CAUSING IMMEDIATE DEFLATION OF LEFT FRONT TIRE AFFECTING STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKING.(I HAD NO ADVANCE NOTICE -NOISE OR BOUNCE-BEFORE FAILURE). #2-FAILURE OCCURED IN A PARKING LOT AT LOW SPEED - THANKFULLY. #3-THE LEFT FRONT STRUT/SPRING ASSEMBLY #1F3Z*5W311*AA WAS REPLACED AS WELL AS THE RIGHT STRUT/SPRING #1F3Z*5W310*AA ASSEMBLY DUE TO INSPECTION REVIELED A CRACK IN THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING.THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS REPLACED. THIS COULD EASILY HAVE CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE OR A FATALITY AT DRIVING SPEEDS. I HAVE OLD PARTS FOR INSPECTION - THEY REMIND ME HOW LUCKY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AT TIME OF FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10114809

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2000
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH, GETTING OFF HIGHWAY, AND THEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN, A PART ON FRONT SUSPENSION FELL DOWN HARD ON GROUND. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY, AND DEALER COULD NOT TELL WHAT CAUSED PROBLEM. *AK BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED, IT REQUIRD FLAT BED TRUCK TOWING. *YH

NHTSA ODI #876573

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 1998
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ALMOST ANY SPEED, GOING OVER ANY KIND OF BUMP IN THE ROAD, THERE IS A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END SUSPENSION. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, DEALER STATED THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROLBEM, AND WORKING ON A SOLUTION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #822902

Official recalls

1

98V028000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Feb 10, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.

Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.