IllustrationONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING WHILE IN REVERSE OR INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT MULTIPLE SPEED. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
1988 Lincoln Continental
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1988 Lincoln Continental do not stand out strongly from 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: 0 of 84 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.
- Electrical System. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports10 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
84 reportsTRANSMISSION ONLY OPERATE IN REVERSE, ALL FORWARD GEAR SARE INOPERATIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON UNTIL CONSUMER PUSHES ON THROTTLE SWITCH. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, ALMOST ALL LINCOLN'S WITH THIS AIR SUSPENSION HAS EXPERIENCED COSTLY REPAIRS.*AK
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD AN IGNITION PROBLEM THAT CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL, DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT SINCE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF IGNITION PROBLEM.*JB
NYLON SHIELD WIRING HARNESS LOCATED IN ENGINE COMPERTMENT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO HEAT AND MELTING OF NYLON MATERIAL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURATHER INFORMATION.*AK
RECALL 88V101000; AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE DOES NOT MEET FORD'S PULL OUT LOAD SPECIFICATIONS FOR SWIVEL TUBE PORTION OF CABLE, WHICH COULD ALLOW THE SWIVELTUBE TO SEPARATE FROM SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY. PLEASE PROVIE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
I CONTACTED FORD ON 01/30/01 IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA'S RECALL #88V118000. EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEMS THAT MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ARE IDENTICAL TO THOSE MENTIONED ON YOUR SITE, FORD SAID MY VIN WAS NOT AFFECTED. I EXPLIANED TO THEM THAT MY PROBLEMS WERE IDENTICAL AND I WANTED THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE DEFICIENCIES. FORD REFUSED TO…
Read full complaint
I CONTACTED FORD ON 01/30/01 IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA'S RECALL #88V118000. EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEMS THAT MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ARE IDENTICAL TO THOSE MENTIONED ON YOUR SITE, FORD SAID MY VIN WAS NOT AFFECTED. I EXPLIANED TO THEM THAT MY PROBLEMS WERE IDENTICAL AND I WANTED THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE DEFICIENCIES. FORD REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE PROBLEMS ARE AS FOLLOWS; BRAKE WARNING LIGHT,,NO BRAKE PRESSURE,,TURN SIGNALS INOPERATIVE, AUTO CLIMATE CONTROL AND FAN INOPERATIVE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISITANCE, JEFF CRANE.*AK
WHEN TURNING OFF IGNITION CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. PROBLEM MIGHT BE LINKED TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSED A FIRE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
SUBFRAME BUSHINGS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 93V-106, CONSUMER RQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
Official recalls
998V323000 · 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.
93V106000 · Structure:frame And Members
Jun 23, 1993
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS AND SABLES BUILT FROM 10-14-85 THROUGH 8-19-88, AND LINCOLN CONTINENTALS BUILT FROM 11-4-87 THROUGH 9-30-88 (EXCEPT 1989 - 1991 2.5L TAURUS AND 1989 - 1992 SHO). THE AFFECTED CARS WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, AND WISCONSIN. THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, MAY BECOME DETACHED DUE TO CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT RETAINING PLATE. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF ONE OF THE REAR CORNERS DROPS, ONLY MINOR INDICATIONS OF A MALFUNCTION SUCH AS A CLUNKING NOISE OR SLIGHT CHANGE IN STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT ARE NOTICEABLE. HOWEVER, IF BOTH REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME DROP, STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL A CORROSION-RESISTANT REINFORCING PLATE AND A NEW BOLT ON BOTH REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS. THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.
91V134000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor
Aug 6, 1991
FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEVERELY CORRODED ROTORS MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE NEARTHE INNER EDGES OF THE BRAKE DISCS RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS,HIGHER THAN NORMAL PEDAL EFFORTS, LOUD GRINDING NOISES, AND MODERATE PULLS WHENTHE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS MAY INCREASE MINIMUMSTOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
89V057000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Apr 4, 1989
PROCESS USED FOR CONNECTING THE GAS LINES WAS SUBSTANDARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A GAS LEAK COULD DEVELOP CREATING A FIRE POTENTIAL.
Remedy: INSTALL STANDARD GAS LINE COMPRESSION FITTINGS.
88V118000 · Electrical System:wiring
Jul 22, 1988
ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT CONTROLS CURRENT TO BRAKE PUMP MOTOR RELAY, HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER MOTOR, TURN SIGNALS, AND A ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER MAY OVERHEAT DUE TO INABILITY OF IGNITION CIRCUIT WIRING CONNECTIONS TO DISSIPATE HEAT GENERATED BY ELECTRICAL LOADS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BRAKE PUMP MOTOR WILL NOT OPERATE, SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCINGBRAKING CAPABILITY; BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON.
Remedy: REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH AND MODIFY SWITCH WIRING.
88V114000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood
Jul 19, 1988
NYLON SHIELDED WIRING HARNESS, LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO HEAT DAMAGE AND MELTING OF THE NYLON MATERIAL IN 100 DEGREE PLUS WEATHER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: MELTED NYLON SHIELD COULD DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDAND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: WRAP WIRING HARNESS WITH HEAT RESISTANT FIBERGLASS TAPE.
88V101000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
Jun 27, 1988
TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLES MAY NOT MEET FORDS PULL OUT LOAD SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE SWIVEL TUBE PORTION OF THE CABLE, WHICH COULD ALLOW THE SWIVEL TUBE TO SEPARATE FROM THE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OPERATOR WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT FROM ONE OF THEDRIVE GEARS INTO PARK POSITION.
Remedy: REPLACE SHIFT CABLE.
88V030000 · Suspension:rear:springs:coil Springs
Mar 11, 1988
TWO TORSION SPRINGS ATTACHED TO REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS MAY FRACTURE AND RUB AGAINST A REAR TIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF TIRE INFLATIONPRESSURE WITH POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL TORSION SPRING SEATS TO RESTRICT THE SPRINGS FROM CONTACTING THE TIRE IF THEY SHOULD FRACTURE.
88V027000 · Seat Belts
Mar 8, 1988
DRIVER AND RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER INBOARD SEAT BELTS MAY BE IMPROPERLY ANCHORED DUE TO LOOSE NUTS THAT COULD BACK OFF.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BELT ANCHOR COULD DISENGAGE THE STUD; AN UNATTACHED BELTASSEMBLY WOULD NOT WITHSTAND AN IMPACT LOAD.
Remedy: INBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES WILL BE CORRECTED TO PREVENT LOOSENING.
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
11RQ97009 · Rear Lower Subframe Assembly
Opened Aug 29, 1997 · Closed Feb 16, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:frame And Members
TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CARS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL 93V-106 SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE PHENOMENON, AND TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS REMEDY FAILURE ISSUE
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure:frame And Members
TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CARS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL 93V-106 SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE PHENOMENON, AND TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS REMEDY FAILURE ISSUE
Structure:frame And Members
TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CARS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL 93V-106 SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE PHENOMENON, AND TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS REMEDY FAILURE ISSUE
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
EA92040 · SUB-FRM/UNIBODY Absor.fail
Opened Nov 30, 1992 · Closed Jun 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure
There is no summary currently available
Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE92056 · SUB-FRM/UNIBODY Absor.fail
Opened Jul 1, 1992 · Closed Nov 30, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE92014 · Engine Mount Failure
Opened Feb 4, 1992 · Closed Jun 25, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
EA90045 · Brake Disc Hub Separations
Opened Sep 28, 1990 · Closed Sep 12, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
===
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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PE89157 · Ps Pump Pulley Breaks
Opened Aug 23, 1989 · Closed Sep 15, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
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PE89026 · Air Suspension Failure
Opened Dec 20, 1988 · Closed Apr 12, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE88100 · Abs Failure
Opened Sep 6, 1988 · Closed Apr 17, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available