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: 4 of 126 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 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 16 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 reports6 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
126 reports
130,000 miles · Jun 9, 2015
SteeringSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR SUB-MOUNT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR SUB-MOUNT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10724397
140,000 miles · Jul 2, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I AM USING MY CRUISE CONTROL AND STEP ON THE BRAKE TO DISENGAGE IT THAT THE CAR ACTUALLY SPEEDS UP. I HAVE TO STEP ON THE BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT TO DISENGAGE. IT IS QUITE SCARY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275688
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH A FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10076120
61,774 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE BROKE DOWN WHILE HEADED SOUTH I95 ON 12/26/02 IN PETERBURG,VIRGINIA. FORCED TO RENT A CAR WHILE BEING REPAIRED. REPLACED HEAD GASKETS AND EGO SENSOR AND PERIPHERAL WORK NEEDED. COST: $1,215.89 PLUS RENTAL (STRANDED IN VA) $264.60. TOTAL OF $1,480.49. THIS IS NOT A MAINTENANCE ITEM, BUT A FLAW IN VEHICLE WHICH FORD-LINC…
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VEHICLE BROKE DOWN WHILE HEADED SOUTH I95 ON 12/26/02 IN PETERBURG,VIRGINIA. FORCED TO RENT A CAR WHILE BEING REPAIRED. REPLACED HEAD GASKETS AND EGO SENSOR AND PERIPHERAL WORK NEEDED. COST: $1,215.89 PLUS RENTAL (STRANDED IN VA) $264.60. TOTAL OF $1,480.49. THIS IS NOT A MAINTENANCE ITEM, BUT A FLAW IN VEHICLE WHICH FORD-LINCOLN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED VIA A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. I BELIEVE LATER MODELS 1994? WERE COVERED BY FORD FOR REPAIR EXPENSE. ALSO MY MILEAGE IS A 1000 OVER THAT FOR REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT. BUT THIS VEHICLE REPAIR ALSO SHOULD BE COVERED BY MANUFACTURER BECAUSE IT IS THE SAME FLAWED 3.8 ENGINE!
NHTSA ODI #10069997
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train
HERE IS THE LIST OF PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WITH THIS CAR. 1.PURCHASED FROM BOB MULLEN AUTO BATAVIA NY MILAGE: 58702 ,JUNE 3RD 1999 2.RETURNED CAR 10 DAYS LATER , AC DIDN'T WORK, DEALER REPIRED AT HIS COST OF $500. 3.JAN 2000 REPAIR EXHAUST SYSTEM. MY SHARE OF BILL $514.00 4. 4/28/2000 MONROE MUFFLER, WORK ON FRONT END AIR SUSPENSI…
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HERE IS THE LIST OF PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WITH THIS CAR. 1.PURCHASED FROM BOB MULLEN AUTO BATAVIA NY MILAGE: 58702 ,JUNE 3RD 1999 2.RETURNED CAR 10 DAYS LATER , AC DIDN'T WORK, DEALER REPIRED AT HIS COST OF $500. 3.JAN 2000 REPAIR EXHAUST SYSTEM. MY SHARE OF BILL $514.00 4. 4/28/2000 MONROE MUFFLER, WORK ON FRONT END AIR SUSPENSION, $370 5. 7/28/2000 ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED, COST $152 FOR NEW SWITCHES 6. 9/15/2000 TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER ABS WASN'T WORKING ESTIMATE TO REPAIR..$826, HAD DEALER DISARM ABS 7. DGL ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. HAD TO TAKE CAR TO LINCOLN DEALER,,ESTIMATED COST TO FIX ALL THE THINGS DISCOVERED TO BE BAD, $3480. TOLD THEM I'D TAKE MY CHANCES 8. 4/9/2001 TOOK CAR AGAIN TO MONROE MUFFLER FOR RIGHT AIR SUSPENSION REPLACEMENT, COST $638.... 9. 4/23/2001 CAR RETURNED TO COLE MUFFLER MUFFLERS ROTTED OUT ALREADY WERE REPLACED WITH NEW ONES PLUS PIPES. 10. 5/01/01 TOOK CAR TO AIR CONDITIONING CENTER SAID IT HAD CRACKED HOUSING REPAIR WOULD COST $575. MADE SURE WINDOWS WORKED!!! 11. 7/16/2002 TOOK CAR TO TRANSMISSION CENTER FOR SERVICE. REPLACED SWITCH FOR CAR WOULD GO INTO 2ND GEAR COST $121. STILL NOT WORKING RIGHT. 12. 4/15/2003 OIL PAN STARTED TO LEAK, HAVE HAD TO WELD BUSTED SEAM $125 13. NOT SURE BUT IT SHOWS SIGNS OF OVERHEATING PROBLEMS, WHICH MAY LEAD TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND THE CAR STILL ONLY HAS ABOUT 80,000 MILES!! THE CAR IS A CONTINENTAL BUT HAS BEEN RENAMED TOWN CAR BECAUSE I DON'T DARE TAKE IT OUT OF TOWN.. THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THIS MATTER. THIS CAR HAS GOT TO BE THE REASON FOR THE NYS LEMON LAW
NHTSA ODI #10069694
72,100 miles · Nov 16, 2003
Power Train
1992 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WOULDN'T GO IN GEAR. TURNING IT OFF AND ON IT WOULD GO IN GEAR UNTIL YOU STARTING GOING THEN NOTHING. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10046995
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DEALER REPLACED ROTORS AND PAD FOR A NEW YORK TRIP. BY THE TIME CONSUMER ARRIVED IN NEW YORK BRAKES FAILED. CURRENTLY, BRAKE FLUID LEAK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10039649
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING A COLLISION. AFTERWARDS, THE "ABS" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DEALER NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. TS
NHTSA ODI #10003759
Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WORN MOUNT ALLOWS ENGINE TO SHIFT AND BIND STEERING SO YOU CAN'T TURN TO THE RIGHT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #766835
Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2002
Suspension
REAR AIR SHOCKS WILL CAUSE VEHICLE TO HEAVILY VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
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.
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.
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
8
EA96024 · 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
EA93022 · Idle Air Spd Ctrl Vlv Malf
Opened Jul 30, 1993 · Closed Aug 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
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
PE93010 · Idle Air Spd Ctrl Vlv Malf
Opened Mar 2, 1993 · Closed Jul 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
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
1992 Lincoln Continental Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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