IllustrationAIR RIDE CONTROL SYSTEM WENT OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWAY DOWN TO ROAD. HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEMS. *AK
1992 Lincoln Continental
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Continental years
Owner complaints for the 1992 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: 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 reportsBRAKE PEDAL RETURNS SLOWLY, SOMETIMES DOES NOT RETURN AT ALL. DEALER HAS TSB PUBLISHED ABOUT PROBLEM - 92-19-2 ABS PEDAL RETURNS SLOW: NEW BRAKE BOOSTER. REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE BOOSTER IS NECESSARY, HOWEVER, DEALER DOES NOT FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE - THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT ALWAYS RETURN ! THIS MEANS THE BRAKES DO NOT ALWAY…
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BRAKE PEDAL RETURNS SLOWLY, SOMETIMES DOES NOT RETURN AT ALL. DEALER HAS TSB PUBLISHED ABOUT PROBLEM - 92-19-2 ABS PEDAL RETURNS SLOW: NEW BRAKE BOOSTER. REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE BOOSTER IS NECESSARY, HOWEVER, DEALER DOES NOT FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE - THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT ALWAYS RETURN ! THIS MEANS THE BRAKES DO NOT ALWAY DISENGAGE!*AK
ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEWOUT PREMATURELY, CAUSING COOLANT TO GO INTO PISTON. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THE 1992 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL EXECUTIVE SERIES HAS MANY PROBLEMS. I COULD NOT EVEN SELL IT TO A USED CAR DEALER DUE TO ITS KNOWN DEFECTS. REAR AIR SUSPENSION BLEW OUT (BOTH AT THE SAME TIME WHILE DRIVING) HEAD GASKET IN AN ENGINE THAT GETS IT'S OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES OR SO. FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY READY …
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IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THE 1992 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL EXECUTIVE SERIES HAS MANY PROBLEMS. I COULD NOT EVEN SELL IT TO A USED CAR DEALER DUE TO ITS KNOWN DEFECTS. REAR AIR SUSPENSION BLEW OUT (BOTH AT THE SAME TIME WHILE DRIVING) HEAD GASKET IN AN ENGINE THAT GETS IT'S OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES OR SO. FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY READY TO FALL OFF. VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED. AIR CONDITIONING THAT COMPLETELY BECAME DISFUNCTIONAL.
CONTROL DATA CENTER (CDL) FAILURE CONTIUOUSLY. FORD SAYS TYPICAL WITH THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT RECCOMEND REPLACING. CAN NOT GET CORRECT DATA ALL THE TIME (IE)GAS AMOUNT, OIL GUAGE, WATER GAUGE ETC... CONTIUOUS BEEPING. VERY PRICY TO REPAIR. HAPPENS ON MANY LINCOLNS*AK
ALL FOUR SHOCK ABSORBERS WENT OUT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING . ALSO, AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM WOULDN'T WORK, DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH SPEEDOMETER WILL DIE, CONSUMER STILL KEEPS SAME SPEED, BUT READING IS ZERO.*AK
TWO YEARS AGO I HAD THE REAR AIR BAGS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER AT A COST OF $1500. AT THE BEGINING OF THIS YEAR THE FRONT AIR BAGS STARTED TO GO. LIKE THE REARS THE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IS SPORATIC.SOMETIMES THE CAR LOWERS ITSELF OVERNIGHT, OTHER TIMES IT HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT OTHER EARLY 90'…
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TWO YEARS AGO I HAD THE REAR AIR BAGS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER AT A COST OF $1500. AT THE BEGINING OF THIS YEAR THE FRONT AIR BAGS STARTED TO GO. LIKE THE REARS THE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IS SPORATIC.SOMETIMES THE CAR LOWERS ITSELF OVERNIGHT, OTHER TIMES IT HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT OTHER EARLY 90'S CONTINENTALS AND TOWNCARS IN MY AREA SAG AT THE FRONT OR REAR OF THE CAR. I AM WONDERING IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED OTHER REPORTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I ALSO KNOW THAT LINCOLN NO LONGER USES THIS SYSTEM. *AK
WHILE DRIVING HOOD LATCH REMAINED LATCHED IN PLACE, BUT HOOD FLEW UP, BLOCKING DRIVERS VIEW, AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD AND ROOF. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
Official recalls
398V323000 · 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.
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.
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
8EA96024 · 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