IllustrationHEAD GASKET FAILURE IN A 3.8L V6 ENGINE CAUSES VEHICLE TO RUN ROUGH, WHITE SMOKE TO COME FROM TAIL PIPE,COOLANT LEAKAGES, AND OVERHEATING. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. *AK *SLC
1993 Lincoln Continental
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Continental years
Owner complaints for the 1993 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: 10 of 121 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 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 12 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 reports2 fire reports3 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
73 reportsVEHICLE HAD BLOWN A HEAD GASKET TWICE WITHIN PAST TWO YEARS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK DURING REPLACEMENT OF RADIATOR AND POWER STEERING THE MECHANIC POURED, BY MISTAKE, A METAL CLEANER INTO THE RADIATOR WHICH RESULTED IN UNPLEASANT ODOR. THE CUSTOMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE RADIATOR SE…
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VEHICLE HAD BLOWN A HEAD GASKET TWICE WITHIN PAST TWO YEARS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK DURING REPLACEMENT OF RADIATOR AND POWER STEERING THE MECHANIC POURED, BY MISTAKE, A METAL CLEANER INTO THE RADIATOR WHICH RESULTED IN UNPLEASANT ODOR. THE CUSTOMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE RADIATOR SEALS, HOSES AND THE ENGINE BY THAT CHEMICAL BEFORE IT WASH FLUSHED OUT. THERE IS A NOISE PROBLEM WHICH SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING THAT WAS NOT THERE BEFORE THE REPLACEMNT OF THE POWER STEERING HOSES. *YH
BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK
THE HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN, CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE AND IT BEING A 1993 FORD HAS DECIDED NOT OT INCLUDE THE VEHICLE WITHIN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. *AK
ENGINE MOUNTS BROKE, CAUSING ENGINE TO RISE AND BECOME UNSECURE. *AK THE ENGINE MOUNT BREAKING ALSO CAUSED REAR BRAKE AND ROTOR FAILURES. THE FRONT TIRES WAS DAMAGE. *YH
NO SUMMARY
NO SUMMARY
LATELY I HAVE BEEN GETTING A THUMP EVERY TIME I SHIFT INTO GEAR SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WAS THE MOTOR MOUNTS. I CHECKED AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL. I CALLED THE FORD SERVICE CENTER AT TEL. 1-800-392-3673 AND TALKED TO SOMEONE NAMED CHRITOPHER AT THE LINCOLN DIVISION.…
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LATELY I HAVE BEEN GETTING A THUMP EVERY TIME I SHIFT INTO GEAR SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WAS THE MOTOR MOUNTS. I CHECKED AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL. I CALLED THE FORD SERVICE CENTER AT TEL. 1-800-392-3673 AND TALKED TO SOMEONE NAMED CHRITOPHER AT THE LINCOLN DIVISION. I GAVE HIM ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND THE SAFETY-RECALL. HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A 6 YEAR LIMIT OR 60,000 LIMIT ON THAT SAFETY-RECALL AND THAT I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE TO HAVE THE WORK DONE ON THE MOTOR MOUNTS, UNLESS I PAID FOR IT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR FIXING THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE AUTOMOBILE. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS, ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES, HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 53419 MILES AND AGAIN AT 68564 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, ENGINE OVERHEATED, ANTIFREEZE WAS IN TAILPIPE AND OIL IN RADIATOR, MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE 11/95 WITH 28005 MILES. CONSUMER STATED IT WAS NOISY WHILE TURNING STEERIN…
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VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS, ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES, HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 53419 MILES AND AGAIN AT 68564 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, ENGINE OVERHEATED, ANTIFREEZE WAS IN TAILPIPE AND OIL IN RADIATOR, MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE 11/95 WITH 28005 MILES. CONSUMER STATED IT WAS NOISY WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL, DEALER REPLACED TIE ROD END. AIR CONDITIONER WAS INOPERABLE DUE TO MANIFOLD SET AND ACCUMULATER RUSTED THROUGH. TAPE PLAYER ATE TAPES. WIPERS WOULD NOT PARK, DEALER REPLACED WIPER MOTOR AND WIRE HARNESS. DEALER REPLACED HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND TERMINAL. *SLC
I WAS TOLD BY FOR THAT ONLY THE 1994 MODELS ARE BEING INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THIS IS NOT RIGHT IT IS NOT THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE BUT IT IS THE 3.8 L ENGINE THAT IS BAD REGUARDLESS OF WHAT YEAR IT IS IN!*AK
Official recalls
498V323000 · 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.
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
5EA96024 · 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
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