IllustrationENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *AK
1994 Lincoln Continental
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Continental years
Owner complaints for the 1994 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: 17 of 190 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 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
85 reportsTHE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: RECALL HEAD MOUNT , SUBFRAME, AIR BAG SUSPENSION SYSTEM, AIR SHOCK, REAR STABILIZER AND REAR SHOCK SENSORS-BOUNCING/BOBBING IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, RIGHT REAR TIRE, LEFT REAR AIR STRUT-WAS BLOWN AND WAS DRAGGING DOWN IN BACK, A CONVERSION OF SUSPENSION WAS DONE TO CONVERT TO COIL…
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THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: RECALL HEAD MOUNT , SUBFRAME, AIR BAG SUSPENSION SYSTEM, AIR SHOCK, REAR STABILIZER AND REAR SHOCK SENSORS-BOUNCING/BOBBING IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, RIGHT REAR TIRE, LEFT REAR AIR STRUT-WAS BLOWN AND WAS DRAGGING DOWN IN BACK, A CONVERSION OF SUSPENSION WAS DONE TO CONVERT TO COIL SPRINGS AND REPLACE ALL 4 STRUTS AND HARDWARE, RECALL BRAKE & MOTOR MOUNT-BRAKE GRINDING, HEAD GASKET, AND INNER TIE ROD. (RECALL #'S 94V129000 & 97V019000) SCC
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, TRUNK WILL NOT GO UP NOR DOWN. CAR WOULDN'T CUT OFF EVEN WHEN THE KEY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION SHOCKS AND SUSPENSION-SHOCKS ARE CONSISTENTLY BEING REPLACED FOR UNKNOWN PURPOSES. INCLUDING THE AIR SUSPENSION. SY OVER HEATING- RADIATOR AND THERMOSTATS WAS REPLACED AND HAS GONE BAD WITHIN 1 WEEK. TS
THIS VEH. HAS PREVIOUS SAFETY AND GENERAL RECALLS ON THE ABOVE PROBLEMS. TSB95S22 AND TSB97S66 RE ENG COOLING FAN AND GENERAL RECALLS TSB 98M01 AND TSB00M00 HEAD GASKET RECALLS. THE FORD MOTOR CO AS WELL AS THE DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO HONOR THE RECALLS STATING THEIR 7 YR OR 100,000 EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD. THERE IS A PREVIOUS…
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THIS VEH. HAS PREVIOUS SAFETY AND GENERAL RECALLS ON THE ABOVE PROBLEMS. TSB95S22 AND TSB97S66 RE ENG COOLING FAN AND GENERAL RECALLS TSB 98M01 AND TSB00M00 HEAD GASKET RECALLS. THE FORD MOTOR CO AS WELL AS THE DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO HONOR THE RECALLS STATING THEIR 7 YR OR 100,000 EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD. THERE IS A PREVIOUS CUSTOMER COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST THIS MFG ON 01/10/2002, ODIID: 757852. I FEEL THAT IF THIS MFG. CAN NOT HONOR A SAFETY OR GENERAL (RELATED) RECALL FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICE AND THE SAFETY OF THE MOTORING PUBLIC THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THE VEHICLES FROM THE HIGHWAY AND DISMANTLE THEM FOR THE NON RECALLABLE PARTS. THIS VEHICLE AND OTHERS LIKE IT ARE BEING OPERATED IN AREAS OF HEAVY FOG CONDITIONS. EMMISSIONS FROM CRANKCASE HEAD GASKETS BLOWING ALONG WITH HEAVY FOG CONDTIONS CAN AND WILL CONTINUE TO CAUSE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES. MY VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN MOBILE/BALDWIN COUNTIES HEAVY FOG ALONG THE I-10 BAYWAY (MOBILE/BALDWIN CO.) HAS ALREADY HAD SEVERAL TRAFFIC FATALITIES THAT ARE FOG AND EMMISSION CONDITIONS . AS ALABAMA HAS NO EMISSION CONTROLS IN PLACE THE NHTSA SHOULD INSIST ON THIS MFG HONORING THE SAFETY AND GENERAL RECALLS TO PROTECT THE MOTORING PUBLIC. DT
THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THE ROAD WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING DUE TO FAULTY HEAD GASKET AND POSSIBLE CRACKED HEAD OR BLOCK. *YH
I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN MARCH 2002, BUT BY MID-JULY, IT WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. MY COLLEGE-AGE SON WAS DRIVING IT HOME FROM WORK WHEN IT OVERHEATED & HE HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. AFTER IT COOLED OFF, HE ADDED WATER & DROVE TO A SAFER PLACE WHERE HE ADDED MORE WATER & COOLANT, THEN TRIED TO GET H…
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I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN MARCH 2002, BUT BY MID-JULY, IT WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. MY COLLEGE-AGE SON WAS DRIVING IT HOME FROM WORK WHEN IT OVERHEATED & HE HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. AFTER IT COOLED OFF, HE ADDED WATER & DROVE TO A SAFER PLACE WHERE HE ADDED MORE WATER & COOLANT, THEN TRIED TO GET HOME. THE CAR STALLED ON THE SERVICE ROAD/RAMP TO THE TOLLWAY & HAD TO BE PUSHED ASSIDE WITH THE HELP OF A POLICEMAN. I HAVE SINCE BECOME AWARE THAT THERE IS A MAJOR MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THIS CAR REGARDING A FAULTY HEAD GASKET. FORD HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES/7 YEARS, BUT WON'T COVER MY CAR SINCE IT'S NOW OLDER THAN 7 YEARS. MR
HEAD GASKET HAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THE GASKET LEAKING. CONTACTED DEALER.* AK
ENGINE BLEW OUT WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT T ROD COULD HAVE COME THROUGH THE ENGINE.AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS POORLY DESIGNED SINCE IT FAILED AT ONLY 56000 MILES, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE (AXOD-E TRANSMISSION). NLM
Official recalls
598V323000 · 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.
94V129000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
Jul 12, 1994
THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD RETAINER (HAIRPIN CLIP) MAY BE MISSING OR NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED ON THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAN CAUSE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKE PUSHROD AND LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RETAINER.
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
2EA96024 · 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.