IllustrationTRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING INTO WORK ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. TOTAL REBUILD REQUIRED AT 87456 MILES ON CAR, COST $1800.
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
Power Train complaints
20 reportsCAR CURRENTLY HAS A COVER ON IT AND DOESN'T RUN BECAUSE OF A BAD TRANSMISSION.
THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE ALTERNATOR BURNED OUT.*SCC *JB
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
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THERE WAS LOTS OF SMOKE INSIDE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.*AK
A PISTON CRACKED WITHIN TRANSMISSION, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK COMPUTER FAILED WHILE REPAIRING TRANSMISSION. ALSO, THE HEAD GASKET BLEW UP AT 50000 MILES. *YH
AFTER STOP TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL NOT BACK INTO DRIVE FORDS PISTON FAILURE IS COMMON. *AK
VEHICLE STARTED AND HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. VEHICLE WAS RECALLED #98M01KITBB, AND MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, VEHICLE HAD PROBLEM WITH GOING INTO GEAR. GEAR SHIFT GOT STUCK, IT WAS HARD, AND IT PULLED. THERE WAS NO SPEED. FLUIDS WON'T STAY IN VEHICLE. *AK
GEARS WILL STICK IN DRIVE UNTIL DRIVER TURNS KEY OFF AND WAITS A FEW MINUTES, AND THEN CUT BACK ON. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
WITHOUT PREVIOUS SYMPTOMS OR WARNING SIGNS, ON A FULLY MAINTAINED VEHICHLE, THE FACTORY TRANSMISSION REQUIRES A COMPLETE REBUILD. I DISCOVERED THAT OF THE 152 TSB'S ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL/YEAR, 51 ARE REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS MUST BE REPLACED: TORQUE CONVERTER, PLANTETARY GEAR SYSTEM…
Read full complaint
WITHOUT PREVIOUS SYMPTOMS OR WARNING SIGNS, ON A FULLY MAINTAINED VEHICHLE, THE FACTORY TRANSMISSION REQUIRES A COMPLETE REBUILD. I DISCOVERED THAT OF THE 152 TSB'S ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL/YEAR, 51 ARE REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS MUST BE REPLACED: TORQUE CONVERTER, PLANTETARY GEAR SYSTEM, LUBRICATING PUMP, 4 SOLENOID VALVES, FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON, BANDS, SEALS, EXTERNAL SPEED SENSOR, GASKETS, MISC. PARTS AS REQUIRED. ONLY THE TRANSIMISSION HOUSING IS SALVAGABLE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED US THAT IT "LOOKS LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF" INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAWS IN THIS PRODUCT. 1993 WAS APPARANTLY THE FIRST YEAR THIS RELEASE OF THIS TRANSMISSION WAS USED AND SUBSEQUENT YEARS WERE SUPPOSED THE HAVE REPAIRED THE DESIGN ERRORS INHERENT IN THE SYSTEM. MY CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A STEEL FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON TO CORRECT A PREVIOUS MODELS PROBLEMS, BUT IT HAS, IN FACT, AN ALUMINUM PISTON. MY RESEARCH HAS FOUND A TREND OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION IN LINCOLNS AS WELL AS OTHER FORD PRODUCTS THAT THIS UNIT IS PLACED IN. SPECIFICALLY, THIS IS THE AXOD-E TRANSMISSION. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, AND ONLY THE GRACE OF GOD ALLOWED HIM TO CROSS SEVERAL LANES OF TRAFFIC, AND GET TO THE EMERGENCY SHOULDER WHEN HE LOST ALL USE OF THE TRANSMISSION, WITHOUT PREVIOUS WARNING OR SYMPTOMS OF PROBLEMS. AS THERE HAVE BEEN 4 SAFETY RECALLS AND 3 GENERAL RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE YEAR/MAKE/MODEL, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE ARE BASIS DESIGN FLAWS IN THE VEHICLE. *AK
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.