IllustrationAIR SHOCKS WONT STAY INFLATED. HAS COST CONSUMERS THOUSANDS TO REPLACE. *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
What owners actually said
190 reportsHEADLIGHTS WILL ALL THE SUDDEN GO OFF, THEN COME BACK ON, DOES THIS CONTINUOUSLY AND INTERMITTENTLY. THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THIS EVER SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT BY OTHER MOTORIST AND HAVE HAD MOTORIST FLASH THEIR LIGHTS. ALSO, I HAVE NEARLY RUN OFF THE ROAD WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DARK ROAD. I CONTACTED …
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HEADLIGHTS WILL ALL THE SUDDEN GO OFF, THEN COME BACK ON, DOES THIS CONTINUOUSLY AND INTERMITTENTLY. THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THIS EVER SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT BY OTHER MOTORIST AND HAVE HAD MOTORIST FLASH THEIR LIGHTS. ALSO, I HAVE NEARLY RUN OFF THE ROAD WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DARK ROAD. I CONTACTED NHSTA BY TELEPHONE ON MONDAY 4/30/2001.*AK
INTERMITTENTLY HEADLIGHTS WILL SHORT OUT, RESULTING IN POOR VISIBILITY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK ALSO, ANTILOCK BRAKES LOCKUP PERIODICALLY. *YH
ON 4/12/01 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING ON I-75N AT APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH IN THE CENTER LANE. TRAFFIC BEING HEAVY IN ALL LANES.. ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING NORTH IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AT A SLOWER SPEED PULLED OVER INTO MY LANE WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS UNABLE TO AVOID COLLISION WITH THIS VEHECLE. AS A RESULT OF THE…
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ON 4/12/01 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING ON I-75N AT APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH IN THE CENTER LANE. TRAFFIC BEING HEAVY IN ALL LANES.. ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING NORTH IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AT A SLOWER SPEED PULLED OVER INTO MY LANE WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS UNABLE TO AVOID COLLISION WITH THIS VEHECLE. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT MY DRIVERSIDE AIRBAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL BUT DIDN'T FULLY INFLATE.ON IMPACT TO THE LEFT REAR AND SIDE PANEL OF THE OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED. AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE EVEN THOUGH I WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT I WAS THROWN FORWAED ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL. I FEEL THAT BECAUSE THIS AIRBAG DIDN'T INFLATE ALTHOUGH IT WAS TRIGGERED BY THE SENSERS TO DEPLOY, CAUSED ME TO RECEIVE MY INJURIES. HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE FORD MOTER CONSUMER DIVISION TO WHICH THEIR REPLY WAS I WOULD HAVE TO GET MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO LITIGATE ANY COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES. AFTER TALKING WITH THEM, AND AFTER THE STATE HIGHWAY PATROL FORMALLY RECORDED EVERYTHING! INCLUDING TAKING PHOTOGRAPH OF THE COLLISION AND ALSO THE FAILED AIRBAG! I FIND MYSELF POSSIBLY LOSING THE SIGHT OF AN EYE AS A RESULT OF TRUAMA TO THE HEAD THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THIS AIRBAG HAD FULLY DEPLOYED. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH IS THE FACT THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG FULLY DEPLOYED AND INFLATED ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK OF THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF MY RIGHTS TO ANY LIABILITY REGARDING THE FAILURE OF THIS AIRBAG . WHAT RECOURSE CAN I TAKE AND WHO CAN YOU ADVISE I CONTACT AT FORD MOTER LINCOLN DIVISION? I SPOKE TO A GOOD FRIEND WHO GAVE ME AN ADDRESS FOR FORD MOTOR COMPANY LITIGATION PRESENTATION P.O. BOX 43358 DETROIT, MICH 48243 . I AM UNABLE TO GET ANY COOPERATION FROM FORD CONSUMER AS TO HOW THIS DEPARTMENT CAN BE CONTACTED BY PHONE OR EMAIL. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM OF THE FAILED AIRBAG MIGHT CAUSE ME TO LOSE THE SIGHT OF MY RIGHT EYE. I AM EVEN MORE CONCERNED FOR OTHER CONSUMER'S WHO MIGHT NOT BE AS LUCKY AS I AM. PLEASE ADVISE !*AK
WHEN CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT HEAD GASKET AND FRONT TIMING CASE WERE LEAKING. ALSO, BRAKE /PADS AND SHOES/ MACHINE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER REGARDING SERVICE PROGRAM 98M01, PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. ONLY EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM AFTER THIS PROGRAM…
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WHEN CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT HEAD GASKET AND FRONT TIMING CASE WERE LEAKING. ALSO, BRAKE /PADS AND SHOES/ MACHINE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER REGARDING SERVICE PROGRAM 98M01, PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. ONLY EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM AFTER THIS PROGRAM'S EXPIRATION DATE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK
CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBILE HEAD GASKET FAILURE, VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF TROUBLE, HOWEVER ON A SEPARATE OCCASSION, CONSUMER WAS ON HER WAY TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGHLY, JUST AS SHE WAS TURNING INTO DEALERSHIP THE OVERHEATING WARNING BEGAN TO SOUND, UPON I…
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CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBILE HEAD GASKET FAILURE, VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF TROUBLE, HOWEVER ON A SEPARATE OCCASSION, CONSUMER WAS ON HER WAY TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGHLY, JUST AS SHE WAS TURNING INTO DEALERSHIP THE OVERHEATING WARNING BEGAN TO SOUND, UPON INSPECTION THERE WAS A HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSING COOLANT BEING IN THE CYLINDERS AND THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN. *JB
VEHICLE OVERHEATED, AND STALLED. ALSO, THERE WAS AN ANTIFREEZE SMELL. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS HEAD GASKET. THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK
THE REAR AIR SHOCK ABSORBER ASSEMBLY SYSTEM FAILED PREMATURELY. NLM
VEHIOCLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED DUE TO IGNITION MODULE AND STARTER FAILURE. A SOLNOID FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE VERHICE TO STALL. *YH
WITH INVESTIGATION SEEMS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM, CAN BE DANGEROUS COULD COAST INTO INTERSECTION AND BE UNABLE TO MOVE. WITH PRACTICE CAN BE OVERCOME BY REVING ENGINE WHILE COMING TO A STOP. WHY NO RECALL WAS MADE WHEN FORD KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM STILL A MYSTERY. *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.