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 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2000
Power Train
SUDDEN FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION. CAME TO A STOP (20 MILES INTO A 250 MILE TRIP) AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY FORWARD GEAR UNLESS I FIRST PUT IT IN REVERSE. THIS HAPPENED AT EVERY STOP. I WAS AFRAID TO STOP AT THE TOLL BOOTHS ON THE ILLINOIS TOLLWAY SO USED THE I-PASS LANE. I MANAGED TO GET TO MY DAUGHTER`S HOUSE IN BOLINGBRO…
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SUDDEN FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION. CAME TO A STOP (20 MILES INTO A 250 MILE TRIP) AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY FORWARD GEAR UNLESS I FIRST PUT IT IN REVERSE. THIS HAPPENED AT EVERY STOP. I WAS AFRAID TO STOP AT THE TOLL BOOTHS ON THE ILLINOIS TOLLWAY SO USED THE I-PASS LANE. I MANAGED TO GET TO MY DAUGHTER`S HOUSE IN BOLINGBROOK, WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #723737
Mileage unknown · May 25, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKETS BLOWN, TOWED TO LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY AND TOLD NEEDS NEW ENGINE WOULD NOT JUST REPLACE HEADGASKER, CALLED DULANEY MOTORS AND THEY SAID ONLY HEADGASKET NEEDS REPAIR SO I AUTHORIZED. IN MAY 2000 TEMPERATURE/OIL GAUGE WOULD BECOME VERY ERRATIC AND ENGINE WARNING BUZZER WOULD SOUND. RETURNED CAR TO DULANEY WHICH THEY KE…
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HEAD GASKETS BLOWN, TOWED TO LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY AND TOLD NEEDS NEW ENGINE WOULD NOT JUST REPLACE HEADGASKER, CALLED DULANEY MOTORS AND THEY SAID ONLY HEADGASKET NEEDS REPAIR SO I AUTHORIZED. IN MAY 2000 TEMPERATURE/OIL GAUGE WOULD BECOME VERY ERRATIC AND ENGINE WARNING BUZZER WOULD SOUND. RETURNED CAR TO DULANEY WHICH THEY KEPT FOR ALMOST A WEEK AND REPORTED NOTHING WRONG, TOOK CAR TO FOX LINC/MERC DEALERAND THEY DIAGNOSED EXCESSIVE ENGINE BEARING WEAR AND ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED. AM WITHOUT A CAR WAITING FOR DULANEY TO ASSESS THE ENGINE PROBLEM.THEY HAVE STATED THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE ENGINE UNLESS I PAY FOR IT. SO BEWARE, VERIFY THE ENGINE DOES NOT NEED REPLACING WHEN THE HEADGASKET BLOWS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #723202
Mileage unknown · May 24, 2000
SteeringStructure
WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH AND COMING OUT A PARKING LOT STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. ALSO, RECALL 98V323000/ MANUFACTURER'S 98S36/ SUBFRAME CORROSION WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #862485
Mileage unknown · May 23, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOW OIL PRESSURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE BEARING WEAR. NLM
NHTSA ODI #784650
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2000
Equipment
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED UPPER RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS WHEN USING AIR CONDITIONER. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WAS FOUND. *AK
NHTSA ODI #862327
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED TO 75000 MILES AND LATER TO 100000 MILES. IT SHOULD BE EXTENDED FURTHER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722981
Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2000
Structure
RECEIVED A LIST OF MANUFACTURER'S RECALLS THAT WERE NOT DONE BEFORE PURCHASE OR RESALE OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT HIS RECOURSE IS IN THIS MATTER. ONE OF THE RECALLS INVOLVED REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #859801
Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD TWO ENGINES, TWO TRANSMISSIONS, TWO SETS OF MOTOR MOUNTS, BEEN IN NUMEROUS TIMES FOR REPAIRS TO THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE HEAD GASKETS BLEW CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. WE SPENT OVER $20,000.00 IN 1999 FOR REPAIRS. WE PAID FOR A RADIATOR THAT WAS NOT DEFECTIVE AT ALL, (JUST FOUND THIS …
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THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD TWO ENGINES, TWO TRANSMISSIONS, TWO SETS OF MOTOR MOUNTS, BEEN IN NUMEROUS TIMES FOR REPAIRS TO THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE HEAD GASKETS BLEW CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. WE SPENT OVER $20,000.00 IN 1999 FOR REPAIRS. WE PAID FOR A RADIATOR THAT WAS NOT DEFECTIVE AT ALL, (JUST FOUND THIS OUT LAST WEEK), A WATER PUMP AND A VALVE BODY AFTER A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. THE 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WAS A "REAL LEMON" AND MORE SHOULD BE DONE TO PROTECT CONSUMERS AGAINST HAVING TO PAY FOR THESE VEHICELS AND THEN HAVING TO PAY TO REBUILD THEM.
NHTSA ODI #720996
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2000
Suspension
REAR AIR SUSPENSION BROKE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #859161
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
I JUST RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT MY ENGINE MAY BE COVERED UNDER SOME RECALL BY FORD. I HAVE PAID TO HAVE MY HEAD GASKETS REPLACED ON MY CAR TWICE AND CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY FORD IS DRAGGING THEIR FEET GIVEN ALL THE DATA THEY ARE AWARE OF. I HOPE MY DATA WILL SOLIDIFY SOME TYPE OF ACTION AGAINST FORD. I'VE LAID OUT OVER $4,000 TO HA…
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I JUST RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT MY ENGINE MAY BE COVERED UNDER SOME RECALL BY FORD. I HAVE PAID TO HAVE MY HEAD GASKETS REPLACED ON MY CAR TWICE AND CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY FORD IS DRAGGING THEIR FEET GIVEN ALL THE DATA THEY ARE AWARE OF. I HOPE MY DATA WILL SOLIDIFY SOME TYPE OF ACTION AGAINST FORD. I'VE LAID OUT OVER $4,000 TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED BECAUSE I LIKE THE CAR AND NOW I FIND OUT THAT FORD KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IF THERE IS ANY FURTHER DATA ABOUT THIS CONDITION, PLEASE CONTACT ME. *AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
2
EA96024 · 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.
1994 Lincoln Continental Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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