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: 18 of 96 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.
Visibility. 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 →
Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
96 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 1999
TiresCrashInjury
I AM ON MY 5TH SET OF TIRES IN 58000 MILES. DEALER REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING AND WILL NOT HAVE FACTORY REP. SEE CAR EVEN THOUGH I HAVE REQUESTED SAME. FORD HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING EVEN AFTER SEVERAL CALLS AND LETTERS. LAST TIRE FAILURE RESULTED IN CAR LEAVING ROAD AND GOING INTO DITCH. MY PREGNANT DAUGHTER WAS WITH ME AND WAS VER…
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I AM ON MY 5TH SET OF TIRES IN 58000 MILES. DEALER REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING AND WILL NOT HAVE FACTORY REP. SEE CAR EVEN THOUGH I HAVE REQUESTED SAME. FORD HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING EVEN AFTER SEVERAL CALLS AND LETTERS. LAST TIRE FAILURE RESULTED IN CAR LEAVING ROAD AND GOING INTO DITCH. MY PREGNANT DAUGHTER WAS WITH ME AND WAS VERY SHAKEN. REASON GIVEN BY FORD FOR PREMATURE TIRE WEAR IS THAT I AM AN AGGRESSIVE DRIVER. I AM A 55YR. OLD BUSINESSMAN NOT A DRAG RACING KID. THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ME DRIVE BUT CAN DEDUCE FROM THE FRONT TIRE WEAR THAT I AM AGGRESSIVE. I USE CRUISE CONTROL ALWAYS AND DO MOST OF MY TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE ROADS. EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS WITHIN FORD'S RECOMENDED CAMBER SETTINGS, I AM GOING TO GO TO A PRIVATE GARAGE AND EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT SETTINGS. I CAN NOT PUT UP WITH TIRES THAT FAIL AFTER 10000 MILES. YOU HAVE NO WARNING BECAUSE THE FAILURE IS WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE INSIDE SIDEWALL AND CAN NOT BE SEEN UNLESS THE CAR IS ON A LIFT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #713616
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1999
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic
ONGOING STARTING PROBLEM; VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND VEHICLE STILL REMAINED IN SHO.; ALSO, VEHICLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES MAKING NOISE WHEN APPLIED. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WAS NORMAL FOR ALL VEHICLES. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849451
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE GEAR, VEHICLE'S MOTOR RACES AND LUNGES UNEXPECTEDLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. MJS
NHTSA ODI #548138
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN ACCELERATING VEHICLE PULLS EXTREMELY TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #839691
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL. VISUAL INDICATOR WAS OMITTED AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURING. THE CONSUMER CANNOT TELL IF CRUISE CONTROL HAS BEEN ACTIVATED. ALL OF THE 97 CONTINENTALS DO NOT COME WITH AN INDICTATOR, BUT EARLIER AND LATER MODELS DO SO. *AK
NHTSA ODI #837146
Mileage unknown · May 4, 1999
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING LOT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW BROKE IN THE PROCESS. THE DRIVER'S ARM ALSO BROKE. COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE DUE TO AIR BAG BEING WRAPPED AROUND STEERING WHEEL. VEHICLE HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER DUE TO LACK OF STEERING. THE SEAT BELTS LEFT VERY BAD BRUISES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #837415
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 1999
Suspension
WE HAD A VERY UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR PATTERN THAT RESULTED IN TWO NEW TIRE REPLACEMENTS. AFTER MAKING SEVERAL INQUIRIES AT THE DEALERSHIP AND AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY,I BECAME VERY SUSPICIOUS THAT THE TIRE WEAR WAS DUE TO A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT IS CHARACTERISTIC OF LINCOLNS WITH THIS FRONT END DESIGN. I SUBMITTED A CUSTOMER REVIEW REQUES…
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WE HAD A VERY UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR PATTERN THAT RESULTED IN TWO NEW TIRE REPLACEMENTS. AFTER MAKING SEVERAL INQUIRIES AT THE DEALERSHIP AND AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY,I BECAME VERY SUSPICIOUS THAT THE TIRE WEAR WAS DUE TO A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT IS CHARACTERISTIC OF LINCOLNS WITH THIS FRONT END DESIGN. I SUBMITTED A CUSTOMER REVIEW REQUEST TO FORD VIA THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO PROGAMS OR RECALLS FOR THIS CONCERN. I NO LONGER OWN THE VEHICLE, BUT AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION WHICH SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE TIRE WEAR AND ONE OF THE TIRES IN MY POSSESSION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #704787
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 1999
Steering
WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN THE GEAR RACK IN THE STEERINC COLUMN MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. THE GEAR RACK IS CRACKED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTATCED. *AK
THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1997 Lincoln Continental Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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