RoadVitals

1987 Lincoln Continental

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Oct 26, 2001
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Sep 4, 1987
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
6
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Lincoln Continental, most frequently naming the suspension, electrical and transmission categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 6 NHTSA investigations name it; and 22 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Suspension325.0%
  • Electrical216.7%
  • Transmission216.7%
  • Brakes18.3%
  • Interior & seats18.3%
  • Engine18.3%
  • Heating & air conditioning18.3%
  • Driver assistance18.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
87V139000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Sep 4, 1987
3,600,000 units potentially affected
The defect: SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
The risk: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
The remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP95004ClosedDefect Petition

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

Opened Aug 8, 1995
Closed Aug 30, 1995

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
EA94008ClosedEngineering Analysis

BROKEN TIE RODS

Opened Feb 16, 1994
Closed Feb 27, 1995

There is no summary currently available

STEERING
PE93058ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

BROKEN TIE RODS

Opened Jun 15, 1993
Closed Feb 16, 1994

There is no summary currently available

STEERING
PE93036ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE

Opened Apr 12, 1993
Closed Aug 4, 1993

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSION

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 9
Transmission
Filed Oct 26, 2001

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. I DROVE HOME ABOUT 5 MILES. KNOWING A LITTLE ABOUT CARS I LIFTED THE HOOD TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE LEVEL WAS FINE BUT THE FLUID LOOKED A LITTLE DARK TO ME. I SMELLED THE FLUID AND IT SMELLED BURNT. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN FINE UP TO THAT POINT SO I LOOKED AROUND TO SEE IF I COULD SEE ANYTHING ELSE WRONG. I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL CABLE THAT ATTACHES TO THE THROTTLE WAS HANGING LOOSE. I TOOK OUT MY SHOP MANUAL AND COPIED THE PAGE WITH THE LINKAGE ON IT AND WENT TO A LINCOLN DEALER. I BOUGHT THE $1 PLASTIC PART THAT HOLDS THE LINKAGE ON AND RETURNED HOME. I REATTACHED THE LINKAGE AND HAPPILY DROVE OFF THINKING NO BIG DEAL. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FINE FROM FIRST TO SECOND BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD OR FOURTH. I CALLED A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. HE KNEW RIGHT AWAY WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND TOLD ME THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS RUINED. HE EXPLAINED WHY AND I HAD NO DOUBT THAT HE WAS CORRECT. IT WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME HE HAD SEEN THAT HAPPEN. I CONTACTED FORD BY EMAIL. THEY WOULD NOT HELP OUT IN ANY WAY AND SUGGESTED THAT I SHOULD HAVE SERVICED THE CAR REGULARLY AT A FORD/LINCOLN DEALERSHIP AND THAT THIS WOULD HELP TO PREVENT SUCH A PROBLEM. I WROTE BACK ASKING FOR THE NAME OF A MECHANIC THAT COULD PREDICT THAT TYPE OF PART FAILURE BY LOOKING AT IT AND I WOULD GO TO THAT PERSON. THEY SENT ME NO NAME. IF THIS TRANSMISSION FAILED DO TO ABUSE, LACK OF CARE, OR EVEN AGE, I WOULD NOT HAVE CONTACTED FORD OR NHSTA. IT FAILED BECAUSE FORD USED A PLASTIC PART THAT WOULD ALMOST SURELY BECOME BRITTLE AND BREAK WITH AGE. I SPENT $1400.00 TO GET IT REPAIRED BECAUSE FORD USED AN INEXPENSIVE PLASTIC PART TO HOLD LINKAGE TOGETHER ON AN EXPENSIVE TRANSMISSION. I WOULD HAVE CONTACTED YOU SOONER BUT WITH ALL THE TROUBLE FORD HAD WITH TIRE FAILURES I WANTED TO WAIT FOR THAT TO DIE DOWN. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN. THANKS, PAUL SCHRADIECK. *AK

NHTSA ID
753701
Incident
Jul 20, 2000
Suspension
Filed Oct 12, 2001

FRONT WHEELS AND TIRES ARE NOT ABLE TO CLEAR THE WHEEL-WELL, RESULTING IN FULL TURNING RADIAUS FAILURE. THERE IS A CONVERSION KIT TO CHANGE THE SUSPENSION FROM AIR-RIDE TO GIL SPRINGS, IF NOT CHANGED THERE IS A PONTENTIAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ID
9004605
Incident
Apr 1, 2001
Electrical
Filed Jul 23, 2001

THE IGNITION MODULE ON VEHICLE BECAME INOPERATIVE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AS CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT, ITS LOCATION BEING ON THE DISTRIBUTOR.*YD

NHTSA ID
562199
Suspension
Filed Oct 30, 1997

WHILE DRIVING, RIGHT FRONT AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FELL DOWN ON RIGHT TIRE; ALMOST CAUSED VEHICLE TO TURN OVER, DEALER REPLACING AIR SUSPENSION. SYSTEM. VARIOUS SPEEDS.*AK

NHTSA ID
818016
Incident
Oct 26, 1997
Suspension
Filed Apr 23, 1997

FAILURE OF AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. VEHICLE RIDES ON AXLE ; HARD STEERING AND ROUGH RIDING. VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT HAS BEEN IN FOR SAME PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ID
809659
Incident
Dec 16, 1996
BrakesHeating & air conditioningElectrical
Filed Aug 7, 1996

WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSES THE ABS TO GO OUT AS WELL AS THE AIR CONDITIONING.AK

NHTSA ID
800599
Incident
Aug 7, 1996
Engine
Filed Apr 22, 1996
Fire reported

DURING THE AM HOURS SMOKE ENTERED THE HOUSE THROUGH THE GARAGE AND BURNED IT DOWN. *AK

NHTSA ID
983201
Incident
Feb 5, 1996
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 18, 1996
Fire reported

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, COMPARTMENT FIRE UNDER THE DASH, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK

NHTSA ID
982925
Incident
Jun 1, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01156

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

0015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

99222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

99196

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

99152

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lincoln Continental by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020720—
2019323054.7
2018182053.5
2017744055.9
2002331042.1
2001322044.0
2000634261.9
1999423260.9
1998722052.5
1997962047.3
1996483048.2
1995702257.4
19941905258.0
19931214556.8
19921263859.2
19912033764.2
19901585665.1
19891585866.7
19888491168.2
1987Viewing916—
1986854—
1985152370.0
1984622—
1983231—
1982121—
1981100—
1980010—
1979220—
1978100—
1977111—
1976010—
1975130—
1974010—
1969010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.