1988 Lincoln Continental Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1988 Lincoln Continental, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical3024.4%
- Brakes2016.3%
- Body & structure1310.6%
- Steering108.1%
- Engine108.1%
- Suspension97.3%
- Interior & seats75.7%
- Transmission64.9%
- Driver assistance43.3%
- Heating & air conditioning32.4%
- Tires & wheels32.4%
- Airbags21.6%
- Powertrain (other)21.6%
- Visibility21.6%
- Other / unspecified10.8%
- Seat belts10.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD AN IGNITION PROBLEM THAT CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL, DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT SINCE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF IGNITION PROBLEM.*JB
NYLON SHIELD WIRING HARNESS LOCATED IN ENGINE COMPERTMENT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO HEAT AND MELTING OF NYLON MATERIAL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURATHER INFORMATION.*AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECALL REPAIR 91V-134 OF THE BRAKE ROTORS WAS NOT REPAIRED IN A TIMELY MANNER DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. NLM
FUEL LINE FROM GAS TANK TO ENGINE IS LEAKING AT RIGHT DOOR PILLAR UNDRBODY. INSPECTION REVEALS THE GAS LINE TO BE PLASTIC OF SOME TYPE, AND THE LEAK IS AT THE JUNCTION OF WHERE 2 LENGHTS OF FUEL LINE ARE JOINED TOGETHER AT THE FACTORY. IMMINENT FIRE HAZARD. HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ON MECURY SABLES AND FORD TAURUS' SECOND PROBLEM, REAR SWAY BAR, REAR SWAY BAR IS ATTACHED TO THE BODY, BUT THE 2 SUSPENSION LINKS THAT ATTACH TO THE ENDS OF THE SWAY BAR ARE BROKEN OR RUSTED. VEHICLE HANDLES DIFFENTLY WHILE MANUEVERING, FEEL THIS TO BE MAJOR CONCERN AS WELL . *AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
SUBFRAME BUSHINGS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 93V-106, CONSUMER RQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
THE MOUNTS BETWEEN THE BODY AND SUBFRAME BELIEVED TO BE CALLED THE BODY INSULATORS WHICH HOLD THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION IN PLACE FAILED DUE TO ERROSION. THE MOUNTING BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINIG WASHER AND THE RUBBER MOUNT ALLOWING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO FALL ONTO THE GROUND. BOTH REAR MOUNTS FAILED AND IN THE PROCESS DISCONNECTED THE STEERING LINKAGE AT THE SLIP JOINT UNDER THE DASH WHICH ALLOWS FOR THE TILT STEERING. THIS STEERING JOINT COMPLETLY SEPARATED BECAUSE OF THE DISTANCE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL FROM THE ASSEMBLY FALLING. ALL STEERING WAS LOSS AND THERE WAS NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICAL AVAILABLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK!!!! PEOPLE WILL BE HURT IF NOT KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM ESPECIALLY IF INCOUNTERED AT HIGH SPEEDS OR TRAFFIC. LINCOLN HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND I HAVE FOUND PREVIOUS RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT ONLY IN HIGH ERROSION STATES, MI, CT IL ECT..... I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS LARGER THAN ONCE THOUGHT DUE TO THE WAY THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. THE WASHERS USED ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO RUST BECAUSE OF THE CONTOURS AND GAUGE OF THE METAL USED. IT HAS NOTHING TO DUE TO THE AREA THAT A CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN. THE FACT THERE ARE NO SAFETY CATCHES UNDER THE CAR IS SIMPLY WRONG. UNDER THE PREVIOUS RECALLS IT IS STATED THAT THE STEERING MAY BECOME HARD TO CONTROL WHEN THE MOUNTS FAIL. THE STEERING IS NOT HARD TO CONTROL BUT IS IMPOSSIBLE, IT IS NO LONGER CONNECTED. THE DIRECTION YOU ARE TRAVELING AT THE TIME OF FAILURE IS THE DIRECTION YOU CONTINUE TO FOLLOW UNTIL STOPPED OR REDIRECTED BY THE FORCES OF NATURE. THE PROBLEM IS APPARENT IN THE MERCURY SABLE, FORD TAURUS AS WELL AS THE LINCOLN CONTINENTIAL. PLEASE REEXAMINE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE PEOPLE DIE, I CANT BEGIN TO EXPLAIN HOW LUCKY I AND FAMILY WERE. THANKYOU, RC
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE MOUNTS BETWEEN THE BODY AND SUBFRAME BELIEVED TO BE CALLED THE BODY INSULATORS WHICH HOLD THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION IN PLACE FAILED DUE TO ERROSION. THE MOUNTING BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINIG WASHER AND THE RUBBER MOUNT ALLOWING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO FALL ONTO THE GROUND. BOTH REAR MOUNTS FAILED AND IN THE PROCESS DISCONNECTED THE STEERING LINKAGE AT THE SLIP JOINT UNDER THE DASH WHICH ALLOWS FOR THE TILT STEERING. THIS STEERING JOINT COMPLETLY SEPARATED BECAUSE OF THE DISTANCE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL FROM THE ASSEMBLY FALLING. ALL STEERING WAS LOSS AND THERE WAS NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICAL AVAILABLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK!!!! PEOPLE WILL BE HURT IF NOT KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM ESPECIALLY IF INCOUNTERED AT HIGH SPEEDS OR TRAFFIC. LINCOLN HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND I HAVE FOUND PREVIOUS RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT ONLY IN HIGH ERROSION STATES, MI, CT IL ECT..... I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS LARGER THAN ONCE THOUGHT DUE TO THE WAY THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. THE WASHERS USED ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO RUST BECAUSE OF THE CONTOURS AND GAUGE OF THE METAL USED. IT HAS NOTHING TO DUE TO THE AREA THAT A CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN. THE FACT THERE ARE NO SAFETY CATCHES UNDER THE CAR IS SIMPLY WRONG. UNDER THE PREVIOUS RECALLS IT IS STATED THAT THE STEERING MAY BECOME HARD TO CONTROL WHEN THE MOUNTS FAIL. THE STEERING IS NOT HARD TO CONTROL BUT IS IMPOSSIBLE, IT IS NO LONGER CONNECTED. THE DIRECTION YOU ARE TRAVELING AT THE TIME OF FAILURE IS THE DIRECTION YOU CONTINUE TO FOLLOW UNTIL STOPPED OR REDIRECTED BY THE FORCES OF NATURE. THE PROBLEM IS APPARENT IN THE MERCURY SABLE, FORD TAURUS AS WELL AS THE LINCOLN CONTINENTIAL. PLEASE REEXAMINE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE PEOPLE DIE, I CANT BEGIN TO EXPLAIN HOW LUCKY I AND FAMILY WERE. THANKYOU, RC
VEHICLE OVERHEATS.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING WHILE IN REVERSE OR INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT MULTIPLE SPEED. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TOOK BACK TO BE USED. DEALER REPLACED ALTERNATOR. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, LATER. TOOK VEHICLE BACK & WAS INFORMED THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. *AK
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, ALMOST ALL LINCOLN'S WITH THIS AIR SUSPENSION HAS EXPERIENCED COSTLY REPAIRS.*AK
FUEL LINE FROM GAS TANK TO ENGINE IS LEAKING AT RIGHT DOOR PILLAR UNDRBODY. INSPECTION REVEALS THE GAS LINE TO BE PLASTIC OF SOME TYPE, AND THE LEAK IS AT THE JUNCTION OF WHERE 2 LENGHTS OF FUEL LINE ARE JOINED TOGETHER AT THE FACTORY. IMMINENT FIRE HAZARD. HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ON MECURY SABLES AND FORD TAURUS' SECOND PROBLEM, REAR SWAY BAR, REAR SWAY BAR IS ATTACHED TO THE BODY, BUT THE 2 SUSPENSION LINKS THAT ATTACH TO THE ENDS OF THE SWAY BAR ARE BROKEN OR RUSTED. VEHICLE HANDLES DIFFENTLY WHILE MANUEVERING, FEEL THIS TO BE MAJOR CONCERN AS WELL . *AK
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON UNTIL CONSUMER PUSHES ON THROTTLE SWITCH. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
DIGITAL DASH WITH INDICATORS CANNOT BE READ IN DAYLIGHT. DEALER CONTACTED AND WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. STATED IT WAS A DESIGN DEFECT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION ONLY OPERATE IN REVERSE, ALL FORWARD GEAR SARE INOPERATIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
RECALL 88V101000; AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE DOES NOT MEET FORD'S PULL OUT LOAD SPECIFICATIONS FOR SWIVEL TUBE PORTION OF CABLE, WHICH COULD ALLOW THE SWIVELTUBE TO SEPARATE FROM SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY. PLEASE PROVIE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER PUTS VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE. *AK
A/C CLUTCH AND BEARING FAULTY, CAUSING VIBRATION IN AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY FELL OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, AND EXTENSIVE VEHICLE DAMAGE PRIOR TO RECAL NOTICE 98536. *YC
CONSUMERS FRONT END SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY FELL OUT CAUSING DRIVER TO LOOSE STEERING CONTROL PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE. CAMPAIGN #93V106
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
SPARE TIRE BLEW OUT IN TRUNK CAUSING DAMAGE TO TRUNK AND CONTENTS OF TRUNK. *DSH
TIE ROD FAILED. (SECOND CAR ON 502297) *DH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT 10 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT WINDSHIELD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY DETAILS. *AK
A/C CLUTCH AND BEARING FAULTY, CAUSING VIBRATION IN AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER HAS MANY PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE ODOMETER TAMPERING. CONSUMER WILL LIST PROBLEM . TT
CV BOOT REPLACED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM REPAIRS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHICH CAUSED ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS.
A/C CLUTCH AND BEARING FAULTY, CAUSING VIBRATION IN AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEEL FELL OFF CAUSING VEHICLE DAMAGE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT 10 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT WINDSHIELD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY DETAILS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .