RoadVitals

1994 Lincoln Continental Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
87
Latest Jul 24, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
46%
of 190 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1994 Lincoln Continental submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 87 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 87, in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Jul 24, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE SUDDENLY DECREASED AND A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID
10616064
Incident
Jul 1, 2013
Mileage
85,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Dec 26, 2012
Crash reported

THE CAR ALWAYS BEEPS OVERHEATS AND LOSES STEERING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10490100
Incident
Dec 18, 2012
Mileage
143,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 9, 2005

CONTINUATION OF PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. RESPONSE FROM LETTER TO PRES. OF FORD ON 3.8L V6 ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WITH 54,436 MILES ON IT: FORD BASICALLY SAID "TOUGH LUCK". DEALER SAYING $1,700 TO $3,000 PLUS TO FIX. MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMS ME THERE IS ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE. THERE ARE SEVERAL PRODUCT AVAILABLE TO FIX THE HEAD GASKET IN THE CAR. ONE HE HAS USED, AND WORKS, IS "STEEL SEAL". COST ABOUT $70 FOR PRODUCT, PLUS A NEW THERMOSTAT, AND NEW COOLANT. I FIGURE WORST CASE AROUND $400 FOR EVERYTHING. IT'S WORTH THE GAMBLE. AS IT IS NOW THE CAR IS JUNK OR THE REPAIR FROM FORD IS MORE THAT THE VALUE OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
10142338
Incident
Oct 23, 2005
Mileage
54,432 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 24, 2005

1) SUDDEN ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE 2) BLOWN HEAD GASKET WITH GRAY/WHITE SMOKE FROM BOTH EXHAUST PIPES 3) NO CORRECTION DONE SO FAR. PARKED CAR AND TRYING TO DETERMINE PROPER STEP TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10140677
Incident
Oct 23, 2005
Mileage
54,344 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

VEHICLE TAKES AWHILE TO HEAT, COOLENT OKAY, NO EXTERNAL LEAKS, REMOVED PLUGS AND FOUND SIGNS OF COOLENT IN #4 CYL. REPLACED HEAD GASKETS AND SENT HEADS OUT TO MACHINE SHOP. APPEARS TO BE OKAY NOW. ON 06/01/99 AT CALL BACK FOR LEAKING HEAD GASKET THEY FOUND IT LEAKING AND REPLACED GASKETS AT NO CHARGE, THEM ON 08/11/99 THEY FOUND MY ENGINE BANGING AND SAID GASKETS LEAKED AND DAMAGED LOWER BEARINGS AND THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE AT NO CHARGE. ON 04/02/02 THE GASKETS LEAKED AGOAIN AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ID
10070216
Incident
Apr 15, 2002
Mileage
40,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 15, 2004

CAR CURRENTLY HAS A COVER ON IT AND DOESN'T RUN BECAUSE OF A BAD TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID
10068956
Incident
Feb 15, 2002
Mileage
43,692 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 3, 2003

THE OWNER DROVE THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. WORK WAS DONE TO THE GASKETS. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE COST WOULD BE 1200.00 FOR FURTHER GASKET REPAIR WORK. THE OWNER REFUSED, AND FELT THAT HE WAS BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OFF. *AK *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10044311
Incident
Jul 29, 2003
Mileage
96,809 mi
EngineSteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 4, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, AND THE BACK SUSPENSION WENT OUT, DRIVER ALSO HAD PROBLEM WITH STEERING.*AK

NHTSA ID
10031950
Mileage
100,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningEngineOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 18, 2003
1 death reported

AFTER CAR INSPECTED AND SEVERAL REPAIRS COMPLETED ON MY 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL, EXECUTIVE SERIES IN GOOD CONDITION, THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND THE DEALERSHIP STATED TO TRADE-IN THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10028548
Incident
Jul 3, 2003
Engine
Filed Mar 13, 2003

THE HEAD GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED.*AK *JB VECHILE STALLED OUT AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. CONSUMER LEARNED OF EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 100,000 MILES/7 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER DEALER WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE REPAIRS BECAUSE VEHICLE IS OLDER THAN 7 YEARS. VEHICLE IS JUST UNDER MILEAGE WITH 92,046 MILES. *TT

NHTSA ID
10009708
Mileage
92,046 mi
ElectricalEngineTransmission
Filed Feb 11, 2003

THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE ALTERNATOR BURNED OUT.*SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10006080
Incident
Jan 20, 2000
Mileage
25,701 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 4, 2003

I NEVER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS ON THE 94 LINCOLN CONT. AFTER PAYING FOR THE REPAIR I RESEARCHED INFO. IN ALLDATA & THERE WAS A GENERAL RECALL (TSB00M09). I CONTACTED THE DEALERS & IT WAS STILL OPEN UNDER MY VIN #. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO VARIOUS DEALERS BUT NOT ONE OF THEM HAD THE INTEGRITY TO LET ME KNOW ABOUT THIS LINGERING PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10005242
Incident
Dec 6, 2002
Body & structureBrakesEngine+2 more
Filed Feb 3, 2003

THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: RECALL HEAD MOUNT , SUBFRAME, AIR BAG SUSPENSION SYSTEM, AIR SHOCK, REAR STABILIZER AND REAR SHOCK SENSORS-BOUNCING/BOBBING IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, RIGHT REAR TIRE, LEFT REAR AIR STRUT-WAS BLOWN AND WAS DRAGGING DOWN IN BACK, A CONVERSION OF SUSPENSION WAS DONE TO CONVERT TO COIL SPRINGS AND REPLACE ALL 4 STRUTS AND HARDWARE, RECALL BRAKE & MOTOR MOUNT-BRAKE GRINDING, HEAD GASKET, AND INNER TIE ROD. (RECALL #'S 94V129000 & 97V019000) SCC

NHTSA ID
10004669
EngineTires & wheels
Filed Feb 3, 2003

ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID
567838
Incident
Jul 6, 2002
Mileage
34,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Dec 21, 2002

ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, TRUNK WILL NOT GO UP NOR DOWN. CAR WOULDN'T CUT OFF EVEN WHEN THE KEY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION SHOCKS AND SUSPENSION-SHOCKS ARE CONSISTENTLY BEING REPLACED FOR UNKNOWN PURPOSES. INCLUDING THE AIR SUSPENSION. SY OVER HEATING- RADIATOR AND THERMOSTATS WAS REPLACED AND HAS GONE BAD WITHIN 1 WEEK. TS

NHTSA ID
10000337
Incident
Aug 17, 2002
Engine
Filed Nov 30, 2002

THIS VEH. HAS PREVIOUS SAFETY AND GENERAL RECALLS ON THE ABOVE PROBLEMS. TSB95S22 AND TSB97S66 RE ENG COOLING FAN AND GENERAL RECALLS TSB 98M01 AND TSB00M00 HEAD GASKET RECALLS. THE FORD MOTOR CO AS WELL AS THE DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO HONOR THE RECALLS STATING THEIR 7 YR OR 100,000 EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD. THERE IS A PREVIOUS CUSTOMER COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST THIS MFG ON 01/10/2002, ODIID: 757852. I FEEL THAT IF THIS MFG. CAN NOT HONOR A SAFETY OR GENERAL (RELATED) RECALL FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICE AND THE SAFETY OF THE MOTORING PUBLIC THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THE VEHICLES FROM THE HIGHWAY AND DISMANTLE THEM FOR THE NON RECALLABLE PARTS. THIS VEHICLE AND OTHERS LIKE IT ARE BEING OPERATED IN AREAS OF HEAVY FOG CONDITIONS. EMMISSIONS FROM CRANKCASE HEAD GASKETS BLOWING ALONG WITH HEAVY FOG CONDTIONS CAN AND WILL CONTINUE TO CAUSE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES. MY VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN MOBILE/BALDWIN COUNTIES HEAVY FOG ALONG THE I-10 BAYWAY (MOBILE/BALDWIN CO.) HAS ALREADY HAD SEVERAL TRAFFIC FATALITIES THAT ARE FOG AND EMMISSION CONDITIONS . AS ALABAMA HAS NO EMISSION CONTROLS IN PLACE THE NHTSA SHOULD INSIST ON THIS MFG HONORING THE SAFETY AND GENERAL RECALLS TO PROTECT THE MOTORING PUBLIC. DT

NHTSA ID
770277
Incident
Nov 25, 2002
Engine
Filed Oct 29, 2002

THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THE ROAD WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING DUE TO FAULTY HEAD GASKET AND POSSIBLE CRACKED HEAD OR BLOCK. *YH

NHTSA ID
567828
Engine
Filed Oct 15, 2002

I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN MARCH 2002, BUT BY MID-JULY, IT WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. MY COLLEGE-AGE SON WAS DRIVING IT HOME FROM WORK WHEN IT OVERHEATED & HE HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. AFTER IT COOLED OFF, HE ADDED WATER & DROVE TO A SAFER PLACE WHERE HE ADDED MORE WATER & COOLANT, THEN TRIED TO GET HOME. THE CAR STALLED ON THE SERVICE ROAD/RAMP TO THE TOLLWAY & HAD TO BE PUSHED ASSIDE WITH THE HELP OF A POLICEMAN. I HAVE SINCE BECOME AWARE THAT THERE IS A MAJOR MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THIS CAR REGARDING A FAULTY HEAD GASKET. FORD HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES/7 YEARS, BUT WON'T COVER MY CAR SINCE IT'S NOW OLDER THAN 7 YEARS. MR

NHTSA ID
768470
Incident
Jul 16, 2002
Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2002

HEAD GASKET HAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THE GASKET LEAKING. CONTACTED DEALER.* AK

NHTSA ID
8019164
Incident
Sep 22, 2002
Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2002

ENGINE BLEW OUT WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT T ROD COULD HAVE COME THROUGH THE ENGINE.AK

NHTSA ID
8019159
Incident
Sep 10, 2002
Engine
Filed Aug 11, 2002

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
765509
Incident
Feb 13, 2002
EngineTransmission
Filed Aug 9, 2002

THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS POORLY DESIGNED SINCE IT FAILED AT ONLY 56000 MILES, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE (AXOD-E TRANSMISSION). NLM

NHTSA ID
566694
Incident
Jun 29, 1999
ElectricalEngineInterior & seats+1 more
Filed Apr 25, 2002

THIS CAR HAS SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH I HAVE PAID TO GET FIXED SUCH AS THE AIR RIDE CONTROL COMPRESSOR, THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, ALL FUSES, WIRING UNDER THE SEAT, LIGHTS ACROSS THE DASH, THE EMERGENCY FLASHER WOULD NOT TURN OFF. OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO THIS CAR WITHIN DAYS OF PURCHASE RADIATOR, TIMING CHAIN AND ALL OIL SEALS,DOOR HANDLES MECHINAM. I CAN NOW FEEL A RATTLE BENEATH MY FEET AS I DRIVE. HAS THERE EVER BEEN A RECALL ON THIS CAR? MY MOTHER HAS ONE LIKE IT AND HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WHICH HAS EXTENDED TO THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID
761216
Incident
Dec 12, 2001
Engine
Filed Apr 24, 2002

VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING DOWN A HILL AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND STALLED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK *YH

NHTSA ID
8008525
Engine
Filed Jan 31, 2002

WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING, CAUSING IT TO SHAKE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8003303

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .