RoadVitals

2001 Lincoln Continental Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
32
Latest Apr 17, 2019
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
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.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 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

  • Electrical412.1%
  • Engine412.1%
  • Driver assistance39.1%
  • Steering39.1%
  • Visibility26.1%
  • Transmission26.1%
  • Interior & seats26.1%
  • Other / unspecified13.0%
  • Exterior lighting13.0%
  • Airbags13.0%
  • Powertrain (other)13.0%
  • Seat belts13.0%

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

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AT HOME AND WHEN I TURNED MY STEERING WHEEL, THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SHREDDED THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. I CHECKED THE AREA THAT THE SPRING BROKE, AND IT WAS CLEAN, UNRUSTED METAL, THERE WAS NO SIGN OF AN IMPENDING FAILURE, JUST A SUDDEN BREAK.

NHTSA ID 11006217 · filed Jul 18, 2017

WHILE BACKING THE CAR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING OVERNIGHT, THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT. AFTER REMOVING THE WHEEL, I SAW THAT THE LARGE COIL SUSPENSION SPRING HAD BROKEN AND THAT THE SHARP END OF THE BROKEN SPRING HAD SLICED OPEN THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. THE CAR IS SITTING THE DRIVEWAY WAITING FOR PART I ORDERED. I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT COST $690.00 EACH FOR COIL SPRINGS THAT'S' CRAZY . AND THAT THERE IS NO RECALL SINCE I HAVE BEEN READING A LOT OF THIS SAME COMPLAINT. THIS IS A 2001 AND THE MILEAGE IS STILL LOW ONLY 50,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10588520 · filed May 15, 2014
All 8 reports naming suspension

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, SMOKE STARTED EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND NEAR THE WIPER SWITCH. ALSO, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LOW WASHER FLUID SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THAT UNDER THE HOOD THERE WAS A DISCONNECTED PIECE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN REPLENISHED THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID AND FIXED THE DETACHED PIECE. WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID 10626781 · filed Aug 20, 2014

CONCERNED ABOUT FIRES IDENTIFED AS BEING CAUSED BY THE HOT WIRED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AS RECENTLY REPORTED ON TWICE ON TELEVISION. I AM AFFRAID TO PUT CARS IN GARAGE. THERE ARE NO INCIDENTS. CAN'T PROCEED WITH THIS COMPLAINT WITHOUT DATES. CARS: 2001 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND 2004 SABLE LS

NHTSA ID 10127645 · filed Jul 6, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE SUFFERED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO DRIVE. VEHICLE COLLIDES WITH A WALL CAUSING DAMAGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FENDER AND HEAD LIGHT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

NHTSA ID 10006761 · filed Feb 7, 2003

ENGINE SEIZED UP WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID 8014674 · filed Jul 24, 2002

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2001 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL / 115,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE 10 FWY IN JULY 2008, AND WITHOUT ACTIVATING CRUISE CONTROL, OR PRESSING SHARPLY ON THE GAS PEDAL, MY CAR BEGAN TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE AT TOP SPEED. THE ENGINE ROARED WITH A LOUD SOUND AND IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO FULL OPERATING POWER. THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE AT FULL THROTTLE WAS UNMISTAKABLE AND AS I LOOKED AT THE DASH BOARD GAUGES, I SAW MY SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE QUICKLY REACH 90 MPH AND KEPT MOVING HIGHER. REALIZING I WAS IN DANGER, I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT SLOWING MY CAR DOWN IN THE NORMAL FASHION. IT ONLY DEPRESSED ABOUT - OF THE NORMAL RANGE. CONFUSED, I QUICKLY GLANCED DOWN AT MY FEET TO CHECK FOR AN OBJECT OR FLOOR MAT THAT WOULD CAUSE MY GAS PEDAL TO BE STUCK OR LODGED. THERE WERE NO OBJECTS TO BE FOUND. WITH MY CAR CONTINUING AT A SPEED OF AT LEAST 90 MPH, AND MY LEFT FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I THEN FELT THE GAS PEDAL BENEATH MY RIGHT FOOT MOVE AWAY AND DOWN TOWARD THE FLOOR BOARD ON ITS OWN. I LIFTED THE GAS PEDAL WITH MY FOOT IN AN ATTEMPT TO REVERSE THE ACCELERATION, BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. REALIZING I HAD NO CONTROL OF MY CAR, I REPEATEDLY PRESSED MY BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THIS ONLY SLOWED THE CAR FROM 90 MPH TO 70 MPH; IT WAS NOT BRINGING MY CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP. WITH MANY CARS SURROUNDING ME, A CRASH BECAME IMMINENT ? SO I MOVED 2 LANES OVER INTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX 60MPH AT THIS POINT & KEPT BRAKING TO TRY TO REGAIN CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WERE NOT STOPPING MY VEHICLE SO I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, WHICH SLOWED THE VEHICLE TO APPROX 40 MPH. STILL MOVING FORWARD, WITH BOTH FEET ON MY BRAKE PEDAL PUSHING AS HARD AS I COULD, I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO ENGAGE THE E-BRAKE AS A LAST OPTION. THIS SLOWED MY CAR TO ABOUT 15 MPH, AFTER WHICH I PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10246012 · filed Oct 19, 2008

MY 2001 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WAS PURCHASED NEW, MARCH OF 2001. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER I PASSED THROUGH A WARNING RADAR DETECTOR ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 60 MPH. THE RADAR SAID I WAS TRAVELING AT 54 MPH. I TURNED AROUND AND REPEATED THE PASS-THROUGH WITH THE SAME RESULTS. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY WROTE UP THE SPEEDOMETER PROBLEM. AFTER 2 DIFFERENT SERVICE VISITS, AND CHECKING THE SPEED OF LINCOLN TOWN CARS, AND LINCOLN LS (TOWN CARS, AND LS LESS THAN 1 MPH OFF TRUE SPEED ACCORDING TO HANDHELD GPS) , THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT ALL CONTINENTALS HAVE DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETERS AND MY CARS PROBLEM IS NORMAL. I COMPLAINED AT LEAST 4 MORE TIMES AND WAS TOLD ALL CONTINENTALS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I TESTED A 2002 CONTINENTAL AND IT HAD A 2 MPH ERROR. AT MY REQUEST HE QUESTIONED FORD ENGINEERS IN MICHIGAN AND WAS TOLD 10% PLUS OR MINUS IS AN ACCEPTABLE SPEEDOMETER ERROR. I ASKED FOR IT IN WRITING AND FORD RESPONDED THAT IT IS NOT IN WRITING, AND IT WAS AGAINST THE COMPANYS POLICY TO GIVE IT TO ME IN WRITING. I INQUIRED WITH OTHER CAR COMPANIES AND SPEEDOMETER CALIBRATION COMPANIES AND FOUND THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO MORE THAT A 1 MPH PLUS OR MINUS DIFFERENCE. I REQUESTED TO PRESENT MY CASE TO THE FORD DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD. I DID SO APRIL 4TH, 2002. THE BOARD CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS IN REGARDS TO THE SPEEDOMETER CONCERN. THE BOARD BASED THIS DECISION ON ME TEST DRIVING A LIKE VEHICLE AND THE RESULTS WERE THE SAME. AN MY REQUEST FOR REPAIR OR VEHICLE REFUND WAS DENIED. WELL THEY WERE NOT THE SAME, MY VEHICLE HAS A 6 MPH ERROR. THE CONTINENTAL THAT I TESTED HAD A 2 MPH ERROR. A 200% DIFFERENCE. ACCORDING TO FORDS DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARDS REASONING, IF FORD SOLD A MODEL WITH A DEFECTIVE PART IN ALL OF THE UNITS PRODUCED, THE DEFECT WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.*AK

NHTSA ID 760685 · filed Apr 14, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I'M A NEW OWNER I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS FUNNY WHEN I'M DRIVING OR TURNING THE WHEEL AND I HEAR A NOISE WHEN I TURN IT .

NHTSA ID 11196996 · filed Apr 17, 2019

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AT HOME AND WHEN I TURNED MY STEERING WHEEL, THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SHREDDED THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. I CHECKED THE AREA THAT THE SPRING BROKE, AND IT WAS CLEAN, UNRUSTED METAL, THERE WAS NO SIGN OF AN IMPENDING FAILURE, JUST A SUDDEN BREAK.

NHTSA ID 11006217 · filed Jul 18, 2017

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

PROBLEMS SEEING IN THE REAR WHEN BACKING UP VEHICLE. *MR THERE WAS NO VISION WHEN BACKING. (THIS OCCURRED WITH THE USE OF THE MIRRORS) *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID 10044361 · filed Oct 21, 2003

WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON. DEALER STATES THE DEFECT IS CALLED A STRESS FRACTURE. *AK

NHTSA ID 10022937 · filed Jun 12, 2003

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTSDOWN WITHOUT WARNING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD A MISS IN TRANSMISSION WHEN CHANGING GEARS TO OVERDRIVE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH. *YH

NHTSA ID 8005836 · filed Mar 18, 2002

CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS GOING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE, AS IT WENT INTO REVERESE, THE VEHCILE JERKED, WHEELS SQUEALED AND THE VEHCILE WENT BACKWARDS AT A VERY HIGH SPEED, THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE SAFETY FACTOR THAT REQUIRES ONE TO STEP ON THE BRAKE OR THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO REVERSE WAS NOT CONNECTED, IT WAS AN OPEN CIRCUIT.*JB

NHTSA ID 562861 · filed Aug 30, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER WAS HAVING DASHBOARD LIGHT PROBLEMS. THE ELEMENT THAT LIT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP BROKE. CONSUMER CALLED FORD, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PART HE NEEDED WAS ON BACK ORDER. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE JULY 2003. CONSUMER INSISTED THAT THIS WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE HE COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING, DID NOT KNOW HOW FAST HE WAS TRAVELING, WHEN HE WAS LOW ON FUEL OR WHETHER HE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ANY PART OF THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING BATTERY. *AK

NHTSA ID 10042512 · filed Oct 7, 2003

JUST BOUGHT A 2001 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. JUST ONE SMALL POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM. EMERGING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CENTER CONSOLE ARE TWO BLACK ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL CABLES, EACH ABOUT ONE-QUARTER OF AN INCH IN DIAMETER., THAT GO UP INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE DASHBOARD. THEY OBSTRUCT THE TOP OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. CONSEQUENTLY, DEPENDING ON THE POSITION OF THE DRIVER'S RIGHT FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THESE CABLES PREVENT MOVING THE RIGHT FOOT FROM MOVING FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE BRAKE PEDAL QUICKLY. THIS HAS AHPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES, BUT FORTUNATELY HAS NOT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CABLE'S SLACK IS TOO GREAT. IT NEEDS TO BE SHORTENED, OR THE CABLES NEED TO BE HELD UP OUT OF THE WAY WITH A CLIP OR SOME OTHER DEVICE.*AK

NHTSA ID 734980 · filed Oct 23, 2000

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AT HOME AND WHEN I TURNED MY STEERING WHEEL, THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SHREDDED THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. I CHECKED THE AREA THAT THE SPRING BROKE, AND IT WAS CLEAN, UNRUSTED METAL, THERE WAS NO SIGN OF AN IMPENDING FAILURE, JUST A SUDDEN BREAK.

NHTSA ID 11006217 · filed Jul 18, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2001 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL CONDENSATION IN FRONT HEADLAMP SEAL. CUSTOMER BELIEVES THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SEAL. MANUFACTURER STATED IT WAS HER RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE IT. *KB THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING RELIEF FOR REPAIRS AND OR POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY AND ATTACHED EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA ID 10203728 · filed Sep 11, 2007

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *TT

NHTSA ID 564779 · filed Mar 20, 2002

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE STOPPED TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL, THE FLOOR-SHIFTING MODULE DID NOT MOVE. *BF ATTEMPTS TO PLACE THE SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE OR 3RD GEAR FAILED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN THE FRONT PISTON IN WHICH THE PLATE WAS WARPED. THE COMPUTER SHOWED NO PROBLEM, THEREFORE THEY COULD NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *SC

NHTSA ID 10109584 · filed Jan 19, 2005

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WE ARE OWNERS OF A 2001 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. MY TWO YOUNG BOYS AGES 2 AND 4 WERE IN THEIR CAR SEATS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR SEAT, LEAVING THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT UNUSED. MY FOUR YEAR OLD HAD CALLED ME FOR HELP WHILE I WAS DRIVING OVER A BRIDGE. I SAW HE WAS NOOSED AROUND HIS NECK BY THE MIDDLE BELT AND PINNED AGAINST THE REAR OF THE SEAT. THE CAR HAS AN AUTOMATED LOCKING POSITION FOR SAFETY . THIS TURNS OUT TO BE A DANGER. THE BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE LEAVING ME TO HAVE TO RUN FOR HELP ON THE HIGHWAY. I FOUND A MAN WHO COULD HELP CUT THE BELT AND RELEASE MY SON. HE WAS LEFT WITH A FULL COLLAR BELT BURN ON HIS NECK. BE AWARE OF THIS AUTOMATED LOCKING POSITION. IT ALMOST COST MY SON HIS LIFE. *JB

NHTSA ID 10142938 · filed Nov 16, 2005

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

Data on this page last refreshed .