Known Recalls

Model year record

1988 Lincoln Continental

9 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 147 owner complaints on file.

Lincoln Continental, 1988–1994 generation
Pictured: the 1988–1994 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V323000

Structure: frame and members

Component
Structure: frame and members
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
2,697,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-12-16
Owners notified
1999-01-18

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.

Safety risk

IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 93V106000

Structure: frame and members

Component
Structure: frame and members
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
1,610,000
Reported to NHTSA
1993-06-23
Owners notified
1993-07-22

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS AND SABLES BUILT FROM 10-14-85 THROUGH 8-19-88, AND LINCOLN CONTINENTALS BUILT FROM 11-4-87 THROUGH 9-30-88 (EXCEPT 1989 - 1991 2.5L TAURUS AND 1989 - 1992 SHO). THE AFFECTED CARS WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, AND WISCONSIN. THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, MAY BECOME DETACHED DUE TO CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT RETAINING PLATE. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.

Safety risk

IF ONE OF THE REAR CORNERS DROPS, ONLY MINOR INDICATIONS OF A MALFUNCTION SUCH AS A CLUNKING NOISE OR SLIGHT CHANGE IN STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT ARE NOTICEABLE. HOWEVER, IF BOTH REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME DROP, STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL A CORROSION-RESISTANT REINFORCING PLATE AND A NEW BOLT ON BOTH REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS. THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.

Recall campaignNHTSA 91V134000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
325,000
Reported to NHTSA
1991-08-06
Owners notified
1991-09-26

Defect description

FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY.

Safety risk

SEVERELY CORRODED ROTORS MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE NEARTHE INNER EDGES OF THE BRAKE DISCS RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS,HIGHER THAN NORMAL PEDAL EFFORTS, LOUD GRINDING NOISES, AND MODERATE PULLS WHENTHE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS MAY INCREASE MINIMUMSTOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 89V057000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
A.H.A. MANUFACTURING LTD.
Vehicles affected
5
Reported to NHTSA
1989-04-04

Defect description

PROCESS USED FOR CONNECTING THE GAS LINES WAS SUBSTANDARD.

Safety risk

A GAS LEAK COULD DEVELOP CREATING A FIRE POTENTIAL.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL STANDARD GAS LINE COMPRESSION FITTINGS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V118000

Electrical system: wiring

Component
Electrical system: wiring
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
28,000
Reported to NHTSA
1988-07-22
Owners notified
1988-07-22

Defect description

ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT CONTROLS CURRENT TO BRAKE PUMP MOTOR RELAY, HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER MOTOR, TURN SIGNALS, AND A ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER MAY OVERHEAT DUE TO INABILITY OF IGNITION CIRCUIT WIRING CONNECTIONS TO DISSIPATE HEAT GENERATED BY ELECTRICAL LOADS.

Safety risk

BRAKE PUMP MOTOR WILL NOT OPERATE, SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCINGBRAKING CAPABILITY; BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH AND MODIFY SWITCH WIRING.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V114000

Electrical system: wiring: front underhood

Component
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
26,000
Reported to NHTSA
1988-07-19
Owners notified
1988-07-22

Defect description

NYLON SHIELDED WIRING HARNESS, LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO HEAT DAMAGE AND MELTING OF THE NYLON MATERIAL IN 100 DEGREE PLUS WEATHER.

Safety risk

MELTED NYLON SHIELD COULD DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDAND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

WRAP WIRING HARNESS WITH HEAT RESISTANT FIBERGLASS TAPE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V101000

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
22,893
Reported to NHTSA
1988-06-27
Owners notified
1988-07-22

Defect description

TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLES MAY NOT MEET FORDS PULL OUT LOAD SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE SWIVEL TUBE PORTION OF THE CABLE, WHICH COULD ALLOW THE SWIVEL TUBE TO SEPARATE FROM THE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY.

Safety risk

OPERATOR WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT FROM ONE OF THEDRIVE GEARS INTO PARK POSITION.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE SHIFT CABLE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V030000

Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs

Component
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
8,848
Reported to NHTSA
1988-03-11
Owners notified
1988-04-19

Defect description

TWO TORSION SPRINGS ATTACHED TO REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS MAY FRACTURE AND RUB AGAINST A REAR TIRE.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF TIRE INFLATIONPRESSURE WITH POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL TORSION SPRING SEATS TO RESTRICT THE SPRINGS FROM CONTACTING THE TIRE IF THEY SHOULD FRACTURE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V027000

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
4,500
Reported to NHTSA
1988-03-08
Owners notified
1988-04-19

Defect description

DRIVER AND RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER INBOARD SEAT BELTS MAY BE IMPROPERLY ANCHORED DUE TO LOOSE NUTS THAT COULD BACK OFF.

Safety risk

BELT ANCHOR COULD DISENGAGE THE STUD; AN UNATTACHED BELTASSEMBLY WOULD NOT WITHSTAND AN IMPACT LOAD.

Manufacturer remedy

INBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES WILL BE CORRECTED TO PREVENT LOOSENING.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch15—
Structure: frame and members12—
Electrical system: ignition9—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip8—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline6—
Power train: automatic transmission6—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components6—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator5—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood4—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4—
Vehicle speed control4—
Electrical system: wiring3—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3—
Engine and engine cooling: engine3—
Suspension: front3—
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system3—
Electrical system2—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2—
Electrical system: starter assembly2—
Interior lighting2—
Seats2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections2—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2—
Structure: body: door2—
Tires2—
Air bags: frontal1—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: linkages1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Suspension: rear1—
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system1—
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs1—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1—
Unknown or other1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Wheels1—

The 1987 model has 11 times as many complaints as this one. The 1989 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Lincoln Continental model years

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All Lincoln Continental recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.