Known Recalls

Model year record

1992 Lincoln Continental

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 199 owner complaints on file.

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 97V025000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
212,700
Reported to NHTSA
1997-02-26
Owners notified
1997-04-23

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.

Safety risk

DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V019000

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan

Component
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
75,200
Reported to NHTSA
1997-02-25
Owners notified
1997-03-31

Defect description

THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine29—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline11—
Structure: frame and members10—
Vehicle speed control10140,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner9—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip7—
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system6—
Unknown or other6—
Suspension: rear5—
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system5—
Electrical system4—
Electrical system: ignition4—
Engine and engine cooling4—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system4—
Power train: automatic transmission472,100 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4—
Structure: body: door4—
Air bags3—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Suspension3—
Air bags: frontal2—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module2—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2—
Equipment: electrical2—
Exterior lighting: headlights2—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch2—
Power train2—
Power train: manual transmission2—
Service brakes, hydraulic2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2—
Steering2130,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2—
Suspension: front2—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut2—
Suspension: front: shock absorber2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Exterior lighting1—
Exterior lighting: back up lights1—
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1—
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Wheels: hubcap/cover1—

The 1991 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1993 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

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.