Model year record

1994 Lincoln Continental

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 303 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 98V009000

Exterior lighting: headlights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
506,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-01-21
Owners notified
1998-04-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.

Safety risk

LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V129000

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
2,500
Reported to NHTSA
1994-07-12
Owners notified
1994-08-19

Defect description

THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD RETAINER (HAIRPIN CLIP) MAY BE MISSING OR NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED ON THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAN CAUSE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKE PUSHROD AND LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY.

Safety risk

LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RETAINER.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine5792,046 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline18
Power train: automatic transmission1125,701 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner9
Structure: frame and members9160,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip8
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system8
Vehicle speed control8
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers6
Engine and engine cooling643,692 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system634,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights6
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system6
Suspension: rear6100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly5
Structure: body: door5
Suspension: front5
Unknown or other5143,000 mi
Visibility: windshield5
Air bags: frontal4
Suspension: front: shock absorber4
Visibility: power window devices and controls4
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator325,701 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module3
Power train343,692 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3
Steering3143,000 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber3
Air bags2
Electrical system: ignition: switch2
Electrical system: wiring2
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk2
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2
Engine285,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2
Exterior lighting: back up lights2
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch2
Fuel system, gasoline2
Interior lighting2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2
Suspension: front: control arm2
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension: springs/bags2
Tires234,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2
Wheels2
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems: tank valve/gauge1
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems: water heater1
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, other1
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Service brakes, air: supply: compressor1
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Structure1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Suspension1
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly1
Tires: bead1
Unknown168,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1993 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1995 model has 3 times as many 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.