Model year record

1996 Lincoln Continental

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 69 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V176000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
340,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-09-18
Owners notified
1996-10-09

Defect description

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL SHAFT MAY NOT BE FREE TO ROTATE AS INTENDED. IF THE PARK PAWL SHAFT DOES NOT ROTATE, IT WOULD PREVENT THE PARK PAWL FROM ENGAGING THE PARK GEAR WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS IN THE PARK POSITION.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROTATION AND THOSE SHAFTS WITH RESTRICTED ROTATION WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHORTER SHAFT THAT WILL NOT RESTRICT ROTATION.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V009000

Exterior lighting

Component
Exterior lighting
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
40,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-01-23
Owners notified
1995-12-29

Defect description

A DEFECTIVE CONTROL MODULE IN THE "AUTOLAMP" SYSTEM CAN MALFUNCTION. IF THE "AUTOLAMP" SYSTEM IS BEING USED TO ACTIVATE THE EXTERIOR LIGHT (INCLUDING HEADLAMPS), THE HEADLAMPS COULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THIS WILL NOT OCCUR IF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING IS TURNED ON MANUALLY BY THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

Safety risk

IF THE HEADLAMPS SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE IMPAIRED INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE "AUTOLAMP" CONTROL MODULE. OWNERS ARE INSTRUCTED TO USE THE MANUAL HEADLAMP SWITCH UNTIL THE CONTROL MODULE CAN BE REPLACED.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension: front5
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices4
Power train: automatic transmission3
Suspension3100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2
Exterior lighting2
Power train: manual transmission2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)2
Steering: rack and pinion2
Unknown or other2
Vehicle speed control2
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior2
Air bags: frontal1
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: engine1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Interior lighting1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seats1
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Steering1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Structure1
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: front: shock absorber1
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system1
Suspension: rear1
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system196,683 mi
Tires: tread/belt174,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1
Visibility: windshield1
Wheels1

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 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.

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.