Model year record

1996 Lincoln Continental

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

Lincoln Continental, 1995–2002 generation
Pictured: the 1995–2002 generation. MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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.

Other Lincoln Continental model years

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.