Model year record

1997 Lincoln Continental

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 109 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 96V166000

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
40,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-09-05
Owners notified
1996-09-23

Defect description

THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK.

Safety risk

UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1142,800 mi
Tires6—
Vehicle speed control6—
Power train540,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission573,100 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip555,100 mi
Suspension: front5—
Air bags: frontal3—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system3—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly359,075 mi
Tires: tread/belt3—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices3—
Engine and engine cooling: engine2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components240,286 mi
Steering: rack and pinion2—
Suspension2—
Unknown or other2—
Air bags11,280,000 mi
Electrical system175,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)170,000 mi
Engine140,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling158,635 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, other1—
Interior lighting1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Service brakes, hydraulic170,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper140,286 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Steering1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump154,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1—
Structure: body: door1—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1103,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1103,000 mi
Suspension: rear1—
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls153,000 mi

The 1996 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 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.

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.