Owners have filed 69 complaints
about the 1996 Lincoln Continental with NHTSA between 1996 and 2009.
The largest single group is the suspension.
Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 13 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 36
Against the median year of the Lincoln Continental. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 45
8.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1996 compares with every other Lincoln Continental
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Front
522.7%
Rearview Mirrors/Devices
418.2%
Automatic Transmission
313.6%
Gear BOX (Other Than Rack AND Pinion)
29.1%
Gasoline
29.1%
Rack AND Pinion
29.1%
Exterior
29.1%
Manual Transmission
29.1%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
133.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
133.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
133.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 1996peak 12Feb 2009
Recalls on the 1996 Lincoln Continental
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
16E026000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.
Risk: A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
96V176000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION.
96V009000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Risk: IF THE HEADLAMPS SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE IMPAIRED INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199614817,222 units in Canada
Powertrain
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK MECHANISM MAY NOT PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING EVEN IF THE TRANSAXLE SHIFT LEVER IS FIRMLY PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION. IF THE DRIVER IS UNAWARE THAT THE PARK MECHANISM OF THE TRANSAXLE HAS NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED AND LEAVES THE VEHICLE UNATTENDED WITHOUT SETTING THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD BE FREE TO ROLL AS IF IN NEUTRAL. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: PARK MECHANISM WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, A NEW PARK PAWL SHAFT WILL BE INSTALLED IN THE TRANSAXLE.
Recall 19960191,784 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
A DEFECT IN THE AUTOLAMP SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS, INCLUDING THE HEADLIGHTS, TO SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THIS WOULD ONLY OCCUR WHILE THE AUTOLAMP FEATURE IS BEING USED. IF THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF BECAUSE OF AUTOLAMP MALFUNCTION, THE DRIVER CAN TURN THEM BACK ON BY MANUALLY ROTATING THE HEADLAMP SWITCH TO THE "ON" POSITION. CORRECTION: LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE WILL BE REPLACED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Wexford, PA2 killed
WHEELS
WHEEL PRESURE SENSORS IN TWO TIRES BROKE APART AND DESTROYED TWO TIRE FROM THE INSIDE. I ALSO NEED TO GET PROBLEM CORRECTED IN REMAINING TIERES BUT THE REPAIR SHOP WILL NOT FIX THIS AS IT IS A SAFTY ISSUE AND THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED. MY RTEMAING WHEELS SENSORS COULD COME APART AND DESTROY MY TIRES CAUSING A BLOW OUT.
NHTSA complaint #755965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charleston, SCCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND DRIVERS/PASSENGERS AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #853963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charleston, SCCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND DRIVERS/PASSENGERS AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #853963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MDCrash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SUDDENLY JUMPED OUT OF PARK AND ROLLED FOWARD INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS NOT IN VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, SAID THAT THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS STANDING, REPAIRS HAVE TO BE MADE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. MINOR DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #833825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glenview, ILCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING OWNER TO LOSE CONTROL WHILE ENTERING ANOTHER LANE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK IN AN ACCIDENT ONE PERSON AND TWO DOGS INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #816367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Bluffton, SC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT ON DRIVER'S SIDE WENT OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10259427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesAkley, MN
SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE RESTS 12 INCHES HIGHER ON ONE SIDE THAN THE OTHER, FROM THE FRONT END TO THE REAR. AS A RESULT, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE UPWARDS TOWARDS THE SKY OR DOWNWARDS INTO THE GROUND. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS GONE INTO AIR SHOCK, FORCING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL AND DRIVE OFF THE ROAD. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 160,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10196008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,683 milesAkely, MN
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
DEFECTIVE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IN LINCOLN CONTINENTAL RESULTS IN EXTREMELY UNSTABLE AND UNSAFE DRIVING. BLOWN AIR BAG WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE RESULTED IN REAR END CRASHING DOWN AND LEAVING CAR INOPERABLE. FAULTY COMPRESSOR LEAVES THE CAR 12 INCHES DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEFT AND RIGHT AND FRONT AND BACK. HEAD LIGHTS SHINE INTO THE SKY AND NOW INTO THE GROUND. DRIVING VEHICLE EXTREMELY UNSAFE ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. 3 YRS OF COMPLAINING TO FORD/LINCOLN - THEY WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM! GET THESE VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD BEFORE THEY CAUSE MAJOR ROAD ACCIDENTS. MN STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL NOTIFIED - FILE # RJM/2006/322030/C.
NHTSA complaint #10181149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 milesOntario, CA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL* - THE CONTACT IS CALLING REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06T023000. THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE TOOK HIS TIRES TO PEP BOYS THEY REFUSE TO PROVIDE HIM WITH FREE TIRES AND TOLD HIM HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE TIRES AT A PRO-RATED RATE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT DUE TO THE RECALL HE SHOULD HAVE NOT BEEN CHARGE. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE A COPY OF THE INVOICE IF NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #10176773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naugatuck, CT
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR
AUTOMOBILE DIMMING REARVIEW MIRROR IS NOT CLEAR,MELTING EFFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10080648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairdale, KY
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SIDE VIEW MIRROR CONTAINED FILM WHICH RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #10009226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairdale, KY
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SIDE VIEW MIRROR CONTAINED FILM WHICH RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #10009226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windham, NH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE CONTACTED LINCOLN ABOUT THE PAINT AND MIRRORS AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE MIRROR IS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS DISCOLORED AND DISTORED. I HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR TO AN AUTOBODY SHOP PER DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A DEFECTED PAINT JOB FROM THE LINCOLN. THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. DT
NHTSA complaint #770425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windham, NH
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
I HAVE CONTACTED LINCOLN ABOUT THE PAINT AND MIRRORS AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE MIRROR IS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS DISCOLORED AND DISTORED. I HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR TO AN AUTOBODY SHOP PER DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A DEFECTED PAINT JOB FROM THE LINCOLN. THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. DT
NHTSA complaint #770425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER STARTED NOTICING THAT WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THEN TRYING TO CONTINUE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO, OR IT WILL JERK ABOUT A FOOT. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN IN DRIVE TO RESUME.
NHTSA complaint #568055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED COMPLAINING ABOUT AN ODOR EMMITING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING SMELLING LIKE MILDEW.
NHTSA complaint #568055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, KS
SUSPENSION
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE AIR SUSPENSION WENT OUT THE VEHICLE AIR SHOCKS AND THE VEHICLE IN UNABLE TO STEER. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR
NHTSA complaint #8021485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Louis, MO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION AT 30-40 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #567527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Annapolis, IN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
THE GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT SHIFT. IT WILL SLIDE UP AND DOWN INTERMITTENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND WILL NOT MOVE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8019895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Southport, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 96V009000 DUE TO VIN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8018879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wexford, PA2 killed
WHEELS
WHEEL PRESURE SENSORS IN TWO TIRES BROKE APART AND DESTROYED TWO TIRE FROM THE INSIDE. I ALSO NEED TO GET PROBLEM CORRECTED IN REMAINING TIERES BUT THE REPAIR SHOP WILL NOT FIX THIS AS IT IS A SAFTY ISSUE AND THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED. MY RTEMAING WHEELS SENSORS COULD COME APART AND DESTROY MY TIRES CAUSING A BLOW OUT.
NHTSA complaint #755965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NH
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
WHEN HEADLAMPS ARE IN USE RADIO SWITCHES STATIONS WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #899486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eden, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
WHILE DRIVING AND UPON DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL IT WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING UNWANTED ACCELERATION. AFTER DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE CONTINUED TO GAIN SPEED, ALSO, AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF, RPMS CONTINUED TO RACE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER DETERMINED THAT THROTTLE CABLE BROKE COMPLETLEY IN HALF.
NHTSA complaint #898886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Terre Haute, IN
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
INSIDE REARVIEW AUTOMATIC DAY/NIGHT MIRROR IN MY 1996 CONTINENTAL HAS STOPPED DIMMING. THERE IS A SPOT APPROXIMATELY IN THE UPPER RIGHT MIDDLE OF THE MIRROR THAT DOES DIM AS IT SHOULD. AS SUCH, WHEN A CAR COMES UP FROM BEHIND (ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAVE BRIGHTS ON), IT BLINDS ME AND DECREASES MY "NIGHT VISION." NOT ONLY IS THIS AN ANNOYANCE, BUT IT IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOT A TSB OR WARRANTY ON IT. IT DOES COST $500.00. I HAVE E-MAILED THE COMPANY THAT MAKES THE MIRROR (DONNELLY CORP.) BUT THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED MY REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REPAIR, WARRANTY OR REPLACEMENT. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT THIS MAY BE A "COMMON" PROBLEM WITH 1996 AND 1997 CONTI.. ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU..
NHTSA complaint #753240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frankfort, MI
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
BOTH MIRRORS ARE DISCOLORED AND DISTORTED, PRESENTING A SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #752175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilmington E, DE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES PULSATE AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY FADE OUT AND COME BACK IN. CONSUMER HIT BRAKES, AND THEY FADED. ABS LIGHT CAME ON AFTER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE SAME DEALER 4 TIMES. DEALER HAS CHECKED THE CODES, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #893538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hazel Crest, IL
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
POWER WINDOWS/ REAR DEFROSTER AND HORN WERN'T WORKING CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MLP SENSOR WAS REPLACED, HELPED WINDOWS TO GO UP AND DOWN CORRECTLY. HORN STILL DOESN'T WORK. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED MANY SENSORS,TYRING TO FIND A REMEDY.
NHTSA complaint #890790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hazel Crest, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
POWER WINDOWS/ REAR DEFROSTER AND HORN WERN'T WORKING CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MLP SENSOR WAS REPLACED, HELPED WINDOWS TO GO UP AND DOWN CORRECTLY. HORN STILL DOESN'T WORK. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED MANY SENSORS,TYRING TO FIND A REMEDY.
NHTSA complaint #890790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER WINDOWS/ REAR DEFROSTER AND HORN WERN'T WORKING CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MLP SENSOR WAS REPLACED, HELPED WINDOWS TO GO UP AND DOWN CORRECTLY. HORN STILL DOESN'T WORK. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED MANY SENSORS,TYRING TO FIND A REMEDY.
NHTSA complaint #890790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montgomery, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING DASHLIGHTS AND GAUGES STOPPED WORKING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER SHE RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND GAUGES WORKED FINE. VEHICLE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET.
NHTSA complaint #890170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.