219 of the
2,566 complaints filed about the Lincoln Continental
are about the braking system —
9% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1991.
Vehicle: 2017 Lincoln Continental Black Label VIN: [XXX] I am reporting a seriously catastrophic brake system safety failure. The brake pedal intermittently travels to the floor with little to no resistance, resulting in a sudden loss of hydraulic braking pressure and significantly increased stopping distance. The braking response is spongy, inconsistent, and unreliable. A “Low Brake Fluid” warning appears despite no visible external leak, suggesting an internal hydraulic failure. I almost hit a vehicle from behind on several occasions before finally stopping to safety due to these issues that occurred. All of this occurred without any warning indication. The master brake cylinder has already been replaced with a true Lincoln/Ford part; however, the issue persists. This indicates a deeper system-level defect rather than normal wear and tear. The vehicle is currently unsafe and dangerous to operate due to the risk of complete or partial brake failure. Lincoln/Ford have already acknowledged that there is definitely an issue with the braking system. The failure symptoms are consistent with internal hydraulic brake system defects and are similar in nature to known issues reported in other Ford/Lincoln vehicles built on related platforms, including 2017–2018 Ford F-150 and Lincoln Navigator models (TSB 21-2241 and Recall [XXX] ), although this VIN is not currently included in a recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11731147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH and coming upon a red traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop, and the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The contact activated the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The contact became aware of brake fluid underneath the vehicle near the wheel and brake hose. The contact took the vehicle to a body shop nearby and a certified mechanic inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that the brake hose had failed. The brake hose and brake line had been replaced. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the brake hose had failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that due to the failure not being caused due to an accident there would be no assistance. The failure mileage was 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #11617836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated while driving approximately 35–40 MPH, the parking brake activated, causing the driver to swerve, as the tires squealed. The driver was able to pull over. The contact was unable to release the parking brake. The vehicle was in LIMP Mode. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS brake module had malfunctioned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #11541443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated while driving approximately 35–40 MPH, the parking brake activated, causing the driver to swerve, as the tires squealed. The driver was able to pull over. The contact was unable to release the parking brake. The vehicle was in LIMP Mode. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS brake module had malfunctioned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #11541443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated while exiting out of a parking spot, he attempted to depress the brake pedal but could not reach or find the brake pedal. The contact moved his foot closer to the accelerator pedal and was able to depress the brake pedal. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, he was unable to locate the brake pedal while attempting to depress the brake pedal. The contact veered across two lanes to prevent a crash. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
NHTSA complaint #11434077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON MY 2020 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL THE BRAKE PEDAL IS ABOUT ONE INCH HIGHER THEN THE GAS PEDAL. ON MOST CARS THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS ARE EVEN IN HEIGHT. ON THIS CAR WHEN I MOVE MY FOOT TO STOP THE CAR I MUST LIFT MY FOOT. A FEW TIMES THE SIDE OF MY FOOT HAS HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSING A MOMENTARY DELAY IN STOPPING.
NHTSA complaint #11365371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
[XXX] VEHICLE IMPOUNDED IN AUSTIN TEXAS WAS NOT ABLE TO GET BACK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10700882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER TURNING ON THE IGNITION AND PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR, MY 2002 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MADE AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND AFTER STARTING IT AGAIN EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. AFTER ABOUT A HALF HOUR OF DRIVING, THE CAR BECAME NOISY. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE RIGHT FRONT COIL WAS BROKEN. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE A USED SPRING AND HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW COIL FOR $530.45 WHICH SEEMS EXCESSIVE. THIS ENDED UP BEING A $733.00 REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10668546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT THE CAR ON 08/28/2010 AND ONLY DROVE IT THAT DAY. SINCE IT WAS A SATURDAY AND THEY CLOSED EARLY, I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAY TO CONTACT THEM. ON MONDAY, A REP FROM THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY SOLD THE CAR TO ME FROM SOMEONE WHO DIDN'T HAVE A DEALERSHIP OR TITLE FOR THE CAR AND HE WAS USING THEIR DEALERSHIP TO SELL AND TO RETRIEVE THE TITLE ONCE THE SELL WAS FINAL. THE CAR WAS OK WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP, BUT AFTER A COUPLE HOURS IT DIED ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING ALMOST CAUSING A ACCIDENT. ON THE DASH IT KEEP SAYING, "CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM". I KNOW A LIL ABOUT CARS AND I REALLY NEED THE TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE I'M A COLLEGE STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE, I DECIDED TO TRY TO GET IT FIXED TO MY KNOWLEDGE, BUT IT SEEMS AS IF IT'S SOMETHING MORE TO THIS "LEMON" AUCTION AUTO SOLD ME. I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED. IT'LL DRIVE FOR A HOUR OR TWO THEN DIE WHILE I'M DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10353697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS ENGAGE AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE DOORS NORMALLY LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ALSO ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, WHICH PREVENTED THE ALARM SYSTEM FROM ENGAGING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FEBRUARY 5, 2008. THE DOOR IS AJAR WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATED HAD ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, THE DOOR WAS SECURE. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE WEEK OF JANUARY 28, 2008 WHEN THERE WAS SNOW PRESENT AND DIMMED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONTACT REACHED HIS DESTINATION. THE DEALER HAD NOT YET DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,000.
NHTSA complaint #10218317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*- THEE CONTACT HAS A 1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BOTH TRACTION CONTROL, AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES. HE HAS HAD 3 FAILURES OF THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER NO LONGER MAKES THE REPLACEMENT PARTS, AND ONE CAN ONLY GET USED REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #10185734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I OWN A 1986 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL THAT HAS A RECALL LISTED FOR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, 86V109000. THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE PUMP HAS FAILED AND MIDAS TOLD ME ABOUT THIS RECALL AND SAID I SHOULD HAVE FORD FIX IT. I WENT TO SCHAUMBURG LINCOLN MERCURY IN SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS - AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL. I CALLED FORD DIRECTLY AND THEY DENIED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. YET, ON THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY ADMIN SIGHT THE RECALL FORD NOW DENIES EXISTS, IS IN FACT LISTED. MY VEHICLE HAS HAD THE FUEL SYSTEM RECALL REPAIRED, WHICH FORD ADMITS, BUT NEVER BRAKE RECALL LISTED HEREIN. I WOULD LIKE FORD TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE PUMP & RELAYS.
NHTSA complaint #10172589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE LINES WERE SO CORRODED THAT THEY FAILED, LEAVING ME WITHOUT BRAKES. MY MECHANIC CONTACTED FORD TO GET REPLACEMENT BRAKE LINES AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT MANUFACTURED ANYMORE. MY MECHANIC HAD TO MANUFACTURE HIS OWN BRAKE LINES. CAUSE OF THE LINE FAILURE SEEMS TO BE PROXIMITY TO THE MUFFLER CAUSING HEAT AND WATER TO CORRODE THE LINES. I HAVE THE OLD BRAKE LILNES AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10100731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PIECES OF VEHICLE'S ROTORS WERE FOUND ON THE GARAGE FLOOR.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHILE BRAKING. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. WHEN THE CONSUMER BACKED OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY HE NOTICED CARBON LIKE PIECES ON THE GARAGE FLOOR THAT APPARENTLY CAME OFF THE ROTORS OR PADS. WHILE ON VACATION THE A/C FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10079811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
1995 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL BRAKE PROBLEMS. (NAR) *MR THE VEHICLE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME IT WAS REPLACED IT FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER(S) HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE BRAKE PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA complaint #10073332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HERE IS THE LIST OF PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WITH THIS CAR. 1.PURCHASED FROM BOB MULLEN AUTO BATAVIA NY MILAGE: 58702 ,JUNE 3RD 1999 2.RETURNED CAR 10 DAYS LATER , AC DIDN'T WORK, DEALER REPIRED AT HIS COST OF $500. 3.JAN 2000 REPAIR EXHAUST SYSTEM. MY SHARE OF BILL $514.00 4. 4/28/2000 MONROE MUFFLER, WORK ON FRONT END AIR SUSPENSION, $370 5. 7/28/2000 ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED, COST $152 FOR NEW SWITCHES 6. 9/15/2000 TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER ABS WASN'T WORKING ESTIMATE TO REPAIR..$826, HAD DEALER DISARM ABS 7. DGL ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. HAD TO TAKE CAR TO LINCOLN DEALER,,ESTIMATED COST TO FIX ALL THE THINGS DISCOVERED TO BE BAD, $3480. TOLD THEM I'D TAKE MY CHANCES 8. 4/9/2001 TOOK CAR AGAIN TO MONROE MUFFLER FOR RIGHT AIR SUSPENSION REPLACEMENT, COST $638.... 9. 4/23/2001 CAR RETURNED TO COLE MUFFLER MUFFLERS ROTTED OUT ALREADY WERE REPLACED WITH NEW ONES PLUS PIPES. 10. 5/01/01 TOOK CAR TO AIR CONDITIONING CENTER SAID IT HAD CRACKED HOUSING REPAIR WOULD COST $575. MADE SURE WINDOWS WORKED!!! 11. 7/16/2002 TOOK CAR TO TRANSMISSION CENTER FOR SERVICE. REPLACED SWITCH FOR CAR WOULD GO INTO 2ND GEAR COST $121. STILL NOT WORKING RIGHT. 12. 4/15/2003 OIL PAN STARTED TO LEAK, HAVE HAD TO WELD BUSTED SEAM $125 13. NOT SURE BUT IT SHOWS SIGNS OF OVERHEATING PROBLEMS, WHICH MAY LEAD TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND THE CAR STILL ONLY HAS ABOUT 80,000 MILES!! THE CAR IS A CONTINENTAL BUT HAS BEEN RENAMED TOWN CAR BECAUSE I DON'T DARE TAKE IT OUT OF TOWN.. THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THIS MATTER. THIS CAR HAS GOT TO BE THE REASON FOR THE NYS LEMON LAW
NHTSA complaint #10069694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I DID NOT GET A RECALL FOR THE 1986-1993 FOR THE BRAKE ROTOR HUB CORROSION PROBLEM. I DID RECEIVE AND REPAIRED THE SUBFRAME MOUNT(93V-106.001) THE ROTOR HUB IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM AS I HAVE PAID TO HAVE THIS REPLACED ONCE AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A FORD AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITY LOOK AT THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10069682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR WINDOW MOVES OUT OF CHANEL AND JAMS. DRIVER SIDE FRONT POWER WINDOW MOTOR FAILED. DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR FAILS TO LOCK AUTOMATICALLY. AIR CONDITIONING VENTS FAIL TO OPEN. AIR CONDITIONING BLOWS ON WINDSHIELD ONLY. IRRATIC SHIFTING OF TRANSMISSION FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. SLIPPING OF TRANSMISSION WHEN POWER IS APPLIED. FAILURE OF ALL 4 SUSPENSION. FAILURE OF BRAKES SENTING CAR INTO UNCONTROLABLE FISH TAILING AND 360 DEGREE SPINOUT AT 40 MILE/PER HOUR.
NHTSA complaint #10069661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY VEHICLE IS A LINCOLN LS. LEASED NEW IN APRIL 2002 WITH 6ML. ON IT. HAS BEEN IN FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS, THE CAR HAS BEEN GUTTED AND PUT BACK TOGETHER. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT THE AIRBAG MODULE WAS REPLACED. IT TOOK APPROX. 7 MONTHS TO GET FORD TO BUY BACK THE CAR. THEY WERE UNDOUBTEDLY AWARE THEY COULD COUNT ON MY CAVING AFTER MAKING PREMIUM PAYMENTS AND INSURANCE FOR ALMOST A YEAR ON A CAR THAT WAS NOT FIT TO DRIVE. AS SOON AS I HIRED AN ATTORNEY THEY DUG THEIR HEELS IN FARTHER. I SETTLED JUST TO GET THE LEMON OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AND TO FREE UP MY FUNDS TO GET ANOTHER CAR. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HANDLED MY SITUATION VERY UNPROFESSIONALLY AND WITH NO REGARD TO MY SAFETY. AT THIS POINT I WOULD ONLY HOPE THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO REGISTER THIS VEHICLE FOR RESALE WITH A RECORD OF THE DEFECTS AND NOT SIMPLY A BUY BACK WITH NO EXPLANATION.
NHTSA complaint #10069639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.