1992 Lincoln Continental: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 126 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (32% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 126 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1992 lincoln continental. While driving approximately 30 mph and attempting to make a turn, the steering ability seized. The contact had to maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road where the contact noticed that the rear sub-mount fractured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2015
“There are times when I am using my cruise control and step on the brake to disengage it that the car actually speeds up. I have to step on the brake several times to get it to disengage. It is quite scary. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2009
“While driving 55 mph a fire started underneath the hood. Consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“1992 lincoln continental automatic transmission. Wouldn't go in gear. Turning it off and on it would go in gear until you starting going then nothing. *la”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2003
“Dealer replaced rotors and pad for a new york trip. By the time consumer arrived in new york brakes failed. Currently, brake fluid leak. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2003
“Vehicle broke down while headed south i95 on 12/26/02 in peterburg,virginia. Forced to rent a car while being repaired. Replaced head gaskets and ego sensor and peripheral work needed. Cost: $1,215.89 plus rental (stranded in va) $264.60. Total of $1,480.49. This is not a maintenance item, but a flaw in vehicle which ford-lincoln has acknowledged via a technical service bulletin. I believe later models 1994? Were covered by ford for repair expense. Also my mileage is a 1000 over that for repair reimbursement. But this vehicle repair also should be covered by manufacturer because it is the same flawed 3.8 engine!”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2003
“Entire braking system failed causing a collision. Afterwards, the "ABS" warning light illuminated. Dealer not able to determine cause. Ts”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2003
“Rear air shocks will cause vehicle to heavily vibrate while driving at any speed and with no warning. Dealer notified.*ak”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2002
“While traveling 50mph on highway vehicle started to acellerate. Also, left front calipers locked up. Dealership is aware of problem.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2001
“Vehicle accelerates out of control, driver threw it out of gear into neutral or park, it again went back to idle on its own.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
How other years compare
Check your exact Continental by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1992 Lincoln Continental reliable?
NHTSA has 126 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Lincoln Continental. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1992 Lincoln Continental problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 101,050 miles or less.
Does the 1992 Lincoln Continental have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.