1993 Lincoln Continental: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 121 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (52% 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 121 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 lincoln continental. While driving approximately 15 to 20 mph, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The failure recurred approximately six or seven times. The vehicle was purchased in march of 2015 from a private owner. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 164,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2015
“While driving headlights go off. Consumer mentioned a recall, however, none was found. Recall for 108 headlight manual. *ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2004
“Engine head gasket blew out. Simultaneously, while driving temperature gauge fluctuated, and engine light came on. Then, vehicle stalled. Prior to this incident heating system was inoperative. Recall 97v019000 on engine cooling fan was issued, but this vehicle was not covered under the recall due to VIN. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“Engine (3.8l v6) blew head gasket first time at ~60,000 miles. Dealer repaired. Thirteen months later, ~72,000 miles, head gasket blew again. Different dealer repaired, (another $1,600 with no help from manufacturer or previous repairing dealer). Now with ~126,000 miles on vehicle, head gasket may have blown again. All three motor mounts and harmonic stabilizer were replaced (all mounts were leaking or cracked).”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2003
“Power steering failure, motor mount failure, head gasket leak and the transmission seals leak. Car has 75000 miles. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2003
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2002
“This car has been meticulously maintained and had all regular maintenance. We are concerned that the head gasket problem is the same as the one in the 1994 recall and that this should apply to our car as well. We are also concerned after reading many reports of multiple head gasket failures on the same car.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2002
“We have had so many problems where would you start. The rear air bags exploded shortly after we bought it. We have had electrical problems, coolent leaks, and belt problems. One trip to oklahoma cost a transmission, and the next trip, the head gaskets on the engine.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2001
“Intermittently headlights go out for brief intervals. A recall has been issued on make and model. However, this vehicles was not included due to VIN. *ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2001
“Consumer reported to dealer on defective head gaskets. Dealer has been contatced. Please provide further details.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 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 - 4 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.
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 1993 Lincoln Continental reliable?
NHTSA has 121 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Lincoln Continental. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (52% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Lincoln Continental problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 74,000 miles or less.
Does the 1993 Lincoln Continental have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights:switch. 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.