1994 Lincoln Continental: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 190 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (35% of complaints); the 1995 and 1996 model years look more trouble-free.
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 190 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Transmission failure while driving into work on interstate highway. Total rebuild required at 87456 miles on car, cost $1800.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 lincoln continental. The contact stated while driving in reverse and turning the steering wheel to the left, a sudden popping noise was present on the front driver side of the vehicle. Suddenly, the contact was unable to turn the steering wheel to the left. After inspecting the vehicle the contact noticed that the sub frame bolts had separated from the vehicle. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The failure mileage was 147,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 lincoln continental. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the oil pressure gauge suddenly decreased and a chime sounded inside the vehicle. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they were unable to locate the issue. The VIN was unavailable. The manufacturer had not been notified. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2013
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“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 lincoln continental. The contact stated that the steering wheel would shake violently and the vehicle would pull to the right. The contact also heard a loud clunking noise. A local mechanic diagnosed that the subframe was cracked but the vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were contacted and made the contact aware that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 98v323000 (structure:frame and members). The failure mileage was 179,500 and the current mileage was 180,000.”Owner report · Structure · May 2011
“Continuation of previous complaint. Response from letter to pres. Of ford on 3.8l v6 engine head gasket failure on lincoln continental with 54,436 miles on it: ford basically said "tough luck". Dealer saying $1,700 to $3,000 plus to fix. My independent mechanic informs me there is another alternative. There are several product available to fix the head gasket in the car. One he has used, and works, is "steel seal". Cost about $70 for product, plus a new thermostat, and new coolant. I figure worst case around $400 for everything. It's worth the gamble. As it is now the car is junk or the repair from ford is more that the value of the car.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2005
“1) sudden rough running engine 2) blown head gasket with gray/white smoke from both exhaust pipes 3) no correction done so far. Parked car and trying to determine proper step to correct the problem. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2005
“While driving 20 mph engine and transmission fell out of the vehicle. As a result the steering failed. Dealer stated sub frame corroded. Recall 98v323000 was issued for the lower cradle bolts. However, a different part of the cradle bolts failed so the consumer has to pay for the repairs. *ak”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2004
“My 1994 lincoln conitental has only 68,000 miles. The head gasket blew last friday. In searching the internet, ford knew of the head gasket design defect in 1988 yet continued to emplace this defective engine in their motor vehicles. As a result of their wilfull neglect, I will have to pay an estimated $1200-1800 to have the heads repaired. One website tallied 2,114 similar engine complaints by 1998.”Owner report · Aug 2004
“Headlights remained on while vehicle was turned off. Consumer unhooked the battery to keep the battery charged and a buzzing noise was heard coming from underneath the dashboard. Consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that a headlight switch needed to be replaced. *ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2004
“Stong gas odor inside of car when gas tank is near empty. Odor does not occur everytime gas tank in close to empty, and never occurs when tank is full. Have taken car into dealership twice, and they can smell the gas, but had trouble locating the problem. They found something in their technical service bulletin from 1997 that had to do with a vapor vent hose that runs under the back seat of vehicle and when reaches temps of 90 degrees or more, fuel fumes were coming into vehicle when the max a/c is on. This is very similar to my problem. The kit unfortunately is no longer manufactured and they could not locate one, but are going to try to create their own kit.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD RETAINER (HAIRPIN CLIP) MAY BE MISSING OR NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED ON THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAN CAUSE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKE PUSHROD AND LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RETAINER.
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 1994 Lincoln Continental reliable?
NHTSA has 190 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Lincoln Continental. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Lincoln Continental problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 87,456 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Lincoln Continental have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages. 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.