1997 Lincoln Continental: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 96 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (16% of complaints); the 1996 and 1999 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Shortly after start, 200m, engine still cold , I smell smoke,,stopted immediatly passing bridge, smoke still, more intensive. I talk to drivers around to call fire departement. Took only blouse close to me and leave the car. Moke and first fire started right from feed space. No fire in engine area. .”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 lincoln continental. The contact started the vehicle and the vehicle lunged forward abnormally, while still in park. The check engine lamp was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the pressure regulator solenoid and the neutral safety switch were defective. As a result, the park pawl abutment bracket needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 96v166000 (power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 172,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 lincoln continental. The contact stated that the transmission failed at 40,000 miles and had to be replace. Also, the contact mentioned that while driving 35 mph the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnose that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 lincoln continental. The contact noticed the driver side front tire was flat. The vehicle was towed and the mechanic diagnosed the failure as the front coil springs and struts having failed. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 103,388. The vehicle has been repaired. The contact has the repair invoices.”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2007
“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.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control · Dec 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated the rear view mirror failed to dim automatically. The mirror is supposed to prevent glare from the other vehicles' lights. The mirror failed due to unknown circumstances the first time. The dealership replaced the rear view mirror. The second mirror failed because the liquid in the mirror leaked out. The rear view mirror was replaced again. The problem occurred a third time and the mirror was replaced. Although the problem had occurred a fourth time the mirror has not been replaced. Updated 2/21/2006 - *nm”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2005
“Dt: the windows in the vehicle will not roll down. This has happened numerous times. The vehicle is at dealer now, and they can't get windows down.. Dealer said it needed a rotor cup. This happens every week with the windows not working properly.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2005
“Coolant leaked into the passenger compartment which caused fumes to fill up the interior of the vehicle. This caused the consumer to have visibility problems. The windshield was severely fogged up. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2004
“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.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2004
“Rearview mirror was dark and consumer was unable to see. Mirror had an automatic dimmer process in which the material faded into the mirror. This caused poor visibility. Consumer drive vehicle to dealer, and mechanic informed consumer that this vehicle was not on recall, and warranty expired. Consumer had to pay for parts and labor. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
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.
Remedy: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.
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 1997 Lincoln Continental reliable?
NHTSA has 96 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Lincoln Continental. The most complained-about area is visibility (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Lincoln Continental problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 59,075 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Lincoln Continental have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl). 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.