2001 Lincoln Continental: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 32 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (23% of complaints).
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 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I'm a new owner I only had the car for two years and the steering wheel feels funny when I'm driving or turning the wheel and I hear a noise when I turn it .”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2018
“I was backing out of my garage at home and when I turned my steering wheel, the left front spring broke and shredded the inside of the tire. I checked the area that the spring broke, and it was clean, unrusted metal, there was no sign of an impending failure, just a sudden break.”Owner report · Wheels · Jul 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 lincoln continental. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 65 mph, smoke started emitting from the steering column and near the wiper switch. Also, the contact noticed that the low washer fluid sensor illuminated intermittently and that under the hood there was a disconnected piece. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician replenished the windshield washer fluid and fixed the detached piece. Was not able to replicate or diagnose the failure. However, the remedy failed to repair the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“While backing the car out of the driveway after it had been sitting overnight, there was a loud pop and the front driver's side tire went flat. After removing the wheel, I saw that the large coil suspension spring had broken and that the sharp end of the broken spring had sliced open the inside sidewall of the tire. The car is sitting the driveway waiting for part I ordered. I can not believe it cost $690.00 each for coil springs that's' crazy . And that there is no recall since I have been reading a lot of this same complaint. This is a 2001 and the mileage is still low only 50,000 miles. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2014
“While backing the car out of the garage after it had been sitting overnight, there was a loud pop and the front driver's side tire went flat. After removing the wheel, I saw that the large coil suspension spring had broken and that the sharp end of the broken spring had sliced open the inside sidewall of the tire. The car is now in the shop, so the VIN and exact mileage are not available. If this had happened at highway speed, a serious accident could have occurred. My mechanic tells me that he has seen this problem with ford products before. If this is a common occurrence, why hasn't there been a recall for this serious safety problem? *tr”Owner report · Suspension · May 2013
“Coil spring on left front strut broke, rubbed through sidewall of tire causing blowout. Wife was real lucky this was in town at low speed. Could have been catastrophic on freeway. Parts are real expensive $450 each side plus one new tire, I'm going to get both sides done because I don't trust the other one now. I have the parts ordered. I will save failed part. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 lincoln continental. While backing out of the driveway and accelerating forward, the contact heard a rubbing noise coming from the front of the vehicle. He immediately pulled off the road and noticed that the front passenger side was leaning on the tire. He attempted to change the tire and discovered that the coil spring failed and punctured the tire. The current mileage was 90,052 and failure mileage was 89,755. Updated 02-12-08 bf * updated 02/12/08 *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 lincoln continental. While backing out of the garage, the vehicle jerked. The contact continued to back up the vehicle and the tire blew out. He exited the vehicle and discovered that the driver side front coil spring failed and punctured the tire. The dealer was notified. The current mileage was 113,371 and failure mileage was 113,350. Updated 01-29-08. *kb”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 lincoln continental. While driving 45 mph or greater, the vehicle veered to the right. The mechanic stated that the rear upper ball joint failed and the part was unavailable. The manufacturer stated that the wait could be 2-6 months. The contact felt that the wait time for the part was unacceptable. The mechanic was able to locate one part; however, as of november 1, 2007, the mechanic had not repaired the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 79,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2007
“2001 lincoln continental condensation in front headlamp seal. Customer believes there is something wrong with the seal. Manufacturer stated it was her responsibility to replace it. *kb the consumer is seeking relief for repairs and or possible replacement if necessary and attached extended warranty. *tr updated 12/12/2007 *bf updated 12/12/07”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPLETE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, OR IGNITION OF THE PLASTIC COVER MATERIAL. SWITCH MALFUNCTION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE INTERMITTENT SETTING OF THE WIPERS IS BEING USED, OR WHEN SNOW OR ICE OBSTRUCTS THE BLADES FROM RETURNING TO THE "PARKED" POSITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT AT THE FOLLOWING ASSEMBLY PLANTS: ATLANTA PLANT FROM 2/11/00 THROUGH 7/31/00; CHICAGO PLANT FROM 2/14/00 THROUGH 8/4/00; KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 2/26/00 TO 9/4/00; KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/18/00 TO 8/31/00; MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/23/00 THROUGH 8/3/00; NORFOLK PLANT FROM 2/21/00 THROUGH 7/27/00; WAYNE STAMPING AND ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 2/25/00 THROUGH 8/15/00; AND WIXOM PLANT FROM 2/15/00 THROUGH 8/8/00.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE WIPER MOTOR. MOTORS BUILT WITH THE SUSPECT TIME FRAME WILL HAVE THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
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 2001 Lincoln Continental reliable?
NHTSA has 32 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Lincoln Continental. The most complained-about area is suspension (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Lincoln Continental problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 75,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Lincoln Continental have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor. 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.