Safety ratings
1992 Lincoln Continental 4-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (3)
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCampaign 97V025000 · 26/02/1997
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.
Risk: DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FANCampaign 97V019000 · 25/02/1997
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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
- STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERSCampaign 98V323000 · 16/12/1998
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.
Risk: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING45
- SUSPENSION19
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15
- SERVICE BRAKES14
- HYDRAULIC14
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11
- EQUIPMENT9
- POWER TRAIN8
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/29/1997· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
- 12/28/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
- 12/27/2001· UNKNOWN OR OTHERFire
ON 12/14/2001, MY WIFE TEREZ KADAR HEARD THE SMOKE DETECTOR IN OUR HOME GO OFF. SHE DISCOVERED THE DOWNSTAIRS BASEMENT DEN OF OUR HOME WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. SHE CALLED "911" AND IMMEDIATELY LEFT THE HOUSE AND WAITED AT A NEIGHBORS FOR FIRE PERSONNEL TO ARRIVE. *AK
- 12/15/1997· SUSPENSION
AIR CUSHIONED CONTROL CANISTER "DRYER" FAILED CAUSING REAR TO SAG AND TROUBLE WITH CONTROL OF VEHICLE.
- 12/04/1996· STEERING
STEERING PROBLEMS, STICKING ON OCCASIONS.
- 12/03/1998· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
WHILE PARKED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE LEFT SIDE FRONT UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
- 12/01/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE 3.8 LITER WITH V6; HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 77,000 MILES . MAUNFACTURR WILL NOT COVER HEAD GASKET EVEN WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY.*AK
- 12/01/1997· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE GO OUT ERRATICALLY. DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. *AK
- 11/29/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE TRAVELING 50MPH ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE STARTED TO ACELLERATE. ALSO, LEFT FRONT CALIPERS LOCKED UP. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
- 11/26/2001· SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING STRUTS/ SHOCKS WENT OUT, CAUSING LEVELERS NOT TO WORK PROPERLY. VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT, AND STEERING BECAME VERY HARD. HAD TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC INDICATED REAR SHOCKS/STRUTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *AK
- 11/25/1998· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHENEVER DRIVING VEHICLE AT NIGHT & THE HIGH BEAMS ARE ENGAGED, THE WOULD GO OUT. WOULD HAVE NO WARNING. AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. WOULD PULL BUTTON FORWARD & HOLD BY HAND TO OPERATE. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK HIGH BEAMS AGAIN. *AK
- 11/22/1999· AIR BAGSCrash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A VERY SERIOUS CRASH, VEHICLE WENT INTO A DITCH WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MPH. HIT A DRIVEWAY, WENT AIR BORNE AND LANDED INTO A DITCH. UPON IMPACT, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOTALED. DRIVER RECEIVED INTERNAL INJURIES TO HER CHEST. *AK
- 11/16/2003· POWER TRAIN
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
- 11/15/1999· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
- 11/09/1999· SUSPENSION
THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE SITS ABOUT TWO INCHES OFF THE GROUND. *MJS
- 11/09/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HEAD GASKET IS FAILING.
- 11/05/1998· SUSPENSION
STRUT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BROKE OFF, ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
- 11/03/1997· POWER TRAIN
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
- 11/01/1995· AIR BAGSCrash
REAR ENDED VEHICLE. EXPLOSION OF AIRBAG DURING DEPLOYMENT. RESULTING IN LOSS OF HEARING. TT
- 10/31/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE AFTER LOSS OF COOLANT. *AK
- 10/31/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
- 10/30/1998· SUSPENSION
THE AIR RIDE SUSPENSION WILL DEFLATE CAUSING LACK OF CONTROL AT ALL SPEEDS. BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR OF VEHICLE ALMOST SIT ON TOP OF THE TIRES MAKING STEERING DIFICULT. THIS PROBLEM IS COVERED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL SO ITS SOMTHING FORD KNOWS THEY NEED TO FIX. PLEASE HELP GET THIS FIXED ON A RECALL ITS NOT THE FIRST LINCOLN I HAVE HAD THAT HAS DONE THIS.
- 10/29/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING EXTENSIVE ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO OVER HEATING. MJS
- 10/29/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTIONS. YH
- 10/27/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HEAD GASKET STARTING TO FAIL CAUSING EXHAUST TO SMELL SWEET FROM COOLANT LEAKING INTO EXHAUST, RECALL ON HEAD GASKET HOWEVER VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO VIN #.
- 10/26/1999· SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AIR PUMP IN WHICH THE AIR IS IN AND THE SHOCK/STRUTS BROKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO DOWN TO THE GROUND. *AK
- 10/24/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EVERY 3,000 TO 6,000 MILES THE ROTORS HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THERE'S A VIBRATION WHEN THE ABS BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT HIGH SPEEDS. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN DETAIL *AK
- 10/20/2000· SUSPENSION,EQUIPMENT
THE SELF LEVELING AIR SHOCKS ARE LOSING AIR AND THE COMPRESSOR RUNS ALL THE TIME. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS WILL COST ME $500 PER WHEEL TO CORRECT. ALTHOUGH MY CAR HAS ALOT OF MILES ON IT, I CAN'T EVEN TRADE IT IN BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS IT HAS. I WONDER IF OTHER LINCOLN OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. IS THIS JUST NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR? I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THIS CAR.
- 10/17/2001· SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR RIDE CONTROL COMES ON, CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT AND REAR SPRING AND SHOCK ABSORBER ASSEMBLIES, CONSUMER STATES THE PROBLEM ALWAYS STARTS WITH THE CONSTANTLY RUNNING AIR PUMP. *SLC
- 10/17/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATES THE CHECK DCL LIGHT ILLUMINATES, ACCOMPANIED BY A BEEP SOUND, ON THE MESSAGE CENTER, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER NOT TO WORRY, HOWEVER CONSUMER STATES IT IS ANNOYING AND IS OCCURRING SOMETIMES AS OFTEN AS 3 TIMES A DAY, THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 1999. *SLC
- 10/17/1997· STRUCTURE
REAR SUB-FRAME BODY MOUNTS DETACHED PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS (93V-106.002). *AK
- 10/14/1997· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LIGHTS DIMMING MECHANISM FAILED. YH
- 10/14/1997· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED & ENGINE IS TURNED OFF, VEHICLE CAN BE RESTARTED WITHOUT USING A KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. HAVE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET. *AK
- 10/12/2001· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE ACCELERATES OUT OF CONTROL, DRIVER THREW IT OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK, IT AGAIN WENT BACK TO IDLE ON ITS OWN.
- 10/07/1999· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFire
A WIRE GROUNDED IN THE FUEL TANK, CAUSING FIRES INSIDE THE TANK. WIRING NEEDS TO BE REWIRED. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLES GAS TANK TO EXPLODE. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE.
- 10/07/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM, RECALL COMPONENT HOWEVER OWNER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL, RECENT REPAIR OF THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET WAS POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE RECALL COMPONENT FAILURE (92M77).
- 10/02/2000· SUSPENSION
WITH IN 10 MONTHS ALL FOUR AIR SUSPENSIONS FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE DROPPING TO THE FRAME, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AND CRASH. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK EACH DIAPHRAM THAT FAILED WAS DUE TO SALT CORROSSION. *YH
- 10/02/1997· EQUIPMENT
AIR CONDITIONER HOSE BROKE.
- 10/02/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE, WHEN BRAKING THERE IS A VIBRATION OF THE FRONT WHEELS. TT
- 09/30/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THIS LINCOLN NOW HAS 147,000 MILES ON IT . THE HEAD GASKETS ARE LEAKING AGAIN, THEY WERE REPLACED 2 TIMES ALREADY. GETTING CHECK DCL LIGHT, BUZZER ALL THE TIME, THIS WAS FIXED ONCE ALREADY. A/C STILL BLOWS HOT AIR. I WILL NEVER BUY A LINCOLN AGAIN.. I HAVE SPENT TO MUCH MONEY FIXING FORDS REACURRING PROBLEMS.
- 09/24/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING WHILE DRIVING. LEARNED LATER THAT HEAD GASKET WAS BROKEN.DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL, AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK
- 09/11/1997· STRUCTURE
COOLING FAN WIRING RECALL WORK NOT RECEIVED.
- 09/10/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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
- 09/08/1997· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE TO RELEASE CRUISE CONTROL MODE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT RELEASE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO SHUT SYSTEM DOWN MANUALLY. AFTER HAVING RECALL#97V025000 DONE ON SPEED CONTROL. *AK
- 09/08/1997· STRUCTURE
REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, THE FAILED COMPONENT IS THE LOCK ACTUATOR.
- 09/07/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WORN MOUNT ALLOWS ENGINE TO SHIFT AND BIND STEERING SO YOU CAN'T TURN TO THE RIGHT.*AK
- 09/06/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HEAD GASKET LEAK CAUSED OVERHEAT, COMMON PROBLEM, RECALL ON OTHER YEARS, $1500 REPAIR, IF THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS WHY WON'T THEY RECALL THE 1992?*AK
- 09/02/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE MAKING ANY TURN THE CAR WILL CUT OFF. *AK
- 08/29/2002· SUSPENSION
REAR AIR SHOCKS WILL CAUSE VEHICLE TO HEAVILY VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
- 08/28/2000· SUSPENSION
THE AIR BAG SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAS FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHEN THIS OCCURS THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE BOUNCES ON THE ROAD. *MJS