1988 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON UNTIL CONSUMER PUSHES ON THROTTLE SWITCH. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
TRANSMISSION ONLY OPERATE IN REVERSE, ALL FORWARD GEAR SARE INOPERATIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING WHILE IN REVERSE OR INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT MULTIPLE SPEED. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, ALMOST ALL LINCOLN'S WITH THIS AIR SUSPENSION HAS EXPERIENCED COSTLY REPAIRS.*AK
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD AN IGNITION PROBLEM THAT CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL, DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT SINCE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF IGNITION PROBLEM.*JB
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD AN IGNITION PROBLEM THAT CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL, DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT SINCE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF IGNITION PROBLEM.*JB
RECALL 88V101000; AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE DOES NOT MEET FORD'S PULL OUT LOAD SPECIFICATIONS FOR SWIVEL TUBE PORTION OF CABLE, WHICH COULD ALLOW THE SWIVELTUBE TO SEPARATE FROM SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY. PLEASE PROVIE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NYLON SHIELD WIRING HARNESS LOCATED IN ENGINE COMPERTMENT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO HEAT AND MELTING OF NYLON MATERIAL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURATHER INFORMATION.*AK
I CONTACTED FORD ON 01/30/01 IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA'S RECALL #88V118000. EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEMS THAT MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ARE IDENTICAL TO THOSE MENTIONED ON YOUR SITE, FORD SAID MY VIN WAS NOT AFFECTED. I EXPLIANED TO THEM THAT MY PROBLEMS WERE IDENTICAL AND I WANTED THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE...
WHEN TURNING OFF IGNITION CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. PROBLEM MIGHT BE LINKED TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSED A FIRE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
SUBFRAME BUSHINGS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 93V-106, CONSUMER RQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
SUBFRAME BUSHINGS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 93V-106, CONSUMER RQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART AFTER MAKING A LONG TRIP. BATTERY HAD ENOUGH POWER. VEHICLE WILL ACTUALLY HAVE TO COOL OFF BEFORE VEHICLE CAN RESTART, USUALLY WAITING ABOUT 7 HOURS. CONSUMER HAS BEEN TO NUMEROUS REPAIR SHOPS, AND DEALERS, BUT NO ONE COULD DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK
RECALL REPAIR 91V-134 OF THE BRAKE ROTORS WAS NOT REPAIRED IN A TIMELY MANNER DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. NLM
THE MOUNTS BETWEEN THE BODY AND SUBFRAME BELIEVED TO BE CALLED THE BODY INSULATORS WHICH HOLD THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION IN PLACE FAILED DUE TO ERROSION. THE MOUNTING BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINIG WASHER AND THE RUBBER MOUNT ALLOWING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO FALL ONTO THE GROUND. BOTH R...
THE MOUNTS BETWEEN THE BODY AND SUBFRAME BELIEVED TO BE CALLED THE BODY INSULATORS WHICH HOLD THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION IN PLACE FAILED DUE TO ERROSION. THE MOUNTING BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINIG WASHER AND THE RUBBER MOUNT ALLOWING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO FALL ONTO THE GROUND. BOTH R...
FUEL LINE FROM GAS TANK TO ENGINE IS LEAKING AT RIGHT DOOR PILLAR UNDRBODY. INSPECTION REVEALS THE GAS LINE TO BE PLASTIC OF SOME TYPE, AND THE LEAK IS AT THE JUNCTION OF WHERE 2 LENGHTS OF FUEL LINE ARE JOINED TOGETHER AT THE FACTORY. IMMINENT FIRE HAZARD. HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ON MECURY SA...
FUEL LINE FROM GAS TANK TO ENGINE IS LEAKING AT RIGHT DOOR PILLAR UNDRBODY. INSPECTION REVEALS THE GAS LINE TO BE PLASTIC OF SOME TYPE, AND THE LEAK IS AT THE JUNCTION OF WHERE 2 LENGHTS OF FUEL LINE ARE JOINED TOGETHER AT THE FACTORY. IMMINENT FIRE HAZARD. HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ON MECURY SA...
CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL NHTSA 98V323000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 98S36/ REAR SUBFRAME. DEALER CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, WHEN DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT SUBFRAME BROKE. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FUR...
R/R BRAKE ENGAGES OR REMAINS ENGAGED SPORADICALLY CAUSING EXTREME OVERHEATING AND A FIRE (ONE OCCASION). DEALER UNABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM ON THE TWO OCCASIONS IT WAS TOWED IN. *AK
REAR AIR SHOCKS FAILED. YH
WHEEL FELL OFF CAUSING VEHICLE DAMAGE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS
WHEN TRAVELING AND UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD,RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TOOK BACK TO BE USED. DEALER REPLACED ALTERNATOR. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, LATER. TOOK VEHICLE BACK & WAS INFORMED THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. *AK
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TOOK BACK TO BE USED. DEALER REPLACED ALTERNATOR. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, LATER. TOOK VEHICLE BACK & WAS INFORMED THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. *AK
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TOOK BACK TO BE USED. DEALER REPLACED ALTERNATOR. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, LATER. TOOK VEHICLE BACK & WAS INFORMED THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. *AK
SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY FELL OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, AND EXTENSIVE VEHICLE DAMAGE PRIOR TO RECAL NOTICE 98536. *YC
A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED. *YC
A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED. *YC
CONSUMERS FRONT END SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY FELL OUT CAUSING DRIVER TO LOOSE STEERING CONTROL PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE. CAMPAIGN #93V106
A/C SYSTEM AND COMPRESSOR FAILED.
CONSUMER PUTS VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE. *AK
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONSTANTLY GOES OUT, AND THE CONSUMER HAS TO KEEP BUYING BATTERIES. THE DEFECTS ARE DESCRIBED IN RECALL NUMBER 88V118000. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF RECALL REPAIR CONCERNING NHTSA RECALL # 93V -06 FAILURE. THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUB-FRAME, WHICH SUPPORT THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, MAY BECOME DETACHED DUE TO CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT RETAINNING PLATE. THIS WOULD ALLOW REAR CORNERS OF SUB-FRAME T...
DIGITAL DASH WITH INDICATORS CANNOT BE READ IN DAYLIGHT. DEALER CONTACTED AND WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. STATED IT WAS A DESIGN DEFECT. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING HARNESS FAILS INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND VARIOUS COMPONENTS TO FAIL.
VEHICLE OVERHEATS.
RETAINING PLATES ON BODY MOUNTS RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL DUE TO FAILURE, RECALL ON COMPONENT HOWEVER VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY DUE TO VIN.
THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRES MELTED WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A FIRE. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK
DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT 10 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT WINDSHIELD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY DETAILS. *AK
DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT 10 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT WINDSHIELD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY DETAILS. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR , WHILE ON THE ALIGNMENT RACK , THE FRONT AIR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY BLEW ABRUPTLY. THE OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK
THE BODY MOUNTS WHICH SUPPORT THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISION BECAME DETACHED DUE TO CORROSION, CAUSING THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION TO DROP. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THERE IS A RECALL LISTED FOR THIS PROBLEM, VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT SUDDENLY STOPS. DEALER TRIED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK IT IS HARD TO START. *YD
ABS: POWER BRAKES WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, NEARLY CAUSING A CRASH, ONLY MANUAL RESERVE BRAKES WORKED. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING STALLING.
BRAKE PADS/SHOES FAILED.
ROTORS FAILED.
RECALL REPAIR NOT PERFORMED ON ANTI LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT DUE TO VIN.
VEHICLE KEEPS BOTTOMING OUT. HAS REPLACED FRONT TIRES TWICE IN 6 MONTH PERIOD. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH INTERNAL CONTACTS FAILED, CAUSING OVERHEATING OF SWITCH/BURNED INSULATION OF WIRING AND LOSS OF CHARGING CIRCUIT.
INTERNAL CONTACTS FAILED CAUSING, BURNED INSULATION OF WIRING.
INTERNAL CONTACTS FAILED CAUSING, LOSS OF CAAROING CIRCUIT.
INTERNAL CONTACTS FAILED CAUSING, LOSS OF INSTRUMENTATION.
THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING, ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING.
THE POWER STEERING SUPPORT BRACKET BROKE, CAUSING THE IDLER PULLEY TO FALL INTO THE ENGINE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING DOWN STREET ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES AND THERE WERE NONE, THE VEHICLE HAD NO POWER OF ELECTRICAL CURRENT AT ALL. *AK
BRAKE FAILURE. *AK
THE SUBFRAME BUSHINGS RUSTED AND FELL OUT OF THE CAR, ALSO RACK AND PINION ROD BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. *AK
THE SUBFRAME BUSHINGS RUSTED AND FELL OUT OF THE CAR, ALSO RACK AND PINION ROD BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. *AK
ANTILOCK BRAKE FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
IGNITION SWITCH OVERHEATS, SENDS TOO MUCH CURRENT, SUBJECT TO SHORT, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER BRAKES. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH OVERHEATS, SENDS TOO MUCH CURRENT, SUBJECT TO SHORT, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER BRAKES. *AK
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM REPAIRS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHICH CAUSED ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS.
DOOR HANDLE ON DRIVERS SIDE FAILED.
HOOD LATCH FAILED.
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
FRONT WINDOW MOTOR FAILED.
P/S PUMP AND COOLER FAILED.
VARIOUS LIGHTS IN THE SYSTEM FAILED SEVERAL TIMES.
DRIVER'S SIDE INNER DOOR HANDLE SPRING BROKE, CAUSING DOOR TO OPEN WHEN WINDOW IS OPEN. *SD
WHILE DRIVING, SMELT BURNING WIRES, TURNED OFF IGNITION, VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART, TOTALLY DEAD; IGNITION SWITCH BURNED INTERNALLY, SWITCH/WIRING REPLACED.*AK
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT WHILE DRIVING, BURNING, LIKE ODOR; REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH CONNECTOR AND WIRING. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE. *SD
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING SEVERAL RELAYS TO MELT/FAIL. *DSH
SPARE TIRE BLEW OUT IN TRUNK CAUSING DAMAGE TO TRUNK AND CONTENTS OF TRUNK. *DSH
ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE WIRING HARNESS TO BURN. *AK
INITIALLY EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS STARTING, DEALER FOUND WIRING ON TWO SEPARATE OCCAISIONS HAD BURNT INSIDE STEERING COLUMN, AND REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. *AK
VEHICLE STALLED OUT ON NUMBER OF TIMES DUE TO A MELTED SWITCH AND OTHER PARTS IN THE STEERING COLUMN, DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH. *AK
VEHICLE STALLED OUT ON NUMBER OF TIMES DUE TO A MELTED SWITCH AND OTHER PARTS IN THE STEERING COLUMN, DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH. *AK
THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED UNDER PREVIOUS OWNER.NOW THE RECALL PART DOES NOT WORK AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT. *AK *JB
TIE ROD FAILED. (SECOND CAR ON 502297) *DH
ALTERNATOR FAILED.
ENGINE OVERHEATED/BLEW UP.
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED.
WORN TIRES BLEW OUT, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. *SD
ALTERNATOR REPLACED. *SD
BRAKES FAILED. *SD
STARTER REPLACED. *SD
TIE ROD REPLACED. *SD
A/C CLUTCH AND BEARING FAULTY, CAUSING VIBRATION IN AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR. *SD
IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. *SD
COMPUTER FAILED. *SD
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES REPLACED. *SD
CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. *SD
TRANSMISSION VIBRATES/SLIPS. *SD
CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE. *SD
ENGINE FAILURE. *SD
OTHER : AIR BAG SENSORS REPLACED. *SD
SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED. *SD
BATTERY REPLACED. *SD
DRIVER'S SEAT ROCKS DUE TO BROKEN BOLT. *SD
BRAKE FAILURE. *SD
ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED. *SD
WIRING PROBLEMS. *SD
POWER STEERING FAILED. *SD
ABS BRAKES LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES. TT
STARTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, VEHICLE WENT INTO AN OPEN POSITION, WENT INTO REVERSE VEHICLE WENT OF CONTROL, IMPACT 6:00 POSITION SPEED UNKNOWN. TT
THE POWER BRAKES FAIL BY APPLYING THE BRAKES AND THEY DO NOT STOP THE CAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
ABS, BRAKE FAILURE REPLACED THE BRAKE SYSTEMS, IMPACT 12:00, SPEED 3 MPH, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE , PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. TT
CONSUMER HAS MANY PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE ODOMETER TAMPERING. CONSUMER WILL LIST PROBLEM . TT
BRAKES MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. *DSH
UPON PARKING NOTICED SMOKE, COMING FROM UNDERHOOD, THEN VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND TOTALLY BURNED. TT
HEAD GASKET FAILED. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH WIRING SHORTED OUT PRIOR TO RECALL, CAUSING FAILURE OF DIGITAL DASH, ANTILOCK BRAKES/A/C, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO BEING OUT OF DATE. *SD
DRIVERS SEAT FRAME CRACKED, MAKING SEAT UNSTABLE. *DSH
THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT, SPUTTERS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. TT
THE POWER STEERING LINE WENT OUT PURCHASE USED. TT
BOLT AND WASHER FELL THROUGH FRONT SUSPENSION CAUSING POWER STEERING TO COLLAPSE. TT
BOLT AND WASHER FELL THROUGH FRONT SUSPENSION CAUSING POWER STEERING TO COLLAPSE. TT
CONSUMER INSISTED TO HAVE RECALLED MOUNTS ON CAR TO BE REPLACED (2 REPLACEMENTS). TT
HAD ENGINE REPLACED AT 30,000 MILE. TT
VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. TT
BRAKE PAD OVERHEATED, CAN'T TURN THEM. TT
BRAKE ROTOR OVERHEATED, CAN'T TURN THEM. TT
REPLACED KEY PAD SIX TIMES. *AK
STARTER REPLACED THREE TIMES. *AK
ALTERNATOR REPLACED TWICE. *AK
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *AK
BATTERY REPLACED TWICE. *AK
CV BOOT REPLACED.
AIR CONDITIONER LEAKS.
SHORT IN CRUISE CONTROL/HORN SWITCH.
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS OVERHEAT.
ALTERNATOR/REGULATOR REPLACED. *SKD
REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS FAILED. *SKD
K-FRAME HOLDING TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE DROPPED CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSS STEERING CONTROL. TT
WIRING HARNESS FIRE. *AW
ABS: TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE, INCLUDING EMERGENCY BRAKES, WHILE COMING TO STOP; PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR; COASTED TO STOP; SPEED 20 MPH; NO WARNING. TT
ABS: TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE, INCLUDING EMERGENCY BRAKES, WHILE COMING TO STOP; PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR; COASTED TO STOP; SPEED 20 MPH; NO WARNING. TT
FRONT SUSPENSION BOLTS FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURIES. TT
TORSION SPRINGS RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED BECAUSE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT PROBLEM WAS TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE AND RECENT RECALL DOES NOT APPLY (88V-030). *AK
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *SKD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED DUE TO VEHICLE BEING IN WATER.
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *SKD
TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *TW