Problems · NHTSA complaints
1996 Lincoln Continental problems
Owners filed 48 complaints about the 1996 Lincoln Continental with NHTSA between Aug 1996 and Feb 2009. The most-cited component is suspension (12).
Complaints
48
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Suspension12
- Visibility8
- Power train6
- Steering6
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Exterior lighting2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Service brakes, hydraulic2
- Electrical system2
- Structure2
- Seats2
- Tires1
- Wheels1
- Equipment1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
4
10
2
5
4
11
6
1
1
0
1
2
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 4 |
| 1997 | 10 |
| 1998 | 2 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Suspension
12 reports
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE RESTS 12 INCHES HIGHER ON ONE SIDE THAN THE OTHER, FROM THE FRONT END TO THE REAR. AS A RESULT, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE UPWARDS TOWARDS THE SKY OR DOWNWARDS INTO THE GROUND. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS GONE INTO AIR SHOCK, FORCING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL AND DRIVE OFF THE ROAD. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 160,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.”
Visibility
8 reports
“I HAVE CONTACTED LINCOLN ABOUT THE PAINT AND MIRRORS AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE MIRROR IS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS DISCOLORED AND DISTORED. I HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR TO AN AUTOBODY SHOP PER DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A DEFECTED PAINT JOB FROM THE LINCOLN. THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. DT”
Power train
6 reports1 crash1 related recall
“CONSUMER STARTED NOTICING THAT WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THEN TRYING TO CONTINUE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO, OR IT WILL JERK ABOUT A FOOT. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN IN DRIVE TO RESUME. *JG”
Steering
6 reports
“POWER STEERING GEAR FAILED. NLM”
Engine and engine cooling
3 reports
“HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION SYSTEM OF THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THAT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAS ALSO BEEN SUGGESTED TO ME THAT THE ENGINE OF THIS VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF SEAL/GASKET FAILURES. WE VERY MUCH LIKE THIS VEHICLE AND ARE CONSIDERING WHETHER TO TRADE THIS VEHICLE OR PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOME EXPERT HISTORY INFO ON WHICH TO BASE OUR DECISIONS.”
Exterior lighting
2 reports1 related recall
“LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT ON DRIVER'S SIDE WENT OUT. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.