1987 Lincoln Continental Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Lincoln Continental (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1987 Lincoln Continental. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by suspension (3) and transmission and drivetrain (2). Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system3 33%
- Suspension3 33%
- Brakes1 11%
- Engine cooling1 11%
- Equipment1 11%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “The ignition module on vehicle became inoperative, causing vehicle to stall as consumer was driving, the ignition module failed due to excessive heat, its location being on the distributor.”
NHTSA complaint #562199, filed 2001-07Suspension: “Front wheels and tires are not able to clear the wheel-well, resulting in full turning radiaus failure. There is a conversion kit to change the suspension from air-ride to gil springs, if not changed there is a pontential accident waiting to happen.”
NHTSA complaint #9004605, filed 2001-10Transmission and drivetrain: “I was driving at about 25 MPH when I noticed the transmission slipping. I drove home about 5 miles. Knowing a little about cars I lifted the hood to check the transmission fluid. The level was fine but the fluid looked a little dark to me. I smelled the fluid and it smelled burnt. The transmission had been fine up to that point so I looked around to see if I could see anything else wrong. I noticed that the transmission control cable that attaches to the throttle was hanging loose. I took out my shop manual and copied the page with the linkage on it and went to a Lincoln dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #753701, filed 2001-10Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 Lincoln Continental version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 87V139000Sep 4, 1987Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Lincoln Continental 1986–1987, Ford Escort 1986–1988, Lincoln Town CAR 1986–1988 +18 more
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Recall details for the 1987 Lincoln Continental → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA94008Broken tie rodsClosed · Feb 16, 1994
- PE93036Air suspension failureClosed · Apr 12, 1993
- PE88100ABS FAILUREClosed · Sep 6, 1988
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 Lincoln Continental.
Other model years of the Lincoln Continental
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 7 | 5,000 | 2 | 5 | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 33 | 27,000 | 3 | 5 | 21 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2018 | 21 | 78,500 | 2 | 5 | 21 | — | Rising |
| 2017 | 75 | 50,000 | 4 | 5 | 21 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2002 | 33 | 60,500 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 32 | 75,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 63 | 86,500 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 42 | 90,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 72 | 100,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 96 | 59,075 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 48 | 96,683 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 70 | 102,073 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 190 | 87,456 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 121 | 74,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 126 | 101,050 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 203 | 120,226 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 158 | 58,500 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 158 | 133,500 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 84 | — | 9 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 9 | — | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 8 | 90,000 | 5 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 15 | — | 2 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 6 | — | 2 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
All Lincoln Continental model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Lincoln Continental have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1987 Lincoln Continental as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Lincoln Continental is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by suspension with 3.
Has the 1987 Lincoln Continental been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1987 Lincoln Continental get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Lincoln Continental (Continental, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.