1988 Lincoln Continental Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 1988 Lincoln Continental filed complaints between 1995 and 2002, most often describing ignition switch and steering-column wiring that burned or melted, subframe and body mounts that rusted or failed, and brake pedals that sank or brakes that did not respond. Dashboard displays, turn signals, and other electrical circuits also failed according to some complaints, and a few describe stalling or failing to restart. Mileage is not recorded in these complaints, so the sample does not show how problems change with wear.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch and wiring burning or melting

   • 17 complaints (20%)
   • typically at 8.5 yrs old
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2002

   Owners describe the ignition switch and nearby wiring in the steering column or engine bay overheating, burning, or melting. Some report burning smells or smoke, and several say the engine stalled or would not restart until the dealer replaced the switch, the wiring, or the ignition module. A complaint says the owner requested reimbursement, noting the manufacturer was aware of the ignition problem. Mileage is not recorded in these complaints, which were filed between 1995 and 2002; some describe burning smells or smoke while driving or right after turning off the ignition.

   Recall 88V118000Recall 88V114000

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch and steering column wiring have been replaced and whether any recall repair was completed. Look at the switch area, the column wiring, and the engine-bay wiring harness for brittle, discolored, or melted insulation.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #875392, filed 2000-11

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #564282, filed 2002-02
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Subframe and body mounts rusting or breaking

   • 10 complaints (12%)
   • typically at 10.7 yrs old
   • filed 1995–2000

   Owners describe rust or corrosion at the body mounts, retaining plates, and subframe mounts, leading to the subframe or the engine and transmission mounts separating or dropping. Some complaints say this resulted in loss of steering control, and one describes the steering linkage separating when the mounts failed. According to the complaints, some owners were told their vehicle was not covered by the recall, and in one case the dealer refused a repair because the car was out of warranty. In another case, the subframe broke again after a recall repair by the dealer. Mileage is not recorded in these complaints, which were filed between 1997 and 2000.

   Recall 98V323000Recall 93V106000

   What to check: Check the vehicle's VIN against recall records for the subframe and body-mount campaigns, and ask for records of any completed repair. Inspect the subframe mounts, body mounts, and retaining plates for rust, cracks, or loose bolts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 to drop. Dealer refused to correct recall failure because vehicle out of warranty.”

   NHTSA complaint #828884, filed 1998-10

   “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 further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #860542, filed 2000-04
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pedal sinking or brakes failing

   • 12 complaints (14%)
   • typically at 8.5 yrs old
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2000

   Owners describe the brake pedal traveling to the floor, longer stopping distances, or brakes not responding at all, sometimes with no warning. A complaint describes the brake warning light on with no brake pressure, and another describes a rear brake that stayed engaged, overheated, and led to a fire on one occasion. According to the complaints, the dealer inspected and repaired one vehicle but the problem continued, and in another case the dealer could not correct the problem after repeated tow-ins. Mileage is not recorded in these complaints, which were filed between 1995 and 2002; some describe the pedal failing during ordinary stops.

   What to check: Check brake pedal firmness and stopping at low speed in an empty parking lot, and confirm the brake warning light stays off. Ask for records of brake inspections and repairs, and check the brake fluid level and rear brake condition.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #851910, filed 1999-11

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #721007, filed 2000-04
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Dashboard displays and electrical circuits failing

   • 8 complaints (10%)
   • typically at 9.8 yrs old
   • filed 1995–2002

   Owners describe digital dashboard indicators that are hard to read in daylight, and an instrument panel light that stays off until a switch is pressed. Other complaints describe turn signals, climate controls, and the brake warning light stopping work, along with an electrical system that cuts out. An owner reports repeatedly buying batteries, and the dealer reportedly knew of the display problem. Some owners say recall repairs were refused, either because their vehicle was not covered or because the recall was out of date. Mileage is not recorded in these complaints, which were filed between 1995 and 2002; some describe the problems in daylight or while driving.

   Recall 88V118000

   What to check: Turn the ignition on and check each dashboard light, the display, the turn signals, and the climate fan and controls. Ask whether the ignition-circuit wiring work under recall 88V118000 was completed, since that recall text covers the turn signals, the message center, and the heater and blower circuit.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #831339, filed 1998-11

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #483736, filed 1995-09

Buying note. Anyone considering this model year may want to review recall and repair records for the subframe and body mounts, the ignition switch and wiring, and the brakes before deciding. Records showing that the ignition and brake work was completed can help a buyer judge the vehicle's history.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 34 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.