1988 Lincoln Continental Recalls
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 1988 Lincoln Continental. A recall applies only to vehicles built within the affected range, so check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for recalls are free at a franchised dealer.
- Structure › Frame and membersCovers: Lincoln Continental 1988–1994, Mercury Sable 1986–1995, Ford Taurus 1986–1995
Reported issue: 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…
Possible consequence: If both rear corners drop, steering would become suddenly very difficult, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.
- Structure › Frame and membersCovers: Lincoln Continental 1988, Mercury Sable 1986–1988, Ford Taurus 1986–1988
Reported issue: Vehicle description: taurus and sables built from 10-14-85 through 8-19-88, and lincoln continentals built from 11-4-87 through 9-30-88 (except 1989 - 1991 2.5l taurus and 1989 - 1992 sho). The affected cars were originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island…
Possible consequence: If one of the rear corners drops, only minor indications of a malfunction such as a clunking noise or slight change in steering wheel alignment are noticeable. However, if both rear corners of the subframe drop, steering becomes very difficult, which could adversely affect vehicle control and possibly result in an…
Remedy: Install a corrosion-resistant reinforcing plate and a new bolt on both rear subframe mounts. This recall campaign has been superseded by recall 98v-323.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › RotorCovers: Lincoln Continental 1988–1991, Mercury Sable 1986–1991, Ford Taurus 1986–1991
Reported issue: Front disc brake rotors of the subject vehicles may experience severe corrosion if operated in areas where calcium chloride and sodium chloride are used extensively.
Possible consequence: Severely corroded rotors may fracture or separate nearthe inner edges of the brake discs resulting in reduced braking effectiveness,higher than normal pedal efforts, loud grinding noises, and moderate pulls whenthe brakes are applied. Reduced braking effectiveness may increase minimumstopping distances, possibly…
Remedy: Replace front brake rotors with full cast front brake rotors.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Lincoln Continental 1988
Reported issue: Process used for connecting the gas lines was substandard.
Possible consequence: A gas leak could develop creating a fire potential.
Remedy: Install standard gas line compression fittings.
- Electrical system › WiringCovers: Lincoln Continental 1988
Reported issue: Electrical circuit that controls current to brake pump motor relay, heater and air conditioning blower motor, turn signals, and a electronic message center may overheat due to inability of ignition circuit wiring connections to dissipate heat generated by electrical loads.
Possible consequence: Brake pump motor will not operate, substantially reducingbraking capability; brake warning light will come on.
Remedy: Replace ignition switch and modify switch wiring.
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhoodCovers: Lincoln Continental 1988
Reported issue: Nylon shielded wiring harness, located in the engine compartment, is susceptible to heat damage and melting of the nylon material in 100 degree plus weather.
Possible consequence: Melted nylon shield could drip onto the exhaust manifoldand result in an underhood fire.
Remedy: Wrap wiring harness with heat resistant fiberglass tape.
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shiftCovers: Lincoln Continental 1988
Reported issue: Transmission shift cables may not meet fords pull out load specifications for the swivel tube portion of the cable, which could allow the swivel tube to separate from the shift cable assembly.
Possible consequence: Operator would not be able to shift from one of thedrive gears into park position.
Remedy: Replace shift cable.
- Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil springsCovers: Lincoln Continental 1988
Reported issue: Two torsion springs attached to rear suspension control arms may fracture and rub against a rear tire.
Possible consequence: This could result in sudden loss of tire inflationpressure with potential for an accident.
Remedy: Install torsion spring seats to restrict the springs from contacting the tire if they should fracture.
- Seat beltsCovers: Lincoln Continental 1988
Reported issue: Driver and right front passenger inboard seat belts may be improperly anchored due to loose nuts that could back off.
Possible consequence: Belt anchor could disengage the stud; an unattached beltassembly would not withstand an impact load.
Remedy: Inboard seat belt anchorages will be corrected to prevent loosening.
NHTSA investigations
- EA94008Broken tie rodsClosed · Feb 16, 1994
- PE89157Ps pump pulley breaksClosed · Aug 23, 1989
- PE89026Air suspension failureClosed · Dec 20, 1988
- PE88100ABS FAILUREClosed · Sep 6, 1988
← All problems reported for the 1988 Lincoln Continental
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.