1992 Lincoln Continental Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe engine cooling problems, especially head gasket leaks on the 3.8L V6 that show up as overheating, coolant loss, steam and rough running. The air ride suspension is the second recurring theme, with owners reporting sagging or dropped corners and stiff steering, and many of these cars are now well past 100,000 miles, so repair history matters more than mileage alone.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Head gasket leak and overheating (3.8L V6)

   • 24 complaints (19%)
   • median 61,774 mi at 11.4 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2004

   Complaints describe coolant leaking from the head gaskets, the engine running hot, steam or smoke from under the hood, rough idle and a low coolant level with little or no heat. Several owners say both head gaskets were replaced at their own expense, often with estimates around $1,500, and some report the gaskets leaking again after earlier repairs. A few mention that later model years of the same engine were covered by the manufacturer while this year was not. Reported from roughly 60,000 miles upward, with several examples in the 60,000-75,000 mile range and others past 140,000 miles.

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue or staining around the head gasket seams, and ask for receipts showing whether the head gaskets have already been replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle broke down while headed south i95 on 12/26/02 in peterburg,virginia. Forced to rent a car while being repaired. Replaced head gaskets and ego sensor and peripheral work needed. Cost: $1,215.89 plus rental (stranded in va) $264.60. Total of $1,480.49. This is not a maintenance item, but a flaw in vehicle which ford-Lincoln has acknowledged via a technical service bulletin. I believe later models 1994? Were covered by ford for repair expense. Also my mileage is a 1000 over that for repair reimbursement. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10069997, filed 2004-01, 61,774 miles

   “I have heard of a recall on the 90-91, and 94 models, but not on the 92. Also, our 92 was built in 11/91; would that recall be for model year 91, or all vehicles built in 91? I have seen numerous amounts of complaints on this engine and its head gasket plague. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!. No safety defect discussed in summary.”

   NHTSA complaint #725493, filed 2000-07
2. 2
   Suspension

   Air ride suspension sags or drops

   • 14 complaints (11%)
   • typically at 8.4 yrs old
   • filed 1997–2002

   Owners describe the air suspension deflating so the car sits low at one or both ends, sometimes overnight and sometimes while driving, which makes steering heavy and the ride rough. Complaints mention failed air struts and shocks, a constantly running air pump, vibration at speed and, in a few cases, a broken strut or mount. Dealers generally replaced air struts and related parts, and some owners note the system is no longer used on later models. Complaints span the sample broadly, with several coming in above 100,000 miles and one at about 130,000.

   What to check: Park the car and watch whether it stays level over several hours, listen for the air pump cycling repeatedly, and ask whether the air struts or a coil-spring conversion have been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Here is the list of problems I've had with this car. 1.purchased from bob mullen auto batavia ny milage: 58702 ,june 3rd 1999 2.returned car 10 days later , AC didn't work, dealer repired at his cost of $500. 3.jan 2000 repair exhaust system. My share of bill $514.00 4. 4/28/2000 monroe muffler, work on front end air suspension, $370 5. 7/28/2000 electric door locks failed, cost $152 for new switches 6. 9/15/2000 took car back to dealer ABS wasn't working estimate to repair..$826, had dealer disarm ABS 7. Dgl engine light stays on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10069694, filed 2004-01

   “The air ride suspension will deflate causing lack of control at all speeds. Both the front and rear of vehicle almost sit on top of the tires making steering dificult. This problem is covered in the owners manual so its somthing ford knows they need to fix. Please help get this fixed on a recall its not the first Lincoln I have had that has done this.”

   NHTSA complaint #700226, filed 1998-10
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Cruise control will not disengage or speed rises

   • 21 complaints (17%)
   • median 140,000 mi at 17.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2009

   Owners report that pressing the brake does not always cancel cruise control, and some describe the car speeding up instead of slowing, requiring repeated brake presses or shutting the system off manually. A few complaints describe unintended acceleration without cruise engaged, and some were filed after the speed control recall work was performed. Reported across a wide mileage range, including examples around 140,000 miles.

   Recall 97V025000

   What to check: Confirm the speed control recall was completed, and test that the brake pedal reliably cancels cruise control at low speed before relying on the system.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There are times when I am using my cruise control and step on the brake to disengage it that the car actually speeds up. I have to step on the brake several times to get it to disengage. It is quite scary.”

   NHTSA complaint #10275688, filed 2009-07, 140,000 miles

   “Received recall notice (#97v025000). Called dealer who took name & phone no. For appointment. Dealer didn't call back; called back after few days & informed did not have kits & it was not their fault that they didn't, was manufacturer.”

   NHTSA complaint #814254, filed 1997-07
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Subframe or motor mount cracks

   • 8 complaints (6%)
   • median 130,000 mi at 23.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2015

   Complaints describe the rear lower subframe mount or motor mounts cracking and separating, which owners link to steering trouble, power steering fluid leaks and, in one case, the rear subframe fracturing during a turn so steering seized. Some owners say the repair was handled under a recall, while others report their car was outside the covered states or that parts were unavailable and they were asked to share the cost. Mostly reported on cars with substantial mileage, including one at about 130,000 miles.

   Recall 98V323000

   What to check: Ask whether the subframe mount recall work was completed and whether the car was originally sold or registered in one of the covered states; have a shop inspect the subframe and mounts for cracks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Subframe mounts/motor mounts broke/repaired prior to recall notification. Consumer states after repair he experienced steering problems(power steering fluid leakage, contaminated cooler pump), believes problems to be due to subframe mount breakage(states on recall notice steering problems may result if motor mounts break)(98v-323).”

   NHTSA complaint #544589, filed 1999-03

   “Recall 98v323000: had received notice. Contacted dealer. Set appointment. Took vehicle to dealer. After arriving, was informed no parts available for subframe. The subframe on vehicle had already split & service manager informed owner would have to pay half the cost for repairs.”

   NHTSA complaint #837817, filed 1999-05
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake pedal slow to return or brakes drag

   • 12 complaints (10%)
   • typically at 5.5 yrs old
   • filed 1995–2003

   Complaints describe the brake pedal returning slowly or not returning at all, a locked front caliper, brake fluid leaks and brakes that work only intermittently. Owners report that a service bulletin covering a slow-returning ABS pedal and a replacement brake booster exists for this symptom, and that dealers did not always treat the condition as a safety concern. Reported across the sample without a clear mileage pattern; most complaints do not state mileage.

   What to check: Test the pedal for a slow return with the engine running and look for fluid leaks at the calipers and booster; ask whether the booster has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brake pedal returns slowly, sometimes does not return at all. Dealer has TSB published about problem - 92-19-2 ABS pedal returns slow: new brake booster. Replacement of brake booster is necessary, however, dealer does not feel this is a safety issue - the brake pedal does not always return ! This means the brakes do not alway disengage!”

   NHTSA complaint #748358, filed 2001-07

   “Brakes work intermittently. Dealer couldn't seem to find a problem. Consumer took it to a mechanic & they test drove it & found a problem, but not sure what it was. They're still inspecting the vehicles problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #865010, filed 2000-07

Buying note. On a car this old, condition and records matter more than mileage: confirm the head gasket history, check that the air suspension still holds height, and verify the subframe mount and speed control recall work was done. A pre-purchase inspection by a shop familiar with these cars is worth the cost.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.