1993 Lincoln Continental Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report engine cooling problems, and the recurring theme is a blown head gasket on the 3.8L V6, typically described as overheating with white smoke from the tailpipe, coolant loss and loss of cabin heat. Many complaints note failures at low mileage and ask why a similar program for later model years did not cover this one. Headlights that go out intermittently while driving, and front-end and steering wear items, are the next most common reports.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Blown head gasket (3.8L V6)

   • 52 complaints (43%)
   • median 69,000 mi at 10.6 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,602 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 1997–2004

   Complaints describe the engine overheating, white smoke from the tailpipe, coolant loss, a check engine light and no heat from the vents. Many owners say they were told the head gasket had failed and that repairs were expensive, sometimes with an engine replacement added. Several complaints say the dealer or manufacturer declined assistance because the vehicle was out of warranty or not covered by a related program, and some report repeat failures after a repair. Often reported between roughly 28,000 and 80,000 miles, with some owners describing a second failure at around 70,000 miles.

   Recall 97V019000

   What to check: Ask for records of any head gasket or engine work and check the coolant level and condition, looking for residue near the gasket area. During a test drive, watch the temperature gauge and confirm the heater blows hot air.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We have had so many problems where would you start. The rear air bags exploded shortly after we bought it. We have had electrical problems, coolent leaks, and belt problems. One trip to oklahoma cost a transmission, and the next trip, the head gaskets on the engine.”

   NHTSA complaint #10070108, filed 2004-01, 50,000 miles

   “Please refer to odi#722537 which I filed last week regarding bad head gasket. Dealership advised me this week that engine has failed as a result. Ford co has declined any assistance in this regard! New engine will cost me over $4000.00! As previously reported this was no negligence on my part but a continued problem with engine design.”

   NHTSA complaint #722869, filed 2000-05
2. 2
   Steering

   Steering and front-end noises, power steering leaks

   • 13 complaints (11%)
   • median 100,500 mi at 10.6 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2004

   Owners report noise while turning the wheel, replaced tie rod ends, and power steering leaks or failure; a few describe fluid-related fires originating in the engine bay. Complaints also mention broken engine mounts, which owners link to the front-end symptoms. Reported from around 28,000 miles upward, commonly in the 50,000 to 75,000 mile range.

   What to check: Check the power steering fluid level and look for wetness around the rack and hoses. Turn the wheel lock to lock with the engine running and listen for noise or binding.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Repairs past 8 months: head gasket, rear brakes, power steering system, rear air bags, speed sensor (3x), to name a few. Pending repairs: electrical system (dash), rear door actuator, chipping bumper paint, transmission sluggish.”

   NHTSA complaint #717645, filed 2000-01

   “Engine mounts broke, causing engine to rise and become unsecure. The engine mount breaking also caused rear brake and rotor failures. The front tires was damage.”

   NHTSA complaint #870859, filed 2000-09
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights cut out intermittently

   • 12 complaints (10%)
   • median 83,350 mi at 12.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2004

   Owners describe headlights that go dark for brief intervals while driving and sometimes need the switch jiggled or the lights cycled to come back on, with high and low beam issues also mentioned. Several complaints reference a lighting circuit breaker recall and say the dealer either did not have parts, or that the repair did not resolve the problem, especially in cold weather. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 75,000 miles upward, with several owners noting it happens more in cold weather.

   Recall 98V009000

   What to check: Ask whether the headlight switch circuit breaker recall work was completed. At night on a test drive, watch for flickering or dropouts and try the high beams.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The headlights go off for no apparent reason. The headlights do not come back on until consumer jiggles the headlight switch. The dealer was called about the problem. The problem has not been corrected. Owner was told by manufacturer that VIN # was not included in recall # 98v09000 ford/headlight circuit breaker.also high/low beam not working properly, and occasional problem with signal lights.”

   NHTSA complaint #852556, filed 1999-11

   “Consumer complained of dealer not honoring manufacturer's recall notice # 98-s-98, headlights, sent on may 8,1998. Dealer been informing consumer of not having the parts. Consumer would like to know how much longer must he wait until something could be done.”

   NHTSA complaint #827947, filed 1998-09
4. 4
   Suspension

   Suspension and air-ride noise or sagging

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a constant thumping from the front and rear suspension over bumps, and the rear air suspension settling to its lowest point after the car sits, then taking several minutes to reinflate. Some owners say the dealer found nothing wrong, while others report replaced struts or air springs. Mostly reported on vehicles with six-figure or high-mileage odometers, often after the car has been parked for an hour or more.

   What to check: Let the car sit an hour before inspecting it, then see whether the rear sits level and how long the pump runs on startup. Bounce each corner and listen for thumps over bumps.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine (3.8l v6) blew head gasket first time at ~60,000 miles. Dealer repaired. Thirteen months later, ~72,000 miles, head gasket blew again. Different dealer repaired, (another $1,600 with no help from manufacturer or previous repairing dealer). Now with ~126,000 miles on vehicle, head gasket may have blown again. All three motor mounts and harmonic stabilizer were replaced (all mounts were leaking or cracked).”

   NHTSA complaint #10070249, filed 2004-01, 126,000 miles

   “Head gaske blew at 79,990 MPH. Recall is on 1994 models with the same problem. Because of same engine and same component, consumer states, recall should be established. Dealer contacted and verified the part. Problem was remedied by dealer at owner's expense. Also two rear struts were replaced due to leakage.”

   NHTSA complaint #832865, filed 1998-12

Buying note. The head gasket is the item to take most seriously on this model year: get written evidence of any cooling-system repairs and budget for inspection before purchase. Also verify whether the headlight and speed-control recalls were completed, and check the air suspension and transmission for leaks and noises on a test drive.

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.