1996 Lincoln Continental Problems
- Complaints
- 48filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 96,683miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl FWD · 15 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Lincoln Continental (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 1996 Lincoln Continental. The part named most often is suspension, with 13 complaints (27% of the total), followed by visibility (8) and transmission and drivetrain (7). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 96,683 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 an injury, 2 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Suspension13 27%
- Steering6 13%
- Engine cooling4 8.3%
- Brakes3 6.3%
- Electrical system3 6.3%
- Body and structure3 6.3%
- Vehicle speed control3 6.3%
- Equipment2 4.2%
Also reported: Exterior lighting (2), Other or unknown (2), Seats (2), Air bags (1), Interior lighting (1), Seat belts (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Suspension: “Have also had to replace the entire suspension system of this vehicle. However, that was replaced under warranty. It has also been suggested to me that the engine of this vehicle has a history of seal/gasket failures. We very much like this vehicle and are considering whether to trade this vehicle or purchase a new vehicle. We are looking for some expert history info on which to base our decisions.”
NHTSA complaint #723577, filed 2000-06Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “I have contacted Lincoln about the paint and mirrors and they will not do anything about it. The mirror is on the driver's side is discolored and distored. I have to take the car to an autobody shop per dealer and was told that it was a defected paint job from the Lincoln. They will not do anything about it. Dt”
NHTSA complaint #770425, filed 2002-12Transmission and drivetrain: “Vehicle was parked and suddenly jumped out of park and rolled foward into another vehicle. Consumer was not in vehicle. Dealer has been contacted, said that there are no open recalls standing, repairs have to be made at owner's expense. Minor damage to other vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #833825, filed 1999-02Steering: “Vehicle leaned to the left due to the air spring system failing. Owner had just had rack and pinion replaced. Dealer has replaced the air spring system, but problem still exists in suspension.”
NHTSA complaint #854878, filed 2000-01Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 74,000 and 100,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1996 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 FWD | 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
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
- 96V176000Sep 18, 1996Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Lincoln Continental 1996, Ford Taurus 1996, Mercury Sable 1996
The automatic transmission park pawl shaft may not be free to rotate as intended. If the park pawl shaft does not rotate, it would prevent the park pawl from engaging the park gear when the shift lever is in the park position.
- 96V009000Jan 23, 1996Exterior lightingCovers: Lincoln Continental 1995–1996
A defective control module in the "autolamp" system can malfunction. If the "autolamp" system is being used to activate the exterior light (including headlamps), the headlamps could shut off without warning. This will not occur if the exterior lighting is…
Recall details for the 1996 Lincoln Continental → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10013060Oct 14, 2002Equipment. Climate control a/c service tech tips.
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 1996 Lincoln Continental have?
NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 1996 Lincoln Continental as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Lincoln Continental is reported most often?
Suspension is named most often, in 13 complaints (27% of the total), followed by visibility with 8.
Has the 1996 Lincoln Continental been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Lincoln Continental get?
The EPA rates the 1996 Lincoln Continental (Continental, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Lincoln Continental reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 96,683 miles and the middle half falls between 74,000 and 100,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.