1997 Lincoln Continental Problems
- Complaints
- 96filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 59,075miles, 17 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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 1997 Lincoln Continental (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often write about a self-dimming rearview mirror that clouds over or leaks fluid, and about steering noises and loss of power assist. Transmission failures, front tire wear and anti-lock brake complaints also appear repeatedly, with many reports filed between roughly 40,000 and 100,000 miles.
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
Rearview mirror clouds, leaks or stops dimming
- 12 complaints (13%)
- median 42,800 mi at 4.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
- filed 1998–2006
Complaints describe the inside self-dimming mirror becoming cloudy or distorted so the driver cannot see through it, sometimes with fluid leaking from the housing onto the dash. Several owners report the mirror was replaced and failed again within a year or so, and that the dealer either could not explain the cause or declined to replace it once out of warranty. A few describe the mirror shorting out or spattering liquid on interior surfaces. Reported from about 27,000 to 100,000 miles, with repeat failures often following a replacement by about a year.
What to check: Look at the rearview mirror on a sunny day for clouding, dark spots or dried fluid around the housing, and ask whether it has been replaced and under what warranty.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The rear view mirror became clouded, which caused poor visibility. The dealership indicated the problem may be caused by the fluid in the mirror which was suppose to block glare.”
NHTSA complaint #10014722, filed 2003-03, 100,000 miles“The 1997 Lincoln Continental's review mirror has been replaced three times now. It is july, 2003, and the $400.00 mirror needs to be replaced again. It's fogging up, looks like condenstation behind the glass on the mirror. Cannot see out of the mirror. Third time. This is unreasonable.”
NHTSA complaint #10026014, filed 2003-07 - Steering
Steering noise, tie rod wear and loss of power assist
- 8 complaints (8%)
- median 56,537 mi at 7.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
- filed 1997–2004
Owners describe a groaning or grinding noise when turning, often traced by dealers to worn or seized outer tie rods and, in some cases, a cracked steering rack. Others report that power steering assist drops out intermittently, sometimes only in reverse, and returns after shutting off and restarting the engine. Complaints say dealers were sometimes unable to reproduce or identify the cause, and that repairs were refused once warranty coverage ended. Mostly reported between roughly 50,000 and 60,000 miles, though some complaints give no mileage.
What to check: Turn the wheel while listening for groans or grinding, check tie rod ends and boots for play or seized joints, and ask for any steering repair records.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Tie rod ends replaced, front end realigned, steering making noise and dealer claimed that steering rack needs replaced to cost $500.00, dealer claimed repairs not subject to warrantly nor recall. Upon research, I find that Lincoln has issued service bulletins for both defects. I paid for the work to replace the tie rod ends and have not have had the steering work done as I think it should be Lincoln's responsibility. These failures were at low miles 51,408 and because of the service bulletins, Lincoln is aware of these problems.”
NHTSA complaint #719148, filed 2000-02“While in reverse only power steering assist sometimes is lost. If I stop, turn off the ignition, restart and go forward the problem goes away. The dealer has tried several times to fix the problem to no avail.”
NHTSA complaint #741833, filed 2001-03 - Suspension
Front tire wear and tire tread problems
- 11 complaints (11%)
- median 103,000 mi at 10.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1998–2007
Owners report front tires wearing quickly on the inner edge, in some cases to the point of losing air, and describe replacing tires repeatedly at low mileage. Complaints also mention bounce and wobble at highway speeds and tread separation on tires with relatively low mileage. Dealers generally attributed the wear to driving habits or told owners the tires still had usable tread. Reported from low mileage up to around 66,000 miles, often noticed as uneven front tire wear.
What to check: Inspect the inner edges of both front tires for uneven wear and check the tire build dates; ask whether an alignment or front-end work has been done.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I am on my 5th set of tires in 58000 miles. Dealer refuses to do anything and will not have factory rep. See car even though I have requested same. Ford has not done anything even after several calls and letters. Last tire failure resulted in car leaving road and going into ditch. My pregnant daughter was with me and was very shaken. Reason given by ford for premature tire wear is that I am an aggressive driver. I am a 55yr. Old businessman not a drag racing kid. …”
NHTSA complaint #713616, filed 1999-10“We had a very unusual tire wear pattern that resulted in two new tire replacements. After making several inquiries at the dealership and at ford motor company,I became very suspicious that the tire wear was due to a design problem that is characteristic of lincolns with this front end design. I submitted a customer review request to ford via the dealership, and was told that there are no progams or recalls for this concern. I no longer own the vehicle, but am concerned that this is a very dangerous condition which should be investigated. …”
NHTSA complaint #704787, filed 1999-03 - Transmission and drivetrain
Transmission fails or slips out of gear
- 7 complaints (7%)
- median 89,428 mi at 11.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
- filed 2001–2012
Complaints describe the transmission losing all gears without warning, slipping out of gear while cruising, or failing outright, in some cases more than once on the same vehicle. Dealers reportedly replaced the transmission, and one owner was told an internal metal break had occurred. A few owners note the failure happened around 30,000 to 55,000 miles per unit. Reported from about 30,000 to 105,000 miles, often with little warning beforehand.
Recall 96V1660002 related service bulletins
What to check: Test drive at steady highway speed and listen for slipping or delayed engagement, check the fluid level and color, and ask whether the transmission or PCM has been serviced or replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The cruise control was engaged, the driver had just touched the resume button when the motor made a wild revving and racing noise, and with that, all the gears were gone. It was as if the vehicle was in neutral. The vehicle was towed to the nearest ford dealer who couldn't see vehicle for at least a week. Consumer considered this to be a transmission failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10017578, filed 2003-05“While driving 55 MPH the transmission suddenly slipped out of gear and the vehicle coasted to a stop. The previous transmission was replaced for same problem. This is the second transmission that popped out of gear around 30,000 miles. The mechanic indicated that this problem will happen again but do not know cause of the problem. Vehicle brought from carmax. ....”
NHTSA complaint #10021648, filed 2003-05
Buying note. Check the rearview mirror, steering and front tire wear carefully on a test drive, and ask for transmission and brake service records; parts for some systems, including anti-lock brake components, may be available only used.
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.
NHTSA recorded 96 consumer complaints for the 1997 Lincoln Continental. 17 of the complaints include a mileage, and 24% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 59,075 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 3 technical service bulletins 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.
- Steering12 13%
- Brakes10 10%
- Suspension10 10%
- Tires9 9.4%
- Vehicle speed control8 8.3%
- Electrical system7 7.3%
- Engine cooling6 6.3%
- Air bags4 4.2%
Also reported: Fuel system (3), Equipment (2), Other or unknown (2), Electronic stability control (1), Engine (1), Exterior lighting (1), Interior lighting (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Dt: the windows in the vehicle will not roll down. This has happened numerous times. The vehicle is at dealer now, and they can't get windows down.. Dealer said it needed a rotor cup. This happens every week with the windows not working properly.”
NHTSA complaint #10126802, filed 2005-06, 53,000 milesSteering: “Anti theft alarm would activate on its own - while parked in garage at shopping centers, in the driveway. This was reported to dealer in june 2000 and was told if we can not duplicate the problem we can not do anything about it. During 2001 and 2002 the problem worsened often going off 5 to 6 times per day. Hatfield is no longer in business so car was taken to krieger ford on sawmill blvd. In columbus, ohio. They had the car for 4 days and the alarm did not activate so can't duplicate so can't do anything about it. We picked the car up and 4 times that day the alarm activated on its own. …”
NHTSA complaint #765125, filed 2002-08Brakes: “- thee contact has a 1997 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated that he was having problems with both traction control, and the anti lock brakes. He has had 3 failures of the traction control and the antilock braking system. The manufacturer no longer makes the replacement parts, and one can only get used replacement parts. The current and failure mileage were 70,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10185734, filed 2007-03, 70,000 milesSuspension: “The contact owns a 1997 Lincoln Continental. The contact noticed the driver side front tire was flat. The vehicle was towed and the mechanic diagnosed the failure as the front coil springs and struts having failed. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 103,388. The vehicle has been repaired. The contact has the repair invoices.”
NHTSA complaint #10188353, filed 2007-04, 103,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
24% of the 17 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 53,000 and 91,000 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 1997 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
- 96V166000Sep 5, 1996Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)Covers: Lincoln Continental 1997, Ford Taurus 1996–1997, Mercury Sable 1996–1997 +1 more
The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge which can cause the parking pawl to hang up and not engage the park gear. This would allow the vehicle to move even though the gear shift indicator shows that the vehicle is in park.
Recall details for the 1997 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. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004Transmission and drivetrain. General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004Transmission and drivetrain. General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
- 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
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Lincoln Continental?
Owners of this model year most often write about a self-dimming rearview mirror that clouds over or leaks fluid, and about steering noises and loss of power assist. The issues reported most often: Rearview mirror clouds, leaks or stops dimming; Steering noise, tie rod wear and loss of power assist; Front tire wear and tire tread problems.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Lincoln Continental have?
NHTSA recorded 96 consumer complaints for the 1997 Lincoln Continental as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Lincoln Continental is reported most often?
Visibility is named most often, in 15 complaints (16% of the total), followed by steering with 12.
Has the 1997 Lincoln Continental been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Lincoln Continental get?
The EPA rates the 1997 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 1997 Lincoln Continental reported?
Among the 17 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 59,075 miles and the middle half falls between 53,000 and 91,000 miles; 24% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.