1997 Lincoln Continental Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 10%of 96 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,428miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Lincoln Continental, 10% of the 96 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,428 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 1997 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated that the transmission failed at 40,000 miles and had to be replace. Also, the contact mentioned that while driving 35 MPH the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnose that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 130,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10475076, filed 2012-09, 40,000 miles“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 2003-05Related recalls
- 96V166000Sep 5, 1996The 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…Covers: Lincoln Continental 1997, Ford Taurus 1996–1997, Mercury Sable 1996–1997 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 3% |
| 2018 | 1 | 5% |
| 2017 | 3 | 4% |
| 2002 | 2 | 6% |
| 2001 | 3 | 9% |
| 2000 | 7 | 11% |
| 1999 | 2 | 5% |
| 1998 | 7 | 10% |
| 1997 | 10 | 10% |
| 1996 | 7 | 15% |
| 1995 | 6 | 9% |
| 1994 | 20 | 11% |
| 1993 | 9 | 7% |
| 1992 | 8 | 6% |
| 1991 | 41 | 20% |
| 1990 | 12 | 8% |
| 1989 | 13 | 8% |
| 1988 | 8 | 10% |
| 1987 | 2 | 22% |
Other parts of the 1997 Lincoln Continental
15 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsTires
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology