1984 Lincoln Continental recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE D-SHAPED RING FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ARE INADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE MATERIAL IN WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED. THE ATTACHMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".
What could happen:
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ATTACHING HARDWARE TO IMPROVE THE STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1984 CONTINENTAL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Lincoln dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 83V134000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Summary: THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE D-SHAPED RING FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ARE INADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE MATERIAL IN WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED. THE ATTACHMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ATTACHING HARDWARE TO IMPROVE THE STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND LIGHT TRUCKS.SYSTEM: INTERIOR SYSTEMS; SEAT BELTS AND UPPER TORSO RESTRAINT ATTACHMENTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IN SEVERE COLLISIONS, THE SHOULDER BELT ATTACHMENTCOULD SEPARATE, INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF OCCUPANT INJURY.NOTE: MANUFACTURER ADVISES THAT SEAT BELTS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE USED AT ALLTIMES, AS SUBSTANTIAL BENEFITS MAY STILL BE OBTAINED.
2. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. IF THE SELECTOR IS GENTLY OR SLOWLY MOVED TOWARDS PARK, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT CHANGE TO PARKING GEAR. SIMILARLY, SLOW MOVEMENT OF THE SELECTOR FROM REVERSE TO NEUTRAL MAY NOT REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION FROM REVERSE GEAR.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL REPLACE RUBBER-ISOLATED SHIFT ROD WITH A CONVENTIONAL ONE-PIECE ROD AND WILL READJUST THE SHIFT LINKAGE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1984 CONTINENTAL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Lincoln dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 84V072000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
Summary: IF THE SELECTOR IS GENTLY OR SLOWLY MOVED TOWARDS PARK, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT CHANGE TO PARKING GEAR. SIMILARLY, SLOW MOVEMENT OF THE SELECTOR FROM REVERSE TO NEUTRAL MAY NOT REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION FROM REVERSE GEAR.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE RUBBER-ISOLATED SHIFT ROD WITH A CONVENTIONAL ONE-PIECE ROD AND WILL READJUST THE SHIFT LINKAGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4 LITER DIESEL ENGINEAND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFTERS.SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN TRANSMISSION; GEAR SELECTOR LEVER.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: A PARKED CAR NOT IN THE PARK MODE MAY ROLL BACKWARD ORFORWARD IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT SET. ALSO WHEN MOVING FROM REVERSE TONEUTRAL, VEHICLE MAY STILL MOVE IN REVERSE BECAUSE THE GEAR CHANGE DID NOTOCCUR IN THE TRANSMISSION. UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT MAY RESULT IN ANACCIDENT AND PERSONAL INJURY.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1984 Lincoln Continental owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (3), Suspension (3), Electrical system (2), Vehicle Speed Control (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
01/04/1999 · Engine · fire
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITHT ENGINE. WHEN TURNING VEHICLE OFF, NOTICED THAT IT WOULDN'T RESTART. WHEN CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK
09/06/1996 · Vehicle Speed Control
CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FAILED 3 TIMES.
08/27/1996 · Suspension
BOTH AIR SUSPENSION BAGS FAILED.
05/21/1996 · Electrical system · fire
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DSH
12/06/1995 · Suspension
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE FRONT AND THE REAR ON THE VEHICLE DROP TO THE GROUND CAN NOT SEE THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. TT
12/06/1995 · Suspension
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE FRONT AND THE REAR ON THE VEHICLE DROP TO THE GROUND CAN NOT SEE THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. TT
05/02/1995 · Electrical system
VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ALTERNATOR/VOLTAGE REGULATOR. TT
05/02/1995 · Engine
WATER PUMP REPLACED. *AK