1997 Lincoln Continental recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.
What could happen: A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.
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 1997 CONTINENTAL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Lincoln dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16E026000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-715-3616.
- 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: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
Summary: Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.
Consequence: A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. 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.
What could happen: UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
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 1997 CONTINENTAL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Lincoln dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V166000.
- 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: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
Summary: 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.
Consequence: UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 23, 1996.
NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1997 Lincoln Continental owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Visibility (wipers / glass) (16), Steering (12), Transmission / drivetrain (10), Suspension (10), Brakes (10).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
01/20/2019 · Unknown Or Other · fire
SHORTLY AFTER START, 200M, ENGINE STILL COLD , I SMELL SMOKE,,STOPTED IMMEDIATLY PASSING BRIDGE, SMOKE STILL, MORE INTENSIVE. I TALK TO DRIVERS AROUND TO CALL FIRE DEPARTEMENT. TOOK ONLY BLOUSE CLOSE TO ME AND LEAVE THE CAR. MOKE AND FIRST FIRE STARTED RIGHT FROM FEED SPACE. NO FIRE IN ENGINE AREA. .
10/06/2018 · Airbags · crash
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS DRIVING 35MPH GOING DOWN MAIN ROAD IN AN OFFICE PARK. OTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY AND CAME THRU STOP SIGN. I HAD ALMOST ZERO TIME TO REACT. I SLAMMED ON BRAKES TRYING TO PREPARE FOR IMPACT. WE HIT. MY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BUMPER HIT HIS PASSENGER SIDE FRONT. HIS AIRBAG DEPLOYED, MINE DID NOT. POLICE, FIREFIGHTERS, AND AMBU…
09/11/2012 · Transmission / drivetrain
TL* 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 O…
02/17/2012 · Transmission / drivetrain
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY, WHILE STILL IN PARK. THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PRESSURE REGULATOR SOLENOID AND THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH WERE DEFECTIVE. AS A RESULT, THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT…
03/06/2008 · Vehicle Speed Control · fire
MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND HAD TO BE JUNKED. *TR
04/19/2007 · Suspension
TL*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.
03/21/2007 · Electronic Stability Control
TL*- 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 FAILUR…
08/16/2006 · Wheels / tires
1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL, RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD BEGAN TO SEPARATE, THE OTHER THREE TIRES WERE ALMOST SEPARATING AT THE TREAD WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES ON THEM. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR COST OF NEW TIRES. *KB AT TIME OF PURCHASE THE CONSUMER NOTICED A BOUNCE AND WOBBLE IN THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 30-58 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO…