NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Lincoln Continental Recalls & Complaints

The 1996 Lincoln Continental has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 48 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Lincoln dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Lincoln Continental. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1996 Lincoln Continental owner complaints

Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Lincoln Continental, describing incidents dated January 10, 1996 to November 3, 2006.

Most-cited components

Suspension 12 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 8 complaints
Power Train 6 complaints
Steering 6 complaints
Engine 3 complaints
Electrical System 2 complaints

Of the 48 complaints on file, 3 report a crash; across all 48 complaints, owners report 1 injury and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10259427 · Filed February 20, 2009
LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT ON DRIVER'S SIDE WENT OUT. *TR
ODI #10196008 · Filed July 10, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE RESTS 12 INCHES HIGHER ON ONE SIDE THAN THE OTHER, FROM THE FRONT END TO THE REAR. AS A RESULT, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE UPWARDS TOWARDS THE SKY OR DOWNWARDS INTO THE GROUND…
ODI #10181149 · Filed January 30, 2007
DEFECTIVE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IN LINCOLN CONTINENTAL RESULTS IN EXTREMELY UNSTABLE AND UNSAFE DRIVING. BLOWN AIR BAG WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE RESULTED IN REAR END CRASHING DOWN AND LEAVING CAR INOPERABLE. FAULTY COMPRESSOR LEAVES THE CAR 12 INCHES DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEFT AND RIGHT AND FRONT AND BACK…

Read all 48 complaints

Front Brake Pad Shims May Shift and Contact Disc

NHTSA #16E026000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Disc — Pads · NHTSA notice

Reported April 1, 2016 · Robert Bosch LLC

Potentially affected: 49,635 vehicles

Repair completion: 5.88% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified May 26, 2016

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

FORD/AUTO TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL

NHTSA #96V176000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported September 18, 1996 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 340,000 vehicles

Owners notified October 9, 1996 · Vehicles built April 7, 1995 – August 16, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROTATION AND THOSE SHAFTS WITH RESTRICTED ROTATION WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHORTER SHAFT THAT WILL NOT RESTRICT ROTATION.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEING SEPTEMBER 30, 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.

FORD/LIGHTING AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS

NHTSA #96V009000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported January 23, 1996 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 40,000 vehicles

Owners notified December 29, 1995 · Vehicles built November 1, 1994 – November 1, 1995 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 TURNED ON MANUALLY BY THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

Safety consequence

IF THE HEADLAMPS SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE IMPAIRED INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE "AUTOLAMP" CONTROL MODULE. OWNERS ARE INSTRUCTED TO USE THE MANUAL HEADLAMP SWITCH UNTIL THE CONTROL MODULE CAN BE REPLACED.

Notes

SYSTEM: LIGHTING AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.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.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1996 Lincoln Continental. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

48 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Lincoln Continental.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10259427

Filed: February 20, 2009

LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT ON DRIVER'S SIDE WENT OUT. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10196008

Incident: July 1, 2002 · Filed: July 10, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE RESTS 12 INCHES HIGHER ON ONE SIDE THAN THE OTHER, FROM THE FRONT END TO THE REAR. AS A RESULT, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE UPWARDS TOWARDS THE SKY OR DOWNWARDS INTO THE GROUND. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS GONE INTO AIR SHOCK, FORCING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL AND DRIVE OFF THE ROAD. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 160,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Suspension

ODI #10181149

Incident: February 3, 2003 · Filed: January 30, 2007

DEFECTIVE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IN LINCOLN CONTINENTAL RESULTS IN EXTREMELY UNSTABLE AND UNSAFE DRIVING. BLOWN AIR BAG WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE RESULTED IN REAR END CRASHING DOWN AND LEAVING CAR INOPERABLE. FAULTY COMPRESSOR LEAVES THE CAR 12 INCHES DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEFT AND RIGHT AND FRONT AND BACK. HEAD LIGHTS SHINE INTO THE SKY AND NOW INTO THE GROUND. DRIVING VEHICLE EXTREMELY UNSAFE ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. 3 YRS OF COMPLAINING TO FORD/LINCOLN - THEY WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM! GET THESE VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD BEFORE THEY CAUSE MAJOR ROAD ACCIDENTS. MN STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL NOTIFIED - FILE # RJM/2006/322030/C. *NM

Tires

ODI #10176773

Incident: November 3, 2006 · Filed: December 21, 2006

TL* - THE CONTACT IS CALLING REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06T023000. THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE TOOK HIS TIRES TO PEP BOYS THEY REFUSE TO PROVIDE HIM WITH FREE TIRES AND TOLD HIM HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE TIRES AT A PRO-RATED RATE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT DUE TO THE RECALL HE SHOULD HAVE NOT BEEN CHARGE. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE A COPY OF THE INVOICE IF NEEDED.

Visibility

ODI #10080648

Incident: October 10, 2003 · Filed: July 9, 2004

AUTOMOBILE DIMMING REARVIEW MIRROR IS NOT CLEAR,MELTING EFFECT.*AK

Visibility

ODI #10009226

Filed: February 25, 2003

THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SIDE VIEW MIRROR CONTAINED FILM WHICH RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY.*JB

Suspension

ODI #8021485

Incident: October 15, 2002 · Filed: October 23, 2002

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE AIR SUSPENSION WENT OUT THE VEHICLE AIR SHOCKS AND THE VEHICLE IN UNABLE TO STEER. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR

Power Train

ODI #8019895

Incident: January 1, 1998 · Filed: September 30, 2002

THE GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT SHIFT. IT WILL SLIDE UP AND DOWN INTERMITTENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND WILL NOT MOVE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLM

Exterior Lighting

ODI #8018879

Incident: July 28, 2002 · Filed: September 17, 2002

HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 96V009000 DUE TO VIN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Equipment

ODI #899486

Incident: November 1, 2001 · Filed: November 27, 2001

WHEN HEADLAMPS ARE IN USE RADIO SWITCHES STATIONS WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Other Lincoln Continental model years

Check your 1996 Lincoln Continental VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lincoln Continental at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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