NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Lincoln Continental Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 Lincoln Continental has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 96 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 1997 Lincoln Continental. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

1997 Lincoln Continental owner complaints

Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Lincoln Continental, describing incidents dated May 1, 1997 to January 17, 2019.

Most-cited components

  • Visibility/Wiper 15 complaints
  • Steering 12 complaints
  • Power Train 10 complaints
  • Suspension 10 complaints
  • Service Brakes 9 complaints
  • Tires 9 complaints

Of the 96 complaints on file, 5 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 96 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11171070 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11138759 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #10475076 · Filed

    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…

Read all 96 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

NHTSA #96V166000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) · NHTSA notice

Reported September 5, 1996 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 40,000 vehicles

Owners notified September 23, 1996 · Vehicles built August 1, 1996 – August 28, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Manufacturer 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.

Other Lincoln Continental model years

Check your 1997 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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