Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1997 Lincoln Continental
NHTSA data on file today
The 1997 Lincoln Continental has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 96 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #16E026000 Front Brake Pad Shims May Shift and Contact Disc NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #96V166000 FORD/AUTO TRANSMISSION NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Visibility 15 complaints
- Steering 12 complaints
- Power Train 10 complaints
- Suspension 10 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 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).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1997 Lincoln Continental has notable issues with visibility and steering, and significant powertrain concerns. Recalls affect brake performance and transmission behavior. These factors contribute to a below-average reliability rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| steering rack | 80,000–120,000 miles | $800–$1,200 | very common |
| brake pads | 30,000–60,000 miles | $150–$300 | common |
| transmission | 100,000–150,000 miles | $1,500–$3,000 | common |
| suspension | 75,000–125,000 miles | $700–$1,500 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Brake inspection annually
- Transmission fluid check every 30,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 50,000 miles
- Tire rotation every 10,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual steering noise
- Brake squeaking
- Transmission slipping
- Suspension creaking
- Electrical failures
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1997 Lincoln Continental at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.