1988 Lincoln CONTINENTAL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
57 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 57 complaints (19.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 11 | 19.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 19.3% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 17.5% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 8.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 7.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 11 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 5 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 11; Electrical System:Ignition: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Structure:Frame And Members: 5; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 57 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 24 |
| 1996 | 15 |
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 5 |
1995: 24; 1996: 15; 2000: 10; 2001: 3; 2002: 5
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 480460 · 1995-01-06 (January 6, 1995)
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480460 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483736 · 1995-09-07 (September 7, 1995)
IGNITION SWITCH WIRING SHORTED OUT PRIOR TO RECALL, CAUSING FAILURE OF DIGITAL DASH, ANTILOCK BRAKES/A/C, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO BEING OUT OF DATE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483736 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480301 · 1995-02-07 (February 7, 1995)
WIRING HARNESS FIRE. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480301 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480805 · 1995-01-24 (January 24, 1995)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED DUE TO VEHICLE BEING IN WATER.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480805 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501022 · 1996-01-29 (January 29, 1996)
POWER STEERING FAILED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501022 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 729752 · 2000-08-31 (August 31, 2000)
THE MOUNTS BETWEEN THE BODY AND SUBFRAME BELIEVED TO BE CALLED THE BODY INSULATORS WHICH HOLD THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION IN PLACE FAILED DUE TO ERROSION. THE MOUNTING BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINIG WASHER AND THE RUBBER MOUNT ALLOWING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO FALL ONTO THE GROUND. BOTH REAR MOUNTS FAILED AND IN THE PROCESS DISCONNECTED THE STEERING LINKAGE AT THE SLIP JOINT UNDER THE DASH WHICH ALLOWS FOR THE TILT STEERING. THIS STEERING JOINT COMPLETLY SEPARATED BECAUSE OF THE DISTANCE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL FROM THE ASSEMBLY FALLING. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 729752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 564282 · 2002-02-14 (February 14, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD AN IGNITION PROBLEM THAT CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL, DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT SINCE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF IGNITION PROBLEM.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 564282 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 801273 · 1996-08-26 (August 26, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH OVERHEATS, SENDS TOO MUCH CURRENT, SUBJECT TO SHORT, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER BRAKES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801273 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8012883 · 2002-06-28 (June 28, 2002)
TRANSMISSION ONLY OPERATE IN REVERSE, ALL FORWARD GEAR SARE INOPERATIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8012883 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722902 · 2000-05-19 (May 19, 2000)
FUEL LINE FROM GAS TANK TO ENGINE IS LEAKING AT RIGHT DOOR PILLAR UNDRBODY. INSPECTION REVEALS THE GAS LINE TO BE PLASTIC OF SOME TYPE, AND THE LEAK IS AT THE JUNCTION OF WHERE 2 LENGHTS OF FUEL LINE ARE JOINED TOGETHER AT THE FACTORY. IMMINENT FIRE HAZARD. HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ON MECURY SABLES AND FORD TAURUS' SECOND PROBLEM, REAR SWAY BAR, REAR SWAY BAR IS ATTACHED TO THE BODY, BUT THE 2 SUSPENSION LINKS THAT ATTACH TO THE ENDS OF THE SWAY BAR ARE BROKEN OR RUSTED. VEHICLE HANDLES DIFFENTLY WHILE MANUEVERING, FEEL THIS TO BE MAJOR C…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722902 at NHTSA ↗