1996 Lincoln CONTINENTAL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
96,683 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 28 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 10.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices | 4 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 2 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior | 2 |
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices: 4; Suspension: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 2; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior: 2
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 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 25 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1996: 1; 2000: 4; 2001: 11; 2002: 6; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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 800896 · 1996-08-16 (August 16, 1996)
WHEN STOPPED WITH TRANSMISSION IN PARK, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, VEHICLE WILL MOVE BY ITSELF AND WITH ENGINE NOT RUNNING. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 800896 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 893538 · 2001-08-06 (August 6, 2001)
BRAKES PULSATE AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY FADE OUT AND COME BACK IN. CONSUMER HIT BRAKES, AND THEY FADED. ABS LIGHT CAME ON AFTER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE SAME DEALER 4 TIMES. DEALER HAS CHECKED THE CODES, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 893538 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 567527 · 2002-09-18 (September 18, 2002)
CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION AT 30-40 MPH. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 567527 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 890790 · 2001-06-20 (June 20, 2001)
POWER WINDOWS/ REAR DEFROSTER AND HORN WERN'T WORKING CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MLP SENSOR WAS REPLACED, HELPED WINDOWS TO GO UP AND DOWN CORRECTLY. HORN STILL DOESN'T WORK. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED MANY SENSORS,TYRING TO FIND A REMEDY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 890790 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 558855 · 2001-01-03 (January 3, 2001)
POWER STEERING GEAR FAILED. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 558855 at NHTSA ↗