1997 Lincoln CONTINENTAL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
67 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
59,075 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Interior is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 67 complaints (13.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 13.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 10.4% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 9.0% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.5% |
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:Interior | 9 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices | 3 |
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Interior: 9; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Tires: 4; Power Train: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices: 3
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 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 50 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 15 |
| 2001 | 14 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2000: 15; 2001: 14; 2002: 6; 2003: 12; 2004: 7; 2005: 3; 2006: 3; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2012: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Interior leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 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 10005457 · 2003-02-07 (February 7, 2003)
BRAKE FAILURE. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 40,286 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061349 · 2004-03-04 (March 4, 2004)
WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MADE A GROANING NOISE, CAUSING BRAKE PEDAL TO PUMP. ALSO, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PASS THE DESIRED STOPPING POINT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 55,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10061349 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017578 · 2003-05-07 (May 7, 2003)
THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED, THE DRIVER HAD JUST TOUCHED THE RESUME BUTTON WHEN THE MOTOR MADE A WILD REVVING AND RACING NOISE, AND WITH THAT, ALL THE GEARS WERE GONE. IT WAS AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER WHO COULDN'T SEE VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST A WEEK. CONSUMER CONSIDERED THIS TO BE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017578 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021648 · 2003-05-27 (May 27, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP. THE PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED FOR SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION THAT POPPED OUT OF GEAR AROUND 30,000 MILES. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL HAPPEN AGAIN BUT DO NOT KNOW CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE BROUGHT FROM CARMAX. *NLM....*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021648 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056056 · 2004-02-26 (February 26, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING A NOISE CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN. ALSO, VEHICLE HAD TO BE STARTED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE POWER ASSIST PUMP WOULD OPERATE. CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS UNDER TSB 6092661. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AGAIN BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK *MR
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056056 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719148 · 2000-02-23 (February 23, 2000)
TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED, FRONT END REALIGNED, STEERING MAKING NOISE AND DEALER CLAIMED THAT STEERING RACK NEEDS REPLACED TO COST $500.00, DEALER CLAIMED REPAIRS NOT SUBJECT TO WARRANTLY NOR RECALL. UPON RESEARCH, I FIND THAT LINCOLN HAS ISSUED SERVICE BULLETINS FOR BOTH DEFECTS. I PAID FOR THE WORK TO REPLACE THE TIE ROD ENDS AND HAVE NOT HAVE HAD THE STEERING WORK DONE AS I THINK IT SHOULD BE LINCOLN'S RESPONSIBILITY. THESE FAILURES WERE AT LOW MILES 51,408 AND BECAUSE OF THE SERVICE BULLETINS, LINCOLN IS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719148 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10475076 · 2012-09-11 (September 11, 2012)
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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10475076 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722238 · 2000-05-03 (May 3, 2000)
MY CAR HAS STALLED ON ME AND OTHERS AT LEAST 15 TIMES .I HAVE STALLED IN INTERSECTIONS .I HAVE NO STEERING OR BRAKES WHEN THIS HAPPENES. THE DEALER HAS HAD MANY MANY TIMES TO FIX THE CAR AND HAS NOT. WE HAVE ASKED FOR A LINCOLN REP AND HAVE BEEN REFUSED. I WAS ALMOST KILLED IN THIS CAR AND I AM GETTING NO HELP. THE DEALER WILL NOT HELP. FORD WILL NOT TALK TO US. SOMEONE NEEDS TO HELP BEFORE THERE IS A DEATH FROM THIS CAR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722238 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10110102 · 2005-02-08 (February 8, 2005)
THE INSIDE LIGHTS OF MY 1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WHICH WAS PURCHASED ON FEB. 28, 1997, STARTED COMING ON WHILE WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR AND WOULDN'T GO OUT. IT ALSO OCCURRED WHEN WE TURNED OFF THE CAR. WE WOULD TURN OFF ONE INSIDE LIGHT AND ANOTHER WOULD COME ON AND WE HAD TO PLAY AROUND WITH IT TO TRY TO GET IT OFF. THIS RESULTED IN OUR BATTERY BEING DRAINED SEVERAL TIMES. WE TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND ON 1-19-05 THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE LIGHT CONTROL MODULE, THE PART ALONE COST US $556.42 AND AN ADDITIONAL $90 TO FIND OUT THAT THE MODULE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10110102 at NHTSA ↗