1998 Lincoln CONTINENTAL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
48 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 48 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 12.5% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 12.5% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 6.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Rear/Other | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Electrical System: 3; Seat Belts:Rear/Other: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 31 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 | 10 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2000: 10; 2001: 5; 2002: 5; 2003: 8; 2004: 2; 2005: 5; 2006: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 4; 2012: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 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 10096889 · 2004-10-14 (October 14, 2004)
WHILE PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE VEHICLE TO STOP IT FROM HITTING A CHILD, THE CONSUMER GRABBED THE STEERING WHEEL, THE VEHICLE PICKED UP SPEED AND ROLLED OVER HER RIGHT LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE A INSURANCE SPECIALIST INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10220944 · 2008-03-12 (March 12, 2008)
SECURITY FLASHES RAPIDLY WHICH PREVENTS THE IGNITION FROM STARTING. IT ROLLS OK BUT WILL NOT CRANK UP TO RUN. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ALMOST A YEAR AGO, BUT AFTER A LITTLE WAIT IT WOULD FINALLY CRANK. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS WE HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR ABOUT 4 TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. ON MAR , 2008 WE WERE LEFT STRANDED IN BILOXI, MS REQUIRING A TOW TO THE EASTERBROOK DEALERSHIP FROM WHERE THE AUTOMOBILE WAS PURCHASED IN 2004. AT TIMES THE SECURITY LIGHT WOULD FLASH NORMALLY, AND ON THOSE TIMES WE COULD DRIVE ANYWHERE WE LIKED WITHOUT WORRY. FR…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10220944 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029180 · 2003-07-25 (July 25, 2003)
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON A 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE CAR STALLING OUT. THIS MADE STEERING AND BRAKING VERY DIFFICULT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO POWER GOING TO THESE UNITS ON THE CAR. I WAS LUCKY AND THE TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIGHT AT THE TIME. THE SECOND FAILURE HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN A DRIVEWAY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 96,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029180 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114809 · 2005-03-27 (March 27, 2005)
#1-WHILE LEAVING WORK THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED IN HALF PUNTURING (TEARING) THE TIRE CAUSING IMMEDIATE DEFLATION OF LEFT FRONT TIRE AFFECTING STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKING.(I HAD NO ADVANCE NOTICE -NOISE OR BOUNCE-BEFORE FAILURE). #2-FAILURE OCCURED IN A PARKING LOT AT LOW SPEED - THANKFULLY. #3-THE LEFT FRONT STRUT/SPRING ASSEMBLY #1F3Z*5W311*AA WAS REPLACED AS WELL AS THE RIGHT STRUT/SPRING #1F3Z*5W310*AA ASSEMBLY DUE TO INSPECTION REVIELED A CRACK IN THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING.THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS REPLACED. THIS COULD EASILY HAVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007400 · 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)
THE TIE ROD ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007400 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10109750 · 2005-01-14 (January 14, 2005)
TWO OF THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION COILS FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE AND STALL WHILE BEING DRIVEN. *NM *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10109750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006531 · 2003-12-15 (December 15, 2003)
I HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT ACT UP ONLY WHEN THEY WANTED TO AND THE DEALERSHIP IS DECLINING THAT THEY EXIST. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE FOR 3 WEEKS IN THE LAST MONTH AND THEY KEEP COMING UP WITH NOTHING. THEY ALSO CALLED ME IN AND WANTED TO KEEP MY CAR AND HAVE THE SERVICE MANAGER DRIVE IT FOR A FEW DAYS -IN WHICH HE ONLY DROVE 37 MILES, PRIOR TO THAT HE AND I DROVE THE CAR TO SEE IF ANYTHING STRANGE WOULD HAPPEN AND IT DID, WHICH NOW THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT CUSTOMER'S CONCERNS. I HAD A MAJOR DISPUTE …
Owner-reported narrative. 250,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8023377 · 2002-11-26 (November 26, 2002)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS FUEL TANK. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE A FIRE TRUCK MADE HIM STOP AND TOLD HIM HE WAS SPILLING GAS OVER THE STREET. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A PLASTIC CLIP THAT HOLD THE FUEL LINE AND IT WAS BROKEN WHICH IT CAUSE THE FUEL TO SPILL OUT. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8023377 at NHTSA ↗