1994 Lincoln CONTINENTAL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
110 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
87,456 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 33 of 110 complaints (30.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 10.0% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 9.1% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 5.5% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 5.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 33 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 14 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 8 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 5 |
| Suspension:Rear:Springs:Air Suspension System | 5 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 4 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 33; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 14; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 8; Structure:Frame And Members: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 5; Suspension:Rear:Springs:Air Suspension System: 5; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 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 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 3
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 93 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 | 9 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 37 |
| 2001 | 27 |
| 2002 | 14 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1995: 9; 1996: 1; 2000: 37; 2001: 27; 2002: 14; 2003: 10; 2004: 5; 2005: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000337 · 2002-12-21 (December 21, 2002)
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM- WINDOWS, TRUNK WILL NOT GO UP NOR DOWN.CAR WOULDN'T CUT OFF EVEN WHEN THE KEY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE EGNITION SHOCKS AND SUSPENSION-SHOCKS ARE CONSISTANTLY BEING REPLACED FOR UNKNOWED PURPOSES. INCLUDING THE AIR SUSPENSION. OVER HEATING- RADIATOR AND TERMOSTATE WAS REPLACED AND HAS GONE BAD WITHIN 1 WEEK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004669 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: RECALL HEAD MOUNT , SUBFRAME, AIR BAG SUSPENSION SYSTEM, AIR SHOCK, REAR STABILIZER AND REAR SHOCK SENSORS-BOUNCING/BOBBING IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, RIGHT REAR TIRE, LEFT REAR AIR STRUT-WAS BLOWN AND WAS DRAGGING DOWN IN BACK, A CONVERSION OF SUSPENSION WAS DONE TO CONVERT TO COIL SPRINGS AND REPLACE ALL 4 STRUTS AND HARDWARE, RECALL BRAKE & MOTOR MOUNT-BRAKE GRINDING, HEAD GASKET, AND INNER TIE ROD. (RECALL #'S 94V129000 & 97V019000) SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004669 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005242 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
I NEVER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS ON THE 94 LINCOLN CONT. AFTER PAYING FOR THE REPAIR I RESEARCHED INFO. IN ALLDATA & THERE WAS A GENERAL RECALL (TSB00M09). I CONTACTED THE DEALERS & IT WAS STILL OPEN UNDER MY VIN #. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO VARIOUS DEALERS BUT NOT ONE OF THEM HAD THE INTEGRITY TO LET ME KNOW ABOUT THIS LINGERING PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005242 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006080 · 2003-02-11 (February 11, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE ALTERNATOR BURNED OUT.*SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 25,701 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006080 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009708 · 2003-03-13 (March 13, 2003)
THE HEAD GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED.*AK *JB VECHILE STALLED OUT AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. CONSUMER LEARNED OF EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 100,000 MILES/7 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER DEALER WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE REPAIRS BECAUSE VEHICLE IS OLDER THAN 7 YEARS. VEHICLE IS JUST UNDER MILEAGE WITH 92,046 MILES. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 92,046 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009708 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028548 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)
AFTER CAR INSPECTED AND SEVERAL REPAIRS COMPLETED ON MY 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL, EXECUTIVE SERIES IN GOOD CONDITION, THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND THE DEALERSHIP STATED TO TRADE-IN THE VEHICLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10028548 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031950 · 2003-08-04 (August 4, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, AND THE BACK SUSPENSION WENT OUT, DRIVER ALSO HAD PROBLEM WITH STEERING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031950 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039591 · 2003-09-26 (September 26, 2003)
STONG GAS ODOR INSIDE OF CAR WHEN GAS TANK IS NEAR EMPTY. ODOR DOES NOT OCCUR EVERYTIME GAS TANK IN CLOSE TO EMPTY, AND NEVER OCCURS WHEN TANK IS FULL. HAVE TAKEN CAR INTO DEALERSHIP TWICE, AND THEY CAN SMELL THE GAS, BUT HAD TROUBLE LOCATING THE PROBLEM. THEY FOUND SOMETHING IN THEIR TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM 1997 THAT HAD TO DO WITH A VAPOR VENT HOSE THAT RUNS UNDER THE BACK SEAT OF VEHICLE AND WHEN REACHES TEMPS OF 90 DEGREES OR MORE, FUEL FUMES WERE COMING INTO VEHICLE WHEN THE MAX A/C IS ON. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO MY PROBLEM. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039591 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
94V129000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
Reported: 1994-07-12 (July 12, 1994)
THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD RETAINER (HAIRPIN CLIP) MAY BE MISSING OR NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED ON THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAN CAUSE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKE PUSHROD AND LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY.
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RETAINER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V019000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
Reported: 1997-02-25 (February 25, 1997)
THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V025000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1997-02-26 (February 26, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.
Consequence: DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V009000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
Reported: 1998-01-21 (January 21, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.
Consequence: LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V323000 · Structure:Frame And Members
Reported: 1998-12-16 (December 16, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.
Consequence: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗