1997 Lincoln CONTINENTAL: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000969 · 2003-01-12 (January 12, 2003)
4.6 LITRE V8 ENGINE OF MY 1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL HAVING 58,600 MILES FAILED, AND HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED COSTING IN EXCESS OF $5,000. THIS ENGINE WAS MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO FACTORY RECOMMENDATIONS, AND I HAVE DOCUMENTATION EVIDENCING OIL AND FILTER CHANGES WERE PERFORMED ACCORDINGLY. FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSED TO EXTEND THE 50,000 MILE WARRANTY OF THIS ENGINE THAT HAS REQUIRED THAT I FILE A LAWSUIT FOR RECOVERY OF COMPENSORY DAMAGES.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,635 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000969 at NHTSA ↗
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 10007845 · 2003-02-20 (February 20, 2003)
ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM SELF-ACTIVATES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007845 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014722 · 2003-03-31 (March 31, 2003)
THE REAR VIEW MIRROR BECAME CLOUDED, WHICH CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE PROBLEM MAY BE CAUSED BY THE FLUID IN THE MIRROR WHICH WAS SUPPOSE TO BLOCK GLARE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014722 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 10020986 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
MY 1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WAS DAMAGED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT. THE REPAIRS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT HEADLAMPS. BOTH LINCOLN AND OUR DEALER HAVE INFORMED US THAT HEADLIGHTS FOR THE 1997 ARE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER AND WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR AT LEAST A MONTH. HEADLIGHTS ARE AN ESSENTIAL SAFETY ITEM. WE WOULD BE TICKETED IF WE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE WITHOUT WORKING HEADLIGHTS. IT SEEMS INCREDIBLE TO ME THAT REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHTS ARE UNAVAILABLE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020986 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 10024612 · 2003-06-20 (June 20, 2003)
REAR VIEW MIRROR IS PEELING AND BECOMES INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024612 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
96V166000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Reported: 1996-09-05 (September 5, 1996)
THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK.
Consequence: UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
NHTSA campaign record ↗