Brake response concerns
7 mentions · 8.3% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
Matching rule
\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\bU.S. public vehicle records
1988 Lincoln CONTINENTAL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
84 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 84 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 20.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 14 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 6.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 14 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 11 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 6 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 5 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 14; Structure:Frame And Members: 11; Electrical System:Ignition: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 6; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 5
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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 84 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 | 24 |
| 1996 | 21 |
| 1997 | 8 |
| 1998 | 8 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 5 |
1995: 24; 1996: 21; 1997: 8; 1998: 8; 1999: 5; 2000: 10; 2001: 3; 2002: 5
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 14 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 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 480460 · 1995-01-06 (January 6, 1995)
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480460 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483736 · 1995-09-07 (September 7, 1995)
IGNITION SWITCH WIRING SHORTED OUT PRIOR TO RECALL, CAUSING FAILURE OF DIGITAL DASH, ANTILOCK BRAKES/A/C, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO BEING OUT OF DATE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483736 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480301 · 1995-02-07 (February 7, 1995)
WIRING HARNESS FIRE. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480301 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480805 · 1995-01-24 (January 24, 1995)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED DUE TO VEHICLE BEING IN WATER.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480805 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501022 · 1996-01-29 (January 29, 1996)
POWER STEERING FAILED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501022 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 729752 · 2000-08-31 (August 31, 2000)
THE MOUNTS BETWEEN THE BODY AND SUBFRAME BELIEVED TO BE CALLED THE BODY INSULATORS WHICH HOLD THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION IN PLACE FAILED DUE TO ERROSION. THE MOUNTING BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINIG WASHER AND THE RUBBER MOUNT ALLOWING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO FALL ONTO THE GROUND. BOTH REAR MOUNTS FAILED AND IN THE PROCESS DISCONNECTED THE STEERING LINKAGE AT THE SLIP JOINT UNDER THE DASH WHICH ALLOWS FOR THE TILT STEERING. THIS STEERING JOINT COMPLETLY SEPARATED BECAUSE OF THE DISTANCE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL FROM THE ASSEMBLY FALLING. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 729752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8012883 · 2002-06-28 (June 28, 2002)
TRANSMISSION ONLY OPERATE IN REVERSE, ALL FORWARD GEAR SARE INOPERATIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8012883 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 564282 · 2002-02-14 (February 14, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD AN IGNITION PROBLEM THAT CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL, DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT SINCE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF IGNITION PROBLEM.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 564282 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 801273 · 1996-08-26 (August 26, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH OVERHEATS, SENDS TOO MUCH CURRENT, SUBJECT TO SHORT, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER BRAKES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801273 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722902 · 2000-05-19 (May 19, 2000)
FUEL LINE FROM GAS TANK TO ENGINE IS LEAKING AT RIGHT DOOR PILLAR UNDRBODY. INSPECTION REVEALS THE GAS LINE TO BE PLASTIC OF SOME TYPE, AND THE LEAK IS AT THE JUNCTION OF WHERE 2 LENGHTS OF FUEL LINE ARE JOINED TOGETHER AT THE FACTORY. IMMINENT FIRE HAZARD. HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ON MECURY SABLES AND FORD TAURUS' SECOND PROBLEM, REAR SWAY BAR, REAR SWAY BAR IS ATTACHED TO THE BODY, BUT THE 2 SUSPENSION LINKS THAT ATTACH TO THE ENDS OF THE SWAY BAR ARE BROKEN OR RUSTED. VEHICLE HANDLES DIFFENTLY WHILE MANUEVERING, FEEL THIS TO BE MAJOR C…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722902 at NHTSA ↗
Explore the data
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
84 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
0.0%Usable mileage0 / 84 records
73.8%Valid incident date62 / 84 records
100.0%Valid filing date84 / 84 records
73.8%Ordered incident and filing dates62 / 84 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Unknown Or Other | 1621.3%ODI 11129985 · 125 miTHE FRONT HOOD VIBRATES AS IF IT'S GETTING READY TO UNLATCH AS YOUR DRIVING AT 70 M.P.H. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT'S VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND SCARY. | 420.0%ODI 11324349 · 1,500 miINSTRUMENT CLUSTER DEPROGRAMS ITSELF, INTERIOR LIGHTING STOPPED WORKING, FOLDING EXTERIOR MIRRORS FOLD THEMSELVES WITHOUT COMMAND TO DO SO,REAR VIEW MIRROR CHANGES IT SETTING WITHOUT COMMAND, HUD FLASHES MULTICOLOR LIGHTS ONTO WINDSHIELD VIEWING AREA, APPROACH LIGHTING STOPPED WORKING. SYNC3 WAS PROGRAMMED TO DISPLAY MAP ON STARTUP BUT RECENTLY CAME UP WITH DIFFERENT SETUP. ALL OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. BEGAN 12/11/2018 UNTIL PRESENT. *TR | 412.5%ODI 11434777I am not aware of an accident involving this defect. I am reporting a safety concern that occurred to me after I bought the car. All door controls(inside and out) are electronic. Doors are electronically opened by pressing a button. In the event of a crash that disables the electric system, occupants would be trapped in a locked car with no way to open the door. For this apparent reason, the driver's side door has a very small mechanical lever low on the driver's side door panel that will open the door in case of electrical failure. Howev… | 228.6%ODI 11413854 · 5,000 miUNEXPLAINED CRACK IN WINDSHIELD. CRACK APPEARED WITHOUT ANY EXTERNAL OBJECT STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD. TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE 70S AND NOT FREEZING TEMPERATURES ALL YEAR (LIVING IN FRESNO CA). NOT SURE WHEN IT HAPPENED, BUT I NOTICED IT WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 7 MILES. |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2019: 4 complaints · 2020: 5 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 32 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | Structure:Frame And Members | Electrical System:Ignition | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | — | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
4 patterns with matching reports.
Stalling or loss of power
5 mentions · 6.0% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
ODI 564282
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD AN IGNITION PROBLEM THAT CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL, DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT SINCE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF IGNITION PROBLEM.*JB
ODI 801273
IGNITION SWITCH OVERHEATS, SENDS TOO MUCH CURRENT, SUBJECT TO SHORT, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER BRAKES. *AK
ODI 8012884
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING WHILE IN REVERSE OR INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT MULTIPLE SPEED. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Matching rule
\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\bSteering assistance concerns
4 mentions · 4.8% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
ODI 806339
THE POWER STEERING SUPPORT BRACKET BROKE, CAUSING THE IDLER PULLEY TO FALL INTO THE ENGINE. *AK
ODI 967691
BOLT AND WASHER FELL THROUGH FRONT SUSPENSION CAUSING POWER STEERING TO COLLAPSE. TT
Matching rule
\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\bWarning lights and dashboard alerts
2 mentions · 2.4% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
ODI 515373
RECALL REPAIR NOT PERFORMED ON ANTI LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT DUE TO VIN.
ODI 740256
I CONTACTED FORD ON 01/30/01 IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA'S RECALL #88V118000. EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEMS THAT MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ARE IDENTICAL TO THOSE MENTIONED ON YOUR SITE, FORD SAID MY VIN WAS NOT AFFECTED. I EXPLIANED TO THEM THAT MY PROBLEMS WERE IDENTICAL AND I WANTED THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE DEFICIENCIES. FORD REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE PROBLEMS ARE AS FOLLOWS; BRAKE WARNING LIGHT,,NO BRAKE PRESSURE,,TURN SIGNALS INOPERATIVE, AUTO CLIMATE CONTROL AND FAN INOPERATIVE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISITANCE, JEFF CRANE.*AK
Matching rule
\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b