Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
48 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
96,683 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data updated: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Suspension:Front is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 48 complaints (10.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 8.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 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.
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front | 5 |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
Suspension:Front: 5; Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Suspension: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2
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 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 45 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 4 |
| 1997 | 10 |
| 1998 | 2 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1996: 4; 1997: 10; 1998: 2; 1999: 5; 2000: 4; 2001: 11; 2002: 6; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2009: 1
Suspension:Front leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SIDE VIEW MIRROR CONTAINED FILM WHICH RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009226 at NHTSA ↗
AUTOMOBILE DIMMING REARVIEW MIRROR IS NOT CLEAR,MELTING EFFECT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10080648 at NHTSA ↗
TL* - THE CONTACT IS CALLING REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06T023000. THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE TOOK HIS TIRES TO PEP BOYS THEY REFUSE TO PROVIDE HIM WITH FREE TIRES AND TOLD HIM HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE TIRES AT A PRO-RATED RATE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT DUE TO THE RECALL HE SHOULD HAVE NOT BEEN CHARGE. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE A COPY OF THE INVOICE IF NEEDED.
Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10176773 at NHTSA ↗
DEFECTIVE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IN LINCOLN CONTINENTAL RESULTS IN EXTREMELY UNSTABLE AND UNSAFE DRIVING. BLOWN AIR BAG WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE RESULTED IN REAR END CRASHING DOWN AND LEAVING CAR INOPERABLE. FAULTY COMPRESSOR LEAVES THE CAR 12 INCHES DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEFT AND RIGHT AND FRONT AND BACK. HEAD LIGHTS SHINE INTO THE SKY AND NOW INTO THE GROUND. DRIVING VEHICLE EXTREMELY UNSAFE ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. 3 YRS OF COMPLAINING TO FORD/LINCOLN - THEY WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM! GET THESE VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD BEFORE THEY CAUSE MAJOR RO…
Owner-reported narrative. 96,683 miles reported. Look up ODI 10181149 at NHTSA ↗
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE RESTS 12 INCHES HIGHER ON ONE SIDE THAN THE OTHER, FROM THE FRONT END TO THE REAR. AS A RESULT, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE UPWARDS TOWARDS THE SKY OR DOWNWARDS INTO THE GROUND. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS GONE INTO AIR SHOCK, FORCING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL AND DRIVE OFF THE ROAD. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 160,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10196008 at NHTSA ↗
LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT ON DRIVER'S SIDE WENT OUT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10259427 at NHTSA ↗
FILM COVERS THE WINDSHIELD WHENEVER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE USED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 509256 at NHTSA ↗
FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED .
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 511873 at NHTSA ↗
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
Reported: 1996-01-23 (January 23, 1996)
A DEFECTIVE CONTROL MODULE IN THE "AUTOLAMP" SYSTEM CAN MALFUNCTION. IF THE "AUTOLAMP" SYSTEM IS BEING USED TO ACTIVATE THE EXTERIOR LIGHT (INCLUDING HEADLAMPS), THE HEADLAMPS COULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THIS WILL NOT OCCUR IF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING IS TURNED ON MANUALLY BY THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.
Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMPS SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE IMPAIRED INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE "AUTOLAMP" CONTROL MODULE. OWNERS ARE INSTRUCTED TO USE THE MANUAL HEADLAMP SWITCH UNTIL THE CONTROL MODULE CAN BE REPLACED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Reported: 1996-09-18 (September 18, 1996)
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL SHAFT MAY NOT BE FREE TO ROTATE AS INTENDED. IF THE PARK PAWL SHAFT DOES NOT ROTATE, IT WOULD PREVENT THE PARK PAWL FROM ENGAGING THE PARK GEAR WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS IN THE PARK POSITION.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROTATION AND THOSE SHAFTS WITH RESTRICTED ROTATION WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHORTER SHAFT THAT WILL NOT RESTRICT ROTATION.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
48 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | Too few reports for a range | 100,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10196008 · 100,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE RESTS 12 INCHES HIGHER ON ONE SIDE THAN THE OTHER, FROM THE FRONT END TO THE REAR. AS A RESULT, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE UPWARDS TOWARDS THE SKY OR DOWNWARDS INTO THE GROUND. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS GONE INTO AIR SHOCK, FORCING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL AND DRIVE OFF THE ROAD. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 160,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. |
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.
| 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. |
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.
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 |
| 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.
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Suspension:Front | Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Suspension | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | Exterior Lighting | Power Train:Manual Transmission | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Front | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
4 patterns with matching reports.
2 mentions · 4.2% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
WHEN IT RAINS THE POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK IN THE CAR. *AK DEALER REPLACED SERPINTINE BELT.*JB
\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b1 mentions · 2.1% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
WHILE DRIVING AND UPON DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL IT WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING UNWANTED ACCELERATION. AFTER DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE CONTINUED TO GAIN SPEED, ALSO, AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF, RPMS CONTINUED TO RACE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER DETERMINED THAT THROTTLE CABLE BROKE COMPLETLEY IN HALF.*AK
\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b1 mentions · 2.1% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
CONSUMER STARTED NOTICING THAT WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THEN TRYING TO CONTINUE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO, OR IT WILL JERK ABOUT A FOOT. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN IN DRIVE TO RESUME. *JG
\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b1 mentions · 2.1% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
WHILE STOPPING AT STOP LIGHT THE ENGINE WOULD STALL WITH OUT INDICATIONS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b