1998 Lincoln CONTINENTAL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
72 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data updated: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 72 complaints (13.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Braking behavior
12
16.7%
Steering behavior
8
11.1%
Transmission and shifting
7
9.7%
Engine operation
4
5.6%
Electrical and battery issues
1
1.4%
Fuel system concerns
1
1.4%
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.
Vehicle Speed Control
10
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
5
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
4
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
4
Electrical System
3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
3
Seat Belts:Rear/Other
3
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Vehicle Speed Control
10
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
5
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
4
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
4
Electrical System
3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
3
Seat Belts:Rear/Other
3
Vehicle Speed Control: 10; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Electrical System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 3; Seat Belts:Rear/Other: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
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
Reported problems by failure mileage data
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). 55 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.
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 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.
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 …
AUTO ACCELERATES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP, OR WHEN IN DRIVE AND STANDING STILL. I HAVE REPORTED THIS DEFECT TO FOR SERVICE AND I WAS INFORMED THAT NO DEFECT WAS FOUND. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON MANY OCCASIONS. I WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT NO TECHNICAL SUPPORT MEMOS WERE ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM. *NLM
AUTO ACCELERATES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP OR WHEN IN DRIVE AND STANDING STILL. I HAVE REPORTED THIS DEFECT FOR SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO DEFECT WAS FOUND. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON MANY OCCASIONS. I WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT NO TECHNICAL SUPPORT MEMOS WERE ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM. *NLM
THE AUTOMATIC DIMMING INSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR APEARS FROSTED OVER HALF OF THE GLASS DISTORTING THE VIEW TO THE REAR. THIS MIRROR WAS REPLACED LESS THAN ONE YEAR AGO FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM. RESEARCH ON THE INTERRNET INDICATES THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH LINCOLN CONTINENTALS OF MULTIPLE YEARS IN THE LATE 1990'S. THERE ARE NUMERIOUS INCIDENTS OF THIS DEFECT IN THE NHTSA COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE. FORD MOTOR CO APARENTLY HAS NO SOLUTION TO THIS DEFECT AS CURRENT REPLACEMENT MIRRORS FAIL AGIN IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. I BELEIVE THIS DEFECT SHOULD …
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
SERVICE AND REPAIR OF 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS UPSET THAT THE DEALER WAS STILL SERVICING THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS GOING ON THE SIXTH WEEK.*TS *JB
THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE RETRACTOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IT WAS LATER NOTICED THAT THE REAR LEFT SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE RETRACTOR WAS DEFECTIVE BUT WOULD ONLY REPLACE THE RETRACTOR AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. *AK THE REAR SEATS WEREN'T HARDLY OCCUPIED. *SCC *JB
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
98V028000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 1998-02-10 (February 10, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.
Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
72 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
23.6%Usable mileage17 / 72 records
76.4%Valid incident date55 / 72 records
100.0%Valid filing date72 / 72 records
75.0%Ordered incident and filing dates54 / 72 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 complaint heatmap
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 mi
THE 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.
INSTRUMENT 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
I 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…
UNEXPLAINED 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.
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 failure mileage distribution
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Vehicle Speed Control
Too few reports for a range
66,098 mi
4 (sparse)
ODI 10020974 · 31,195 mi
AUTO ACCELERATES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP, OR WHEN IN DRIVE AND STANDING STILL. I HAVE REPORTED THIS DEFECT TO FOR SERVICE AND I WAS INFORMED THAT NO DEFECT WAS FOUND. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON MANY OCCASIONS. I WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT NO TECHNICAL SUPPORT MEMOS WERE ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM. *NLM
AUTO ACCELERATES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP OR WHEN IN DRIVE AND STANDING STILL. I HAVE REPORTED THIS DEFECT FOR SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO DEFECT WAS FOUND. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON MANY OCCASIONS. I WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT NO TECHNICAL SUPPORT MEMOS WERE ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM. *NLM
VEHICLE ACCELERATES BY ITSELF. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP APPROX. EVERY YEAR FOR THIS SINCE 2005 AND AS RECENT AS JUNE OF 08. THE DEALERSHIP USUALLY REPLACES THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE BUT THIS PROBLEM WILL AGAIN SERVICE AFTER ABOUT ONE YEAR. I HAVE PAID FOR A COMPLETE FUEL INDUCTION CLEANING (10-05-07). THE ONLY THING THAT WORKS IS REPLACING THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE BUT LIKE I SAID THE PROBLEM RESURFACES. THE CAR WILL IDLE AT 500 RPM FOR NORMAL BUT IDLE AT 1000 RPM IN DRIVE WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS, IF I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL IT WILL TA…
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000.
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 …
THE MIDDLE AND REAR SEAT BELT ARE NOT RETRACTING. THE DEALER WILL NOT FIX THIS SINCE IT ISN'T UNDER WARRANTLY. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE RETRACTORS ARE DEFECTED. SINCE SEAT BELTS ARE A SAFETY ISSUE, IT SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH A SEAT BELT. THE DEALER WILL CHARGE $650 TO FIX THIS AND WHO KNOWS WHEN THIS HAPPEN AGAIN.
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
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
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
Equal observation windows
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
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
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 co-occurrence matrix
Component
Vehicle Speed Control
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Electrical System
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
Seat Belts:Rear/Other
Vehicle Speed Control
—
0
0
1ODI 8004409
VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN IDLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED, BUT THEN IT STARTED TO REV UP UNTIL IT REACHED 1200 RPMS, AND THEN IT GOT STUCK ON 3000 RPMS CONTACTED DEALER.*AK
CONSUMER STATED AT 17,000 MILES, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FAILED TO CONTINUE OPERATING, DEALERSHIP EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO REMEDY PROBLEM, THEN ON 26-SEP-2001, ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE RIGHT VALVE COVER GASKET WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALSO THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT GO OUT LEAVING DOORS IN THE OPEN POSITION. *JG *AK
CONSUMER STATED AT 17,000 MILES, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FAILED TO CONTINUE OPERATING, DEALERSHIP EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO REMEDY PROBLEM, THEN ON 26-SEP-2001, ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE RIGHT VALVE COVER GASKET WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALSO THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT GO OUT LEAVING DOORS IN THE OPEN POSITION. *JG *AK
CONSUMER STATED AT 17,000 MILES, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FAILED TO CONTINUE OPERATING, DEALERSHIP EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO REMEDY PROBLEM, THEN ON 26-SEP-2001, ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE RIGHT VALVE COVER GASKET WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALSO THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT GO OUT LEAVING DOORS IN THE OPEN POSITION. *JG *AK
VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN IDLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED, BUT THEN IT STARTED TO REV UP UNTIL IT REACHED 1200 RPMS, AND THEN IT GOT STUCK ON 3000 RPMS CONTACTED DEALER.*AK
CONSUMER STATED AT 17,000 MILES, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FAILED TO CONTINUE OPERATING, DEALERSHIP EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO REMEDY PROBLEM, THEN ON 26-SEP-2001, ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE RIGHT VALVE COVER GASKET WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALSO THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT GO OUT LEAVING DOORS IN THE OPEN POSITION. *JG *AK
CONSUMER STATED AT 17,000 MILES, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FAILED TO CONTINUE OPERATING, DEALERSHIP EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO REMEDY PROBLEM, THEN ON 26-SEP-2001, ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE RIGHT VALVE COVER GASKET WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALSO THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT GO OUT LEAVING DOORS IN THE OPEN POSITION. *JG *AK
CONSUMER STATED AT 17,000 MILES, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FAILED TO CONTINUE OPERATING, DEALERSHIP EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO REMEDY PROBLEM, THEN ON 26-SEP-2001, ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE RIGHT VALVE COVER GASKET WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALSO THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT GO OUT LEAVING DOORS IN THE OPEN POSITION. *JG *AK
CONSUMER STATED AT 17,000 MILES, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FAILED TO CONTINUE OPERATING, DEALERSHIP EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO REMEDY PROBLEM, THEN ON 26-SEP-2001, ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE RIGHT VALVE COVER GASKET WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALSO THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT GO OUT LEAVING DOORS IN THE OPEN POSITION. *JG *AK
CONSUMER STATED AT 17,000 MILES, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FAILED TO CONTINUE OPERATING, DEALERSHIP EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO REMEDY PROBLEM, THEN ON 26-SEP-2001, ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE RIGHT VALVE COVER GASKET WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALSO THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT GO OUT LEAVING DOORS IN THE OPEN POSITION. *JG *AK
CONSUMER STATED AT 17,000 MILES, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FAILED TO CONTINUE OPERATING, DEALERSHIP EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO REMEDY PROBLEM, THEN ON 26-SEP-2001, ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE RIGHT VALVE COVER GASKET WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALSO THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT GO OUT LEAVING DOORS IN THE OPEN POSITION. *JG *AK
CONSUMER STATED AT 17,000 MILES, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FAILED TO CONTINUE OPERATING, DEALERSHIP EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO REMEDY PROBLEM, THEN ON 26-SEP-2001, ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE RIGHT VALVE COVER GASKET WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALSO THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT GO OUT LEAVING DOORS IN THE OPEN POSITION. *JG *AK
CONSUMER STATED AT 17,000 MILES, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FAILED TO CONTINUE OPERATING, DEALERSHIP EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO REMEDY PROBLEM, THEN ON 26-SEP-2001, ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE RIGHT VALVE COVER GASKET WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALSO THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT GO OUT LEAVING DOORS IN THE OPEN POSITION. *JG *AK
CONSUMER STATED AT 17,000 MILES, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FAILED TO CONTINUE OPERATING, DEALERSHIP EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO REMEDY PROBLEM, THEN ON 26-SEP-2001, ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE RIGHT VALVE COVER GASKET WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALSO THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT GO OUT LEAVING DOORS IN THE OPEN POSITION. *JG *AK
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.
5 patterns with matching reports.
Brake response concerns
4 mentions · 5.6% of complaints
Median mileage: 180,000 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10410532 · 180,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000.
ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE FAILS TO START. THESE EVENTS HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY AND AFTER A BREIF WAIT IT WILL GENERAL START. LIKE ALWAYS THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN WHEN THE DEALER CAN EXPERANCE THE EVENT. BIGGEST CONSER IS THAT POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAIL WITH THE ENGINE WHEN THIS TAKES PLACE ON THE ROAD AT HIWAY SPEEDS. HAVE BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEN ALWAYS STARTS UPON ARRIVAL. *AK
CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES. GAS PEDAL IS HIGHER THEN BRAKE PEDAL. CONSUMER APPLIED THE GAS PEDAL, AND VEHICLE WENT STRAIGHT THROUGH THE GARAGE. *AK
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
THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND STALLED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS SLOWING DOWN. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE REPEATEDLY, BUT IT STALLED UPON STARTING TO MOVE. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT A MECHANIC AT ANOTHER SHOP IDENTIFIED THE CAUSE TO BE A FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER. *YH
Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b
Hard or delayed shifting
2 mentions · 2.8% of complaints
Median mileage: 145,304 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10244162 · 145,304 mi
VEHICLE ACCELERATES BY ITSELF. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP APPROX. EVERY YEAR FOR THIS SINCE 2005 AND AS RECENT AS JUNE OF 08. THE DEALERSHIP USUALLY REPLACES THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE BUT THIS PROBLEM WILL AGAIN SERVICE AFTER ABOUT ONE YEAR. I HAVE PAID FOR A COMPLETE FUEL INDUCTION CLEANING (10-05-07). THE ONLY THING THAT WORKS IS REPLACING THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE BUT LIKE I SAID THE PROBLEM RESURFACES. THE CAR WILL IDLE AT 500 RPM FOR NORMAL BUT IDLE AT 1000 RPM IN DRIVE WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS, IF I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL IT WILL TA…
THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND STALLED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS SLOWING DOWN. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE REPEATEDLY, BUT IT STALLED UPON STARTING TO MOVE. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT A MECHANIC AT ANOTHER SHOP IDENTIFIED THE CAUSE TO BE A FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER. *YH
ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE FAILS TO START. THESE EVENTS HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY AND AFTER A BREIF WAIT IT WILL GENERAL START. LIKE ALWAYS THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN WHEN THE DEALER CAN EXPERANCE THE EVENT. BIGGEST CONSER IS THAT POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAIL WITH THE ENGINE WHEN THIS TAKES PLACE ON THE ROAD AT HIWAY SPEEDS. HAVE BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEN ALWAYS STARTS UPON ARRIVAL. *AK
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL HAD ONE HEADLIGHT THAT BECAME UNALIGNED AND WAS SHINING THE BEAM STRAIGHTENED UP IN THE AIR. THIS WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE LEFT HEADLIGHT. WAS HAVING WATER LEAKAGE AND AROUND THE LIGHT WAS TURNING BLACK. THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD WAS SAYING CHECK BRAKE LAMP, BUT THE BRAKE LAMPS WERE BOTH WORKING. THE OWNER THOUGHT THAT THE HEADLIGHT SHORTED OUT, CAUSING THAT INSIDE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD TO COME ON. THIS STARTED IN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE OWNER HAS NOT HAD THE CAR CHECKE…