1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

88

Owner Complaints

11 Crashes 2 Fires

2

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

23

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

The 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL has received a total of 88 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. 23 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Vehicle Speed Control (10 complaints), Power Trainautomatic Transmission (5 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System (4 complaints).

Recalls for the 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL, potentially affecting up to 621,435 vehicles.

Recall 16E026000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

| 49,635 vehicles affected

Defect: Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are...

Consequence: A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.

View full details →

Recall 98V028000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

| 571,800 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

View full details →

Owner Complaints for the 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

88 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 10 3 Crashes 1 Fire
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 5 1 Crash 1 Injury
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 4
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 4 1 Fire
Electrical System
Complaints: 3
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 3
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 3 2 Injuries
Seat Beltsrearother
Complaints: 3
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 3
Air Bags
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 2
Equipmentelectrical
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 2
Tires
Complaints: 2
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 2
Vehicle Speed Controllinkages
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemignitionanti Theftcontrol Module
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcrankcase Pcv
Complaints: 1
Equipment
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingturn Signalflasher Unit
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Otherstorage
Complaints: 1
Interior Lighting
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiontorque Converter
Complaints: 1
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 1
Seat Belts
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Seatsfront Assemblypower Adjust
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Steering
Complaints: 1
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpump
Complaints: 1
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
Complaints: 1
Structure
Complaints: 1
Structurebody
Complaints: 1
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontspringscoil Springs
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 1
Tirestreadbelt
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Visibility
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 1
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesinterior
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 1
Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#10578665 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | 109,000 miles
I AM ONE PERSON AMONG MANY THAT HAVE BEEN HAVING MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD FRONT WHEEL DRIVE TRANSMISSION. BOUGHT MY 98 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WITH 97000 MILES ON IT, AT 109000 MILES HAD TO PAY 2400 TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION PULLED AND REBUILT. I'M 65 YEARS OLD AND HAVE NEVER EVEN HIT THE PASSING GEAR. AT 155000 MILES IT HAD TO GET PULLED AGAIN. 1500 DOLLARS AT THST TIME. NOW WITH 175000 MILES ON IT THE CHECK TRANSMISSION SIGNAL IS ON AGAIN. I DID NOT UNTIL NOW DO ANY CODE CHECKS OR INTERNET SEARCH, BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT FORD KNOWS THEY BUILT A BAD UNIT. LOOKING TO FIND OUT IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY SILENT RECALLS OR IF YOUR DEPARTMENT HAS ANY INFORMATION THAT COULD HELP ME. MY CAR IS IN MINT CONDITION AND RUNS GREAT EXCEPT FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I REMEMBER READING THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS INVESTIGATED OR GOING TO BE LOOKED AT. CURRENTLY I GET A P1744 CODE OFF THE COMPUTER. I HOPE THERE IS A SILENT RECALL OR SOME INFO YOU MAY HAVE THAT COULD HELP ME.
#10465063 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | | N/A miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REARVIEW MIRROR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MIRROR HAD A DAY NIGHT AUTOMATIC TINTING FEATURE. THE SEALS ON THE MIRROR FAILED AND THE FLUIDS LEAKED AND COVERED THE MIRROR. THE MIRROR COULD NOT LONGER BE USED AND WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE MIRROR HIMSELF AND THE ORIGINAL MIRROR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE FAILURE AND WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE HOWEVER NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED TO THE CONTACT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
#10410532 | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | | 180,000 miles
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.
#10382742 | VISIBILITY | | 122,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR VIEW AND DRIVER SIDE MIRRORS WERE TINTED WITH AN ANTI-REFLECTION CHEMICAL WHICH MELTED THE PLASTIC INSIDE CAUSING THE MIRRORS TO LOOK FOGGY OR DARKER THAN THEY WERE. HE BELIEVED IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE HIS VISIBILITY WAS MINIMAL AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
#10377302 | SEAT BELTS | | 101,969 miles
THE RIGHT AND LEFT SEATS BELTS IN THE REAR OF CAR WILL NO LONGER RETRACT. I GOT THEM UNSTUCK A COUPLE TIMES BUT IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND AGAIN. I AM AFRAID BECAUSE MY KIDS SIT BACK THERE.

View all Vehicle Speed Control complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Ford Motor Company has issued 23 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

15392 — POWER TRAIN

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A PARK PULLOUT CLUNK NOISE WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO ANOTHER GEAR POSITION. *TT

15059 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

CONCERNS WITH VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A AX4N / 4F50N TRANSAXLE EXHIBITING A SHUDDER DURING A 3-4 SHIFT. *TT

996899 — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

CONCERNS WITH WINDOW RUN AND BELT MOULDINGS DEVELOPING A WHITE SPOTTING APPEARANCE. *TT

9911998 — STEERING

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HIGH STEERING EFFORTS DUE TO DAMAGE TO THE CAM AND / OR ROTOR IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *TT

13126 — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

SUBJECT PERTAINING TO WHITE SPOTS ON WINDOW RUNS AND BELT. *TT

6558 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SUBJECT REGARDING THE FORD QUALITY RENEWAL (FQR) LAUNCH. *TT

5106 — WHEELS

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A LIGHT SCRAPING / GRINDING / TICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. THE NOISE IS OFTEN INTERMITTENT AND MAY CHANGE IN INTENSITY WITH VEHICLE SPEED OR WHEN TURNING. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY A PLASTIC TIE STRAP COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE BACKSIDE OF THE WHEEL.*TT

12223 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

FOR ALL VEHICLES WITH DRIVERS DOOR MODULE CONCERNS THAT REQUIRE A MODULE REPLACEMENT, THE TECHNICIAN MUST CALL FOR APPROVAL BEFORE REMOVING AND / OR REPLACING. *TT

982318 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE " CHECK TRACTION CONTROL " LAMP IN THE MESSAGE CENTER MAY ILLUMINATE ON SOME VEHICLES. *YC

12068 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

VEHICLES WILL NOT START WITH A PROGRAMMED PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT (PATS) KEY FOR 20 SECONDS AFTER AN ATTEMPT TO START WITH A NON-PROGRAMMED PATS KEY. *MJS

Showing 10 of 23 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

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Other LINCOLN Models

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