1997 Lincoln Continental: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Lincoln Continental: 1 recall, 96 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #96V166000 · 1996 · 40,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Unintended and unexpected vehicle movement can result in personal injury and property damage.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Brakes (hydraulic) Equipment recall #16E026000 · 2016 · 49,635 vehicles
What's wrong: These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury sable, 1995-1999 Ford taurus sho, 1995-2002 Lincoln continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln mark viii vehicles. The brake pad shim May shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.
Why it matters: A damaged or broken brake disc May reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (15): the most common themes are leaks (4).
- Steering (12): the most common themes are steering problems (6), noise or vibration (4).
- Transmission & drivetrain (10): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (10): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (2), noise or vibration (2).
The 1997 Lincoln Continental has 96 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 17 Continental model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 82). Complaints peaked in 2000 (18 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 59,075 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (48 complaints, 2 recalls), 1998 (72 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Lincoln Continental.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Lincoln Continental have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1997 Lincoln Continental, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1997 Lincoln Continental problems?
Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility (wipers, glass) (15), steering (12), transmission & drivetrain (10).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Lincoln Continental get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.6 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Lincoln Continental repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.