Lincoln / Continental / 1997
1997 Lincoln Continental problems
Owners have filed 109 complaints about the 1997 Lincoln Continental with NHTSA. Visibility accounts for 14.7% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of steering at 11%.
Complaints109
Crashes5
Fires3
Injuries5
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Visibility 14.7% · 16
Steering 11.0% · 12
Service brakes, hydraulic 10.1% · 11
Suspension 10.1% · 11
Power train 9.2% · 10
Tires 8.3% · 9
Vehicle speed control 8.3% · 9
Electrical system 6.4% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 5 describe a crash, 3 describe a fire and 5 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 7 model years of the Lincoln Continental in this data, 1997 draws comparatively few complaints; 1991 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 8 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 59,075 miles.
In owners' own words
Rearview mirror was dark and consumer was unable to see. Mirror had an automatic dimmer process in which the material faded into the mirror. This caused poor visibility. Consumer drive vehicle to dealer, and mechanic informed consumer that this vehicle was not on recall, and warranty expired. Consumer had to pay for parts and labor. Visibility
The 1997 Lincoln Continental's review mirror has been replaced three times now. It is july, 2003, and the $400.00 Mirror needs to be replaced again. It's fogging up, looks like condenstation behind the glass on the mirror. Cannot see out of the mirror. Third time. This is unreasonable. Visibility
Dt: the windows in the vehicle will not roll down. This has happened numerous times. The vehicle is at dealer now, and they can't get windows down.. Dealer said it needed a rotor cup. This happens every week with the windows not working properly. Visibility · reported at 53,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Lincoln Continental years
1990 244 complaints · 19.7% engine and engine cooling 1991 399 complaints · 16.8% engine and engine cooling 1992 199 complaints · 26.6% engine and engine cooling 1993 200 complaints · 40.5% engine and engine cooling 1994 303 complaints · 31.7% engine and engine cooling 2000 108 complaints · 15.7% air bags