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1997 Lincoln ContinentalProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 96 owner complaints about the 1997 Lincoln Continental, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

46
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.2× the Continental median · #8 of 19 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints9610 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage48kVisibility, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 20, 2019. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Lincoln Continental has problems

96 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Visibility150
Steering120
Power train100
Service brakes, hydraulic100
Suspension100
Tires91
Vehicle speed control82
Electrical system71
Engine and engine cooling60
11 other systems163

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1997 Lincoln Continental recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)

Recall 96V-166 · Sep 5, 1996 · 40,000 vehicles

Risk. UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lincoln.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Continental year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Continental median. How we score

'69'74'75'77'78'79'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'17'18'19'20
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Continental owners report

Recent visibility complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR FAILED TO DIM AUTOMATICALLY. THE MIRROR IS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT GLARE FROM THE OTHER VEHICLES' LIGHTS. THE MIRROR FAILED DUE TO UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES THE FIRST TIME. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE SECOND MIRROR FAILED BECAUSE THE LIQUID…
Complaint 10149027 · Jan 30, 2006 · 42,800 miles
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.*AK
Complaint 10126802 · Jun 28, 2005 · 53,000 miles
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.…
Complaint 10094314 · Sep 24, 2004

Own a 1997 Continental?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.