1988 Lincoln Continental
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Lincoln › Continental › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Lincoln Continental. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
9 recalls name the 1988 Lincoln Continental. Newest first.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virgnia, and…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If both rear corners drop, steering would become suddenly very difficult, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.
Vehicle description: taurus and sables built from 10-14-85 through 8-19-88, and lincoln continentals built from 11-4-87 through 9-30-88 (except 1989 - 1991 2.5L taurus and 1989 - 1992 sho). The affected cars were originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If one of the rear corners drops, only minor indications of a malfunction such as a clunking noise or slight change in steering wheel alignment are noticeable. however, if both rear corners of the subframe drop, steering becomes very difficult, which could adversely affect vehicle control and possibly result in an accident.
Remedy
Install a corrosion-resistant reinforcing plate and a new bolt on both rear subframe mounts. this recall campaign has been superseded by recall 98v-323.
Front disc brake rotors of the subject vehicles may experience severe corrosion if operated in areas where calcium chloride and sodium chloride are used extensively.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Severely corroded rotors may fracture or separate nearthe inner edges of the brake discs resulting in reduced braking effectiveness,higher than normal pedal efforts, loud grinding noises, and moderate pulls whenthe brakes are applied. Reduced braking effectiveness may increase minimumstopping distances, possibly resulting in an accident.
Remedy
Replace front brake rotors with full cast front brake rotors.
Process used for connecting the gas lines was substandard.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A gas leak could develop creating a fire potential.
Remedy
Install standard gas line compression fittings.
Electrical circuit that controls current to brake pump motor relay, heater and air conditioning blower motor, turn signals, and a electronic message center may overheat due to inability of ignition circuit wiring connections to dissipate heat generated by electrical loads.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Brake pump motor will not operate, substantially reducingbraking capability; brake warning light will come on.
Remedy
Replace ignition switch and modify switch wiring.
Nylon shielded wiring harness, located in the engine compartment, IS susceptible to heat damage and melting of the nylon material in 100 degree plus weather.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Melted nylon shield could drip onto the exhaust manifoldand result in an underhood fire.
Remedy
Wrap wiring harness with heat resistant fiberglass tape.
Transmission shift cables may not meet fords pull out load specifications for the swivel tube portion of the cable, which could allow the swivel tube to separate from the shift cable assembly.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Operator would not be able to shift from one of thedrive gears into park position.
Remedy
Replace shift cable.
Two torsion springs attached to rear suspension control arms may fracture and rub against a rear tire.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could result in sudden loss of tire inflationpressure with potential for an accident.
Remedy
Install torsion spring seats to restrict the springs from contacting the tire if they should fracture.
Driver and right front passenger inboard seat belts may be improperly anchored due to loose nuts that could back off.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Belt anchor could disengage the stud; an unattached beltassembly would not withstand an impact load.
Remedy
Inboard seat belt anchorages will be corrected to prevent loosening.
Owner complaints
84 complaints8 involved a crash10 involved a fire2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Ongoing problem with engine stalling while in reverse or intermittently while driving at multiple speed. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission only operate in reverse, all forward gear sare inoperative. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Instrument panel light will not come on until consumer pushes on throttle switch. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Consumer stated vehicle had an ignition problem that caused vehicle to stall, dealer replaced the ignition module, consumer IS requesting reimbursement since manufacturer IS aware of ignition problem.*jb
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Air suspension system
From what I understand, almost all lincoln's with this air suspension has experienced costly repairs.*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Nylon shield wiring harness located in engine compertment IS susceptible to heat and melting of nylon material. Please provide furather information.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Recall 88v101000; automatic transmission shift cable does not meet ford's pull out load specifications for swivel tube portion of cable, which could allow the swiveltube to separate from shift cable assembly. Please provie further information. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
I contacted ford on 01/30/01 in reference to nhtsa's recall #88v118000. Even though the problems that my vehicle IS experiencing are identical to those mentioned on your site, ford said my vin was not affected. I explianed to them that my problems were identical and I wanted the dealer to repair…
I contacted ford on 01/30/01 in reference to nhtsa's recall #88v118000. Even though the problems that my vehicle IS experiencing are identical to those mentioned on your site, ford said my vin was not affected. I explianed to them that my problems were identical and I wanted the dealer to repair the deficiencies. Ford refused to provide any further assistance. The problems are as follows; brake warning light,,no brake pressure,,turn signals inoperative, auto climate control and fan inoperative. Thank you for your assisitance, jeff crane.*ak
- Structure › Frame and members
Subframe bushings failed prior to recall notice 93v-106, consumer rquest reimbursement. nlm
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
When turning off ignition consumer noticed smoke in passenger compartment. Problem might be linked to an electrical short in steering wheel which caused a fire. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further details.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Recall repair 91v-134 of the brake rotors was not repaired in a timely manner due to lack of parts. nlm
- Electrical system › Ignition
Vehicle will not restart after making a long trip. battery had enough power. Vehicle will actually have to cool off before vehicle can restart, usually waiting about 7 hours. Consumer has been to numerous repair shops, and dealers, but no one could determine the cause. *ak
- Steering › Linkages · Structure › Frame and members
The mounts between the body and subframe believed to be called the body insulators which hold the engine and transmission in place failed due to errosion. the mounting bolts pulled through the retainig washer and the rubber mount allowing the engine and transmission to fall onto the ground. both…
The mounts between the body and subframe believed to be called the body insulators which hold the engine and transmission in place failed due to errosion. the mounting bolts pulled through the retainig washer and the rubber mount allowing the engine and transmission to fall onto the ground. both rear mounts failed and in the process disconnected the steering linkage at the slip joint under the dash which allows for the tilt steering. this steering joint completly separated because of the distance allowed to travel from the assembly falling. all steering was loss and there was no control of the vehical available. this IS a serious safety risk!!!! people will be hurt if not killed because of this problem especially if incountered at high speeds or traffic. lincoln has been notified of the problem and I have found previous recalls for this problem but only in high errosion states, mi, ct il ect..... I believe this problem IS larger than once thought due to the way the car was manufactured. the washers used are susceptible to rust because of the contours and gauge of the metal used. it has nothing to due to the area that a car has been driven. the fact there are no safety catches under the car IS simply wrong. under the previous recalls it IS stated that the steering may become hard to control when the mounts fail. the steering IS not hard to control but IS impossible, it IS no longer connected. the direction you are traveling at the time of failure IS the direction you continue to follow until stopped or redirected by the forces of nature. the problem IS apparent in the mercury sable, ford taurus as well as the lincoln continential. please reexamine this problem before people die, I cant begin to explain how lucky I and family were. Thankyou, RC
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings · Suspension › Rear
Fuel line from gas tank to engine IS leaking at right door pillar undrbody. Inspection reveals the gas line to be plastic of some type, and the leak IS at the junction of where 2 lenghts of fuel line are joined together at the factory. Imminent fire hazard. Have seen this problem before on mecury…
Fuel line from gas tank to engine IS leaking at right door pillar undrbody. Inspection reveals the gas line to be plastic of some type, and the leak IS at the junction of where 2 lenghts of fuel line are joined together at the factory. Imminent fire hazard. Have seen this problem before on mecury sables and ford taurus' second problem, rear sway bar, rear sway bar IS attached to the body, but the 2 suspension links that attach to the ends of the sway bar are broken or rusted. Vehicle handles diffently while manuevering, feel this to be major concern as well . *Ak
- Structure › Frame and members
Consumer contacted dealer in reference to recall nhtsa 98v323000/ manufacturer's recall 98s36/ rear subframe. dealer corrected the problem. however, when driving and making a left hand turn at a traffic light subframe broke. Manufacturer refused to correct the problem again. Please provide any further details. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
R/r brake engages or remains engaged sporadically causing extreme overheating and a fire (one occasion). Dealer unable to correct problem on the two occasions it was towed in. *ak
- Suspension › Rear › Springs › Air suspension system
Rear air shocks failed. yh
- Wheels
Wheel fell off causing vehicle damage. (ohio traffic crash report) *mjs
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
When traveling and upon depressing the brake pedal to make a normal stop, the pedal traveled to the floorboard,resulting in extended stopping distance. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has inspected and repaired the vehicle, and the problem still exists. *ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Unknown or other
Engine check light kept coming on. Took back to be used. Dealer replaced alternator. problem still exists, later. Took vehicle back & was informed that engine head gaskets had blown. *ak
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Structure › Frame and members
Subframe assembly fell off, causing loss of steering control, and extensive vehicle damage prior to recal notice 98536. *yc
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Structure › Frame and members
Consumers front end subframe assembly fell out causing driver to loose steering control prior to recall notice. campaign #93v106
- Structure › Frame and members
Consumer complained of recall repair concerning nhtsa recall # 93V -06 failure. the body mounts at the rear corners of the sub-frame, which support the engine and transmission, may become detached due to corrosion of the subframe mount retainning plate. This would allow rear corners of sub-frame to drop. Dealer refused to correct recall failure because vehicle out of warranty. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
Consumer puts vehicle in drive and vehicle will accelerate. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Interior lighting · Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch · Power train › Automatic transmission · Structure › Body › Door · Suspension › Front › Springs › Air suspension system · Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Various lights in the system failed several times.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Rear lower subframe assembly
To determine whether the cars that were not included in the safety recall 93v-106 should be recalled due to the same failure phenomenon, and to determine if there IS remedy failure issue
- Alleged defective tie rods
Alleged defective tie rods
- Broken tie rods
There is no summary currently available
- Broken tie rods
There is no summary currently available
- Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
There is no summary currently available
- Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
There is no summary currently available
- Engine mount failure
There is no summary currently available
- Brake disc hub separations
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- Ps pump pulley breaks
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- Air suspension failure
There is no summary currently available
- ABS failure
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3020102Unknown
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 613234Information regarding tsb 98-5a-12 (transaxle/transmission/transfer case-vehicles towed behind recreational vehicles-recommended guidelines) does not list towing information for certain model vehicles. *Mjs
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 607497Information regarding the the availability of the revised headgasket for coolant loss conditions on some engines.
- 604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals.
- 603583Some vehicles with 3.8L engine may use shorter head bolts in the outboard position.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601270Concerns with coolant may leak from the head gaskets and / or the vehicle may overheat.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 601004Some vehicles may cycle when brakes are applied on rough roads or on an incline while making a sharp turn.
- 600591Transaxles use a new transmission fluid.
- 53660Vehicles exhibiting a "squeaking" or "chirping" from the blower motor at low blower motor speeds.
- 51990Blower motor- "chirping" or "squeaking" from blower motor at low speeds.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 51682Blower motor- "chirp" or "squeak" from blower motor at low speeds.
- 51540The abs/red brake/air suspension lamps coming on, check for a bad ground on circuit 430.
- 51491The abs/red brake/air suspension lamps coming on, check for a bad ground on circuit 430.
- 51361Some power steering hoses have been replaced with a revised design and should no longer be used for service.
- 51184Verify the transaxle installed in the vehicle IS the correct model and model year for the vehicle.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
- 45949Suspension-rear-availability of camber kit to improve inner edge wear on rear rear tires. Tires-rear-inner edge wear-availability of camber kit to improve wear.
- 45937The torque converter identification codes have been revised as of 3/1/95.
- 42077Unknown
- 41025A revised service windshield wiper motor IS now available.
- 39903Chirp or squeak noise from blower motor at low speeds.
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
- 39884Chirp or squeak from blower motor.
- 39717Wiper motor replacement - upgraded service kits.
Every Lincoln Continental model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.