Low beam head light on driver's side went out.
The worst 1996 Lincoln Continental problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Suspension13
- Visibility8
- Transmission7
- Steering6
- Engine4
- Acceleration3
- Body3
- Brakes3
- Electrical3
- Lights3
- Seats2
- Airbags1
- Seat belts1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Lincoln Continental
Recalls 2
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- The automatic transmission park pawl shaft may not be free to rotate as intended. If the park pawl shaft does not rotate, it would prevent the park pawl from engaging the park gear when the shift lever is in the park position.
- Risk
- This condition could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral with the shift lever in the park position.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft rotation and those shafts with restricted rotation will be replaced with a shorter shaft that will not restrict rotation.
Recall number 96V176000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting
- What is wrong
- A defective control module in the "autolamp" system can malfunction. If the "autolamp" system is being used to activate the exterior light (including headlamps), the headlamps could shut off without warning. This will not occur if the exterior lighting is turned on manually by the headlight switch.
- Risk
- If the headlamps shut off while the vehicle is driven, driver visibility would be impaired increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the "autolamp" control module. Owners are instructed to use the manual headlamp switch until the control module can be replaced.
Recall number 96V009000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Lincoln Continental 155
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Groan/buzz/vibration when the gear selector is in park with the vehicle parked on an incline
- Remote keyless entry (RKE) - service tips
- New transmission cooler flusher - service tips
- Torque converter clutch not engaging when commanded and/or diagnostic trouble codes P0741 or P1744 stored...
- Climate control a/c service tech tips
- Lamp-brake-invadvertent disabling of brake shift interlock
- Transfer service tips for the front wiper motor mount bracket and depressed park output arm
- Some engine assemblies with aluminum cylinder heads repaired in-vehile have been found to leak coolant...
- Engine oil system priming procedures, service tips for reports of premature engine failure
- Some vehicles may exhibit a groan/buzz/vibration when the gear selector is in park
1996 Lincoln Continental fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6L 8‑cyl | FWD | 15 | 23 | 18 |
What 1996 Lincoln Continental owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 lincoln continental. The contact stated that the air suspension system is defective. The vehicle rests 12 inches higher on one side than the other, from the front end to the rear. As a result, the headlights illuminate upwards towards the sky or downwards into the ground. He stated that the vehicle has gone into air shock, forcing him to lose control and drive off the road. The current mileage is 160,000 and failure mileage was 100,000.
Defective air suspension system in lincoln continental results in extremely unstable and unsafe driving. Blown air bag while driving vehicle resulted in rear end crashing down and leaving car inoperable. Faulty compressor leaves the car 12 inches difference between left and right and front and back. Head lights shine into the sky and now into the ground. Driving vehicle extremely unsafe especially at night. 3 yrs of complaining to ford/lincoln - they won't acknowledge the problem! Get these vehicles off the road before they cause major road accidents. Mn state attorney general notified - file # rjm/2006/322030/c.
Tl* - the contact is calling regarding the federal safety agency campaign id number: 06t023000. The contact states that he took his tires to pep boys they refuse to provide him with free tires and told him he would have to pay for the tires at a pro-rated rate. The contact feels that due to the recall he should have not been charge. The contact can provide a copy of the invoice if needed.
Automobile dimming rearview mirror is not clear,melting effect.
The rear view mirror and side view mirror contained film which resulted in poor visibility.
I have contacted lincoln about the paint and mirrors and they will not do anything about it. The mirror is on the driver's side is discolored and distored. I have to take the car to an autobody shop per dealer and was told that it was a defected paint job from the lincoln. They will not do anything about it. Dt
Consumer took car to the dealer where purchased complaining about an odor emmiting from the air conditioning smelling like mildew.
While traveling on the highway the air suspension went out the vehicle air shocks and the vehicle in unable to steer. The dealership is aware of the problem. Mr
The gear shift will not shift. It will slide up and down intermittenly without prior warning and will not move. The dealership is aware of the problem. Nlm
Compare the 1996 Lincoln Continental
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Questions about the 1996 Lincoln Continental
Is the 1996 Lincoln Continental reliable?
Owners have filed 48 complaints about the 1996 Lincoln Continental, 1.5 times a typical Continental model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Lincoln Continental?
Suspension, with 13 complaints. Next is visibility (8).
How many recalls does the 1996 Lincoln Continental have?
2 recalls, covering power train and exterior lighting.
What year does the Lincoln Continental have bad suspension?
The Lincoln Continental model years with the most suspension complaints are 1991 (44 complaints), 1994 (29 complaints) and 1990 (28 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Lincoln Continental get?
Official estimates for the 1996 Lincoln Continental range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.6L 8-cyl, FWD) gets 15 city and 23 highway.
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