Shortly after start, 200m, engine still cold , I smell smoke,,stopted immediatly passing bridge, smoke still, more intensive. I talk to drivers around to call fire departement. Took only blouse close to me and leave the car. Moke and first fire started right from feed space. No fire in engine area. .
The worst 1997 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.
- Visibility15
- Steering12
- Brakes10
- Suspension10
- Transmission10
- Tires9
- Acceleration8
- Electrical7
- Engine7
- Airbags4
- Fuel system3
- Lights2
- Body1
- Driver assistance1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Lincoln Continental
Recalls 1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is 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.
- Risk
- Unintended and unexpected vehicle movement can result in personal injury and property damage.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.
Recall number 96V166000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Lincoln Continental 157
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- General (PCM) power train control module programming procedures. tt
- General power train control module (PCM) programming procedures. tt
- Groan/buzz/vibration when the gear selector is in park with the vehicle parked on an incline. tt this...
- Malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457 or...
- Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips. tt
- New transmission cooler flusher - service tips. 2003 escort and super duty f series included. tt
- Torque converter clutch not engaging when commanded and/or diagnostic trouble codes P0741 or P1744 stored...
- Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illumination with diagnostic trouble codes P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457,...
- Climate control a/c service tech tips. eh
- Lamp-brake-invadvertent disabling of brake shift interlock. mj
1997 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 1997 Lincoln Continental owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Takata recall. I was driving 35mph going down main road in an office park. Other vehicle failed to yield right of way and came thru stop sign. I had almost zero time to react. I slammed on brakes trying to prepare for impact. We hit. My driver's side front bumper hit his passenger side front. His airbag deployed, mine did not. Police, firefighters, and ambulance personnel stated it should have. I have had neck surgery in the past, with 4 fusions. I am extremely sore. The airbag could have helped me to not be jerked around so much. Thankfully, my car is an older, well built vehicle so damage is minimal. Window knocked off track, bumper damage that will need to be sanded and painted, headlight cracked.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 lincoln continental. The contact stated that the transmission failed at 40,000 miles and had to be replace. Also, the contact mentioned that while driving 35 MPH the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnose that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 lincoln continental. The contact started the vehicle and the vehicle lunged forward abnormally, while still in park. The check engine lamp was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the pressure regulator solenoid and the neutral safety switch were defective. As a result, the park pawl abutment bracket needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 96v166000 (power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 172,000.
My car caught on fire under the hood and had to be junked.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 lincoln continental. The contact noticed the driver side front tire was flat. The vehicle was towed and the mechanic diagnosed the failure as the front coil springs and struts having failed. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 103,388. The vehicle has been repaired. The contact has the repair invoices.
Tl*- thee contact has a 1997 lincoln continental. The contact stated that he was having problems with both traction control, and the anti lock brakes. He has had 3 failures of the traction control and the antilock braking system. The manufacturer no longer makes the replacement parts, and one can only get used replacement parts. The current and failure mileage were 70,000.
1997 lincoln continental, right rear tire tread began to separate, the other three tires were almost separating at the tread with only 20,000 miles on them. Consumer would like reimbursement for cost of new tires. *kb at time of purchase the consumer noticed a bounce and wobble in the vehicle while driving 30-58 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who checked the tires. The technician indicated that the tires had a lot of tread left and if he could live with a little bounce that the tires were fine. The tech indicated replacing the tires if the bounce became much worse. Eventually the bounce became worse and the consumer made an appointment to replace the tire. The day before the schedule appointment the right rear tire tread started separating. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who inspected all the tries and found that two other tires had cords showing on the inside groove. The consumer had all four tires replaced the next day (multi-mile grand am lxe tires, tires manufactured by general tire in 2002 for tbc under the name multi mile).
Intermittent problem: automatic driver seat does not respond when door is closed. Dome light will not go off and doors will not lock even when manually locked. Display shows door open message. When these features do work, there is an approx. 5 second delay. Local ford dealership can't find the problem. Much money spent with no results. What can I do to fix this problem?
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 in the mirror leaked out. The rear view mirror was replaced again. The problem occurred a third time and the mirror was replaced. Although the problem had occurred a fourth time the mirror has not been replaced. Updated 2/21/2006 -
Compare the 1997 Lincoln Continental
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Questions about the 1997 Lincoln Continental
Is the 1997 Lincoln Continental reliable?
Owners have filed 96 complaints about the 1997 Lincoln Continental, 2.9 times a typical Continental model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Lincoln Continental?
Windows, wipers and visibility, with 15 complaints. Next is steering (12).
How many recalls does the 1997 Lincoln Continental have?
1 recall, covering power train.
What year does the Lincoln Continental have the most visibility problems?
The Lincoln Continental model years with the most visibility complaints are 1997 (15 complaints), 1991 (14 complaints) and 2000 (11 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Lincoln Continental get?
Official estimates for the 1997 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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