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1998 Lincoln Continental problems

The most common problem on the 1998 Lincoln Continental is engine and cooling. It has 2.2 times the complaints of a typical Continental model year.

Typical year2.2x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
72
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
140
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
18mpg

The worst 1998 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.

  • Engine
    14
  • Acceleration
    13
  • Electrical
    7
  • Transmission
    7
  • Visibility
    7
  • Body
    5
  • Seat belts
    5
  • Airbags
    4
  • Lights
    4
  • Steering
    3
  • Suspension
    3
  • Tires
    3
  • Brakes
    2
  • Seats
    2
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Lincoln Continental

Stalling 5

Recalls 1

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported February 10, 1998 · 571,800 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The text and/or graphics for the vehicle headlamp aiming instructions provided in the owner guides are not sufficiently clear. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk
If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may be confused by the aiming instructions provided in the owner guides causing the headlamps to be improperly aimed.
Remedy
Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.

Recall number 98V028000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 1998 Lincoln Continental

Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Lincoln Continental 140

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 140 bulletins for the 1998 Lincoln Continental

1998 Lincoln Continental fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.6L 8‑cylFWD152218

What 1998 Lincoln Continental owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 9, 2014 · 109,000 miles · DC

I am one person among many that have been having many problems with the ford front wheel drive transmission. Bought my 98 lincoln continental with 97000 miles on it, at 109000 miles had to pay 2400 to have the transmission pulled and rebuilt. I'm 65 years old and have never even hit the passing gear. At 155000 miles it had to get pulled again. 1500 dollars at thst time. Now with 175000 miles on it the check transmission signal is on again. I did not until now do any code checks or internet search, but I do believe that ford knows they built a bad unit. Looking to find out if there have been any silent recalls or if your department has any information that could help me. My car is in mint condition and runs great except for the transmission. I remember reading that this problem was investigated or going to be looked at. Currently I get a p1744 code off the computer. I hope there is a silent recall or some info you may have that could help me.

Filed Jul 10, 2012 · Visibility · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 lincoln continental. The contact stated that the rearview mirror was defective. The mirror had a day night automatic tinting feature. The seals on the mirror failed and the fluids leaked and covered the mirror. The mirror could not longer be used and was not functional. The contact replaced the mirror himself and the original mirror was taken to dealer. The dealer was unfamiliar with the failure and was unable to diagnose. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue however no assistance was provided to the contact. The current mileage was 104,000. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 5, 2011 · Transmission · 180,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 lincoln continental. The contact stated that the vehicle would lunge forward when the brake pedal was engaged. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 180,000 and the current mileage was 186,000.

Filed Feb 15, 2011 · Visibility · 122,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 lincoln continental. The contact stated that the rear view and driver side mirrors were tinted with an anti-reflection chemical which melted the plastic inside causing the mirrors to look foggy or darker than they were. He believed it was a safety hazard because his visibility was minimal at night. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 122,000.

Filed Jan 12, 2011 · Seat belts · 101,969 miles · MI

The right and left seats belts in the rear of car will no longer retract. I got them unstuck a couple times but it happens again and again. I am afraid because my kids sit back there.

Filed Jan 3, 2011 · Body, Seat belts · DC

1998 lincoln continental. Consumer writes regarding defective rear seat belts *tgw the consumer stated the right and left rear seat belts no longer retract. Also, water entered the front headlights and caused the lens to fogged up.

Filed Dec 22, 2010 · Steering · 129,000 miles · NM

As I was backing the car up the tie rod/steering assembly disengaged (unscrewed) from the rack&pinyon (passenger side) causing loss of steering. The tie rod I stress again unscrewed from the rack. I was fortunate this took place at a slow speed. I feel that if this occurred at highway speeds it could have resulted in a serious or fatal crash. My mechanic replaced the tie rods on both sides with new ones and I have the old part on hand. Looks like the safety pin that holds the tie rod to the rack wore and allowed the tie rod to unscrew its self from the rack.

Filed Mar 5, 2010 · Acceleration · 101,000 miles · CA · fire

Spontaneous fire in engine compartment. Vehicle last driven about 12 hours before, and had been off since that time. During a downpour, and while parked in the driveway, the vehicle ignited shortly after 6am - 02/06/10. Events and remaining evidence closely match those described in the cruise control switch fires for other ford models (including same model-year town cars).

Filed Oct 28, 2009 · Engine · KY

I was driving around 50 MPH when the spark plug blow out of the head of the motor. It caused the piston to smoke and it had a rattle.

Filed Mar 18, 2009 · Electrical, Lights · WI

I keep getting this message. From: [email protected] date: 3/18/2009 4:02:15 pm to: subject: unknown footprints incoming mail error footprints encountered an error processing an incoming mail message. The error code is below. If the error is unclear or if you need help, please contact support. Footprints error: 201 [microsoft][odbc sql server driver][tcp/ip sockets]sql server does not exist or access denied. (sql-08001) [microsoft][odbc sql server driver][tcp/ip sockets]connectionopen (connect()). (sql-01000)(dbd: db_login/sqlconnect err=-1) connection string: dbi:odbc:footprints\ this is what I have been trying to send to:the federal safety [email protected] from: subject:automatic headlight moduale comments: I got a notice of an error on sending you my message. Hope you do not get two. My 98 lincoln continental has no turnsignal lights,no emergency lights etc. It can not be driven safely. We have called the dealership and was told we need an automatic headlight module. However it has been discontinued by ford motor company and there is none available in the united states. I called ford motor company(case id#1556870779) and was told to contact you. Was there no recall on this part? I am certain that I am not the only one that has a problem with this car. I was told to get a part from a junk yard although that too would be expensive since they too know this part is no longer available.. Being female I do not think that is possible. I also think that a company like ford should be responsilbe for providing parts for their cars. Many cars are on the road a lot longer than ten years. I could go on but for now --what am I to do?? From the federal safety agency web site. 98 lincoln has no turnsignal no emergency lights etc.it is unsafe to drive the dealership said it needed an automatic headlight module but no part exists in the us. What now???

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Compare the 1998 Lincoln Continental

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Questions about the 1998 Lincoln Continental

Is the 1998 Lincoln Continental reliable?

Owners have filed 72 complaints about the 1998 Lincoln Continental, 2.2 times a typical Continental model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1998 Lincoln Continental?

Engine and cooling, with 14 complaints. Next is acceleration (13).

How many recalls does the 1998 Lincoln Continental have?

1 recall, covering exterior lighting.

What year does the Lincoln Continental have bad engine?

The Lincoln Continental model years with the most engine complaints are 1994 (87 complaints), 1993 (72 complaints) and 1991 (55 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1998 Lincoln Continental get?

Official estimates for the 1998 Lincoln Continental range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.6L 8-cyl, FWD) gets 15 city and 22 highway.

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