Transmission failure while driving into work on interstate highway. Total rebuild required at 87456 miles on car, cost $1800.
Lincoln Continental transmission failure problems
25 of the 1,387 owner complaints about the Lincoln Continental describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 1991 model year.
- owner complaints
- 25
- worst model year
- 1991
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
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.
Security flashes rapidly which prevents the ignition from starting. It rolls ok but will not crank up to run. This problem started almost a year ago, but after a little wait it would finally crank. In the past two months we have driven the car about 4 times because of this problem. On mar , 2008 we were left stranded in biloxi, ms requiring a tow to the easterbrook dealership from where the automobile was purchased in 2004. At times the security light would flash normally, and on those times we could drive anywhere we liked without worry. From our progressive drive insurance webpage I ran across a nhta item # 619266 covering this complaint in 1998 lincoln continentals which was a technical bulletin. We had never even heard of or received a notice of this. I feel the manufacturer should be responsible for the $369.00 repair of this vehicle not even speaking of the pain and worry it has caused and missed doctor's appointments and such. Our first incident was in 2006 when, at our expense, we also had to replace the transmission, when it failed on interstate 63, leaving us stranded, having to be towed, and without a vehicle for over a week.
The vehicle's transmission failed without warning. The dealer stated that an internal break of metal in the transmission had occurred. *nm
While driving 55 MPH the transmission suddenly slipped out of gear and the vehicle coasted to a stop. The previous transmission was replaced for same problem. This is the second transmission that popped out of gear around 30,000 miles. The mechanic indicated that this problem will happen again but do not know cause of the problem. Vehicle brought from carmax. *nlm....
The cruise control was engaged, the driver had just touched the resume button when the motor made a wild revving and racing noise, and with that, all the gears were gone. It was as if the vehicle was in neutral. The vehicle was towed to the nearest ford dealer who couldn't see vehicle for at least a week. Consumer considered this to be a transmission failure. *ak
The first transmission failed at 55000 miles and was covered under warranty. The second transmission is failing and needs to be replaced. The second transmission only has 35000 miles. Both transmissions failed long before they should need replacing. I feel that there is something wrong with the car that is causing the transmissions to fail. I shouldnt have to pay for poor manufacturing, defective replacement parts or incompetent work.
Since march 1996 has had ball joints replaced 6 times. First time at 6000 miles . Both front/ left rear, first 5 under warranty. Consumer believed this to be a design problem. *ak transmission blew up twice.
Survey of ford dealers and local repair shops indicate head gasket and transmission failure very common with 4.8l, v-6 engines in 1991 through 1997 continental, tarus and sable. Ford refuses to assist or accept responsibility for failures exept 1994 recall on engine head gasket.
Transmission failed.
Related recalls
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
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
Questions about the Lincoln Continental transmission failure
Which Lincoln Continental years have complete transmission failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1991 (9 complaints), 1994 (5 complaints) and 1997 (5 complaints).
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