1996 Lincoln Continental Problems & Complaints

LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT ON DRIVER'S SIDE WENT OUT. *TR

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. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT IS CALLING REGARDING NHTSA 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.*AK

THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SIDE VIEW MIRROR CONTAINED FILM WHICH RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY.*JB

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. *JG

CONSUMER STARTED NOTICING THAT WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THEN TRYING TO CONTINUE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO, OR IT WILL JERK ABOUT A FOOT. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN IN DRIVE TO RESUME. *JG

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

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION AT 30-40 MPH. *TT

HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 96V009000 DUE TO VIN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHEEL PRESURE SENSORS IN TWO TIRES BROKE APART AND DESTROYED TWO TIRE FROM THE INSIDE. I ALSO NEED TO GET PROBLEM CORRECTED IN REMAINING TIERES BUT THE REPAIR SHOP WILL NOT FIX THIS AS IT IS A SAFTY ISSUE AND THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED. MY RTEMAING WHEELS SENSORS COULD COME APART AND DESTROY MY TIRES CAUSING A BLOW OUT.

WHEN HEADLAMPS ARE IN USE RADIO SWITCHES STATIONS WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL IT WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING UNWANTED ACCELERATION. AFTER DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE CONTINUED TO GAIN SPEED, ALSO, AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF, RPMS CONTINUED TO RACE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER DETERMINED THAT THROTTLE CABLE BROKE COMPLETLEY IN HALF.*AK

INSIDE REARVIEW AUTOMATIC DAY/NIGHT MIRROR IN MY 1996 CONTINENTAL HAS STOPPED DIMMING. THERE IS A SPOT APPROXIMATELY IN THE UPPER RIGHT MIDDLE OF THE MIRROR THAT DOES DIM AS IT SHOULD. AS SUCH, WHEN A CAR COMES UP FROM BEHIND (ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAVE BRIGHTS ON), IT BLINDS ME AND DECREASES MY "NIGHT VISION." NOT ONLY IS THIS AN ANNOYANCE, BUT IT IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOT A TSB OR WARRANTY ON IT. IT DOES COST $500.00. I HAVE E-MAILED THE COMPANY THAT MAKES THE MIRROR (DONNELLY CORP.) BUT THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED MY REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REPAIR, WARRANTY OR REPLACEMENT. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT THIS MAY BE A "COMMON" PROBLEM WITH 1996 AND 1997 CONTI.. ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.. *AK

BOTH MIRRORS ARE DISCOLORED AND DISTORTED, PRESENTING A SAFETY HAZARD. *AK

BRAKES PULSATE AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY FADE OUT AND COME BACK IN. CONSUMER HIT BRAKES, AND THEY FADED. ABS LIGHT CAME ON AFTER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE SAME DEALER 4 TIMES. DEALER HAS CHECKED THE CODES, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

POWER WINDOWS/ REAR DEFROSTER AND HORN WERN'T WORKING CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MLP SENSOR WAS REPLACED, HELPED WINDOWS TO GO UP AND DOWN CORRECTLY. HORN STILL DOESN'T WORK. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED MANY SENSORS,TYRING TO FIND A REMEDY. *AK

AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING DASHLIGHTS AND GAUGES STOPPED WORKING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER SHE RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND GAUGES WORKED FINE. VEHICLE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET.*AK

FORF SPEC. SERV. MESSAGE # 08873 STATES DO NOT FIX THIS CONDITION. NO SAFETY DEFEC TMENTIONED. *AK

EVERYTIME CONSUMER STARTS VEHICLE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON FOR ABOUT 7-10 MINUTES DEPENDING HOW COLD WEATHER IS, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. MANUFACTURER SENT OUT SERVICE NOTICE FOR THIS DEFECT, INDICATING THEY WERE AWARE OF DEFECT.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE DELAY IN INSTRUMENT LIGHTING UP WAS UNSAFE. *YH

SUB FRAME BOLTS BROKE CAUSING FAULTY FRONT SUSPENSION. NLM

RACK AND PINION FAILED. NLM

FAN BELT FAILED. NLM

BRAKE PADS AND FRONT ROTORS FAILED. NLM

REAR SHOCKS FAILED. NLM

IGNITION CYLINDER SENSOR WIRE FAILED. NLM

THROTTLE AIR BYPASS FAILED. NLM

HORN ASSEMBLY FAILED. NLM

VALVE BODY PUMP SHAFT AND FILTER. NLM

FRONT SWAY BAR END LINKS AND R/R SWAY BAR END LINKS FAILED. NLM

POWER STEERING GEAR FAILED. NLM

MY CAR WAS FACTORY EQUIPPED WITH A DONNELLY ELECTRONICS ELECTROCHROMIC INSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR. THIS MIRROR DARKENS WHEN IT SENCES THE LIGHT FROM A CAR BEHIND YOU. SINCE 1996 WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW, THIS MIRROR HAS FAILED 4 TIMES. WHEN IT FALES HALF THE MIRROR WILL DARKEN AND THE OTHER HALF WILL NOT. THIS IS EXTREMELY HARD ON THE EYES AT NIGHT, SINCE THE MIRROR HAS NO MANUAL ADJUSTMENT. IT'S PUT UP WITH THAT OR NOTHING. EVERY 1995 AND NEWER LINCOLN CONTINENTAL I HAVE SEEN HAS A BAD MIRROR. MINE HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR TIMES NOW, AND NOW NOT ONLY THIS TIME DID IT DO THE SAME THING AGAIN, IT MADE A POPPING SOUND WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, CRACKED AND THEN BLEW FLUID ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF MY CAR. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH INTO THIS AND THERE ARE 2 COMPANYS THAT MAKE SUCH A MIRROR. HOWEVER, DONNELLY'S ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT FAIL. I HAVE 2 OTHER CAR WITH SUCH MIRROR SYSTEMS AND AFTER 10 YEARS THERE ARE STILL ON THERE ORGINAL MIRRORS. I WOULD THINK THAT IT WOULD BE MY CAR EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT EVERY LINCOLN CONTINENTALL 1995 AND NEWER HAS A BAD MIRROR. 1995 IS WHEN FORD MOTOR CO. SWITCHED FROM THE OTHER BRAND TO DONNELLY CORP. ON THE CONTINENTAL'S ONLY. THIS IS A REAL SAFTEY HAZZARD DRIVING WITH A MIRROR WITH 2 DIFFERENT REFLECTIVE SURFACES, AND NOW WITH THE MIRROR CRACKING AND BLOWING FLUID ALL OVER MY CAR I DO THINK THAT THIS MATTER MUST BE LOOKED INTO. I DO THINK THAT DONNELLY HAS A QUALITY CONTROL ISSUE BUT REFUSES TO ADDRESS IT. I HAVE CONTACTED JULES ROMAN FROM THERE COMPANY AND TOLD HIM OF THIS AND THEY PRETTY MUCH TOLD ME TOUGH LUCK, AND DID NOT FEEL THAT THERE WAS ANY SAFETY CONCERN. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT I AM THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER THE PARTS MANAGER AT MY LOCAL LINCOLN MERCURY DEALER SAYS DIFFERENT. I THINK THAT IF YOU LOOKED AT FORD'S WARRANTY CLAMES ON THESE CARS YOU MIGHT FIND A DIFFERENT STORY. OR BETTER YET PICK 5 OF THESE CARS AT RANDOM, I GARANTEE THAT THE DONNELLY MIRROR WILL BE BAD. I THANK YOU FOR YOU HELP....MIKE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION SYSTEM OF THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THAT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAS ALSO BEEN SUGGESTED TO ME THAT THE ENGINE OF THIS VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF SEAL/GASKET FAILURES. WE VERY MUCH LIKE THIS VEHICLE AND ARE CONSIDERING WHETHER TO TRADE THIS VEHICLE OR PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOME EXPERT HISTORY INFO ON WHICH TO BASE OUR DECISIONS.

VEHICLE LEANED TO THE LEFT DUE TO THE AIR SPRING SYSTEM FAILING. OWNER HAD JUST HAD RACK AND PINION REPLACED. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE AIR SPRING SYSTEM, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS IN SUSPENSION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND DRIVERS/PASSENGERS AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. *AK

NONE

FRONT ALIGNMENT: CONSTANTLY WEARS OUT FRONT TIRES (ON INNER TREAD);HAVE TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR ALIGNMENT ON THREE OCCASIONS, YET PROBLEM PERSISTS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P225/60R16 )

STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD NOISE WHEN A HARD RIGHT TURN WAS MADE. STEERING WAS THEN STIFF FOR A FEW SECONDS. STEERING RACK WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED AFTER VISITING 2 DEALERSHIPS. *AK *ML

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SUDDENLY JUMPED OUT OF PARK AND ROLLED FOWARD INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS NOT IN VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, SAID THAT THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS STANDING, REPAIRS HAVE TO BE MADE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. MINOR DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE CANNOT BE PROPERLY ALIGNED, CAUSING EXCESS FRONT TIRE WEAR.

WHILE STOPPING AT STOP LIGHT THE ENGINE WOULD STALL WITH OUT INDICATIONS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

POWER SEATS FAILED.

SUSPENSION FAILURE.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING OWNER TO LOSE CONTROL WHILE ENTERING ANOTHER LANE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK IN AN ACCIDENT ONE PERSON AND TWO DOGS INJURED. *YH

THE STRUT ON THE SUSPENSION HAS STRESS CRACKS. DEALER DID NOTHING.*AK

WHEN IT RAINS THE POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK IN THE CAR. *AK DEALER REPLACED SERPINTINE BELT.*JB

PROBLEM WITH TRUNK.

CLOCK SPRING BROKE, RESULTING IN STEERING FAILURE. *AK

VEHICLE FAILED TO START.

FRONT STRUT FAILED.

WHEN PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS FULLY EXTENDED THEN RETRACTED BACK TO ORIGINAL POSITION & LOCKS, PERSON CANNOT MOVE UNLESS RELEASING BELT BUCKLE & STARTING OVER. *AK

CONSUMER CALLED TO SET AN APPOINTMENT AT BOB DUSSEAU LINCOLN MERCURY OVER TWO MONTHS AGO, DEALER SAID THAT HE WOULD CALL WHEN THE PARTS CAME IN, NO CALL YET. *AK AT TIME CONSUMER RESPONDED, RECALL REPAIR WAS STILL PENDING. *SLC

FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED .

FILM COVERS THE WINDSHIELD WHENEVER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE USED.

WHEN STOPPED WITH TRANSMISSION IN PARK, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, VEHICLE WILL MOVE BY ITSELF AND WITH ENGINE NOT RUNNING. *SLC