The 1988 Lincoln Continental has 47 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 32% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
47
Electrical System complaints
32%
Share of year
0
Crash-involved
2
Related recalls
Defect
ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT CONTROLS CURRENT TO BRAKE PUMP MOTOR RELAY, HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER MOTOR, TURN SIGNALS, AND A ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER MAY OVERHEAT DUE TO INABILITY OF IGNITION CIRCUIT WIRING CONNECTIONS TO DISSIPATE HEAT GENERATED BY ELECTRICAL LOADS.
Consequence
BRAKE PUMP MOTOR WILL NOT OPERATE, SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCINGBRAKING CAPABILITY; BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON.
Remedy
REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH AND MODIFY SWITCH WIRING.
Defect
NYLON SHIELDED WIRING HARNESS, LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO HEAT DAMAGE AND MELTING OF THE NYLON MATERIAL IN 100 DEGREE PLUS WEATHER.
Consequence
MELTED NYLON SHIELD COULD DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDAND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
WRAP WIRING HARNESS WITH HEAT RESISTANT FIBERGLASS TAPE.
“WHEN TURNING OFF IGNITION CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. PROBLEM MIGHT BE LINKED TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSED A FIRE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK”
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the 1988 Lincoln Continental electrical system — 32% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the electrical system: 88V114000, 88V118000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.