VehicleVerdict

1993 Lincoln Continental problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 200 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.0 times the median Continental year — the 1993 model ranks #5 of 34 Continental years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 41% of all reports (81 of 200), far ahead of lighting at 17.

200

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

5

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Continental years?

Continental NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted399 complaints1969: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 1 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 2 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 9 complaints1985: 18 complaints1986: 8 complaints1987: 14 complaints1988: 147 complaints1989: 255 complaints1990: 244 complaints1991: 399 complaints1992: 199 complaints1993: 200 complaints1994: 303 complaints1995: 94 complaints1996: 69 complaints1997: 109 complaints1998: 88 complaints1999: 46 complaints2000: 108 complaints2001: 38 complaints2002: 43 complaints2017: 99 complaints2018: 20 complaints2019: 37 complaints2020: 7 complaints
Continental NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Continental years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Lincoln Continental problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine8141%
Lighting179%
Steering147%
Suspension116%
Brakes116%
Visibility & Wipers105%
Electrical System95%
Transmission95%
Speed Control84%
Airbags74%
Body & Structure74%
Other42%
Fuel System42%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)32%
Latches & Locks32%
Tires & Wheels11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 1993 Lincoln Continental have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

98V323000Body & StructureDecember 16, 1998 · 2,697,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.

Consequence

IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

98V009000LightingJanuary 21, 1998 · 506,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.

Consequence

LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.

97V025000Speed ControlFebruary 26, 1997 · 212,700 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.

Consequence

DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.

97V019000EngineFebruary 25, 1997 · 75,200 units

Defect

THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“UNDETECTED LEAKING OIL DRIPPED ONTO STEERING RACK. AS FAMILY PULLED INTO PARKING LOT, THEY NOTICED FLAMES AND BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF VEHICLE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 12, 1997 · fire

“THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT COME BACK ON UNTIL CONSUMER JIGGLES THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE DEALER WAS CALLED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. OWNER WAS TOLD BY MANUFACTURER THAT VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 98V09000 FORD/HEADLIGHT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · November 11, 1998

“VEHICLE WAS PARKED AFTER A STEERING FAILURE AND SMOKE WAS POURING FROM THE HOOD. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS A TOTAL LOST.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 13, 1999 · fire

“TWO OF THE THREE TIMES THE AIR RIDE UNITS EXPLODED THE RESULTING REPORT WAS SIMILAR TO THAT OF A HIGH POWERED RIFLE, STARTLING MYSELF AND THOSE WITHIN HUNDREDS OF YARDS. ALSO THE CAR'S HANDLING WAS SERVERLY IMPAIRED. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELLING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · February 25, 2001

“DRIVING VEHICLE; VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED SUDDENLY; PANIC STOP (ABS BRAKES); BOTH AIR BAGS POPPED OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON; VISIBILITY OBSCURED. TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKES DUE TO REFLECTIONS AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 13, 1997 · crash

1993 Lincoln Continental — common questions

Is the 1993 Lincoln Continental reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 200 complaints put the 1993 model at #5 of 34 Continental years. It is one of the Continental years to avoid.

What are the most common 1993 Continental problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (81 complaints), lighting (17 complaints), steering (14 complaints).

Does the 1993 Lincoln Continental have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Lincoln Continental. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1993 Lincoln Continental under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Lincoln Continental years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Continental years to avoid are 1991, 1994, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1992, 1988, 1997, 2000, 2017, 1995, 1998, 1996, 1999, 2002. The cleanest record among Continental years belongs to 1980.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.