MYRModel Year Report

1988 Lincoln Continental

● Typical for this model
1988 Lincoln Continental
RENDERED 2026-09-16T02:52:19.828Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Lincoln Continental Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 2 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1985 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 9 complaints 1988: 89 complaints 1988 1989: 161 complaints 1989 1990: 160 complaints 1991: 206 complaints 1992: 126 complaints 1993: 122 complaints 1993 1994: 191 complaints 1995: 70 complaints 1996: 48 complaints 1997: 96 complaints 1997 1998: 72 complaints 1999: 42 complaints 2000: 63 complaints 2001: 32 complaints 2001 2002: 33 complaints 2017: 75 complaints 2018: 19 complaints 2019: 32 complaints 2019 2020: 7 complaints 2020
1988: 89 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19821
19832
19846
198515
19868
19879
198889
1989161
1990160
1991206
1992126
1993122
1994191
199570
199648
199796
199872
199942
200063
200132
200233
201775
201819
201932
20207

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 51%

51% of complaints: electrical system — 45 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

WIRING HARNESS FIRE. *AW

NHTSA ODI report, 19950504

SERVICE BRAKES 27%

27% of complaints: service brakes — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH FIRE
STRUCTURE 16%

16% of complaints: structure — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frame and members and door.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

K-FRAME HOLDING TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE DROPPED CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSS STEERING CONTROL. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950224

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%

16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

Show complaint excerpts

MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED PRIOR TO AND AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. (92M77) *TW

NHTSA ODI report, 19940901

MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED AFTER RECALL REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI report, 19940707

SUSPENSION 11%

11% of complaints: suspension — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing air suspension system and front.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

FRONT SUSPENSION BOLTS FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURIES. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950130

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19880419 — seat belts

DRIVER AND RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER INBOARD SEAT BELTS MAY BE IMPROPERLY ANCHORED DUE TO LOOSE NUTS THAT COULD BACK OFF.

Remedy: INBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES WILL BE CORRECTED TO PREVENT LOOSENING.

Campaign 88V027000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19880419 — suspension

TWO TORSION SPRINGS ATTACHED TO REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS MAY FRACTURE AND RUB AGAINST A REAR TIRE.

Remedy: INSTALL TORSION SPRING SEATS TO RESTRICT THE SPRINGS FROM CONTACTING THE TIRE IF THEY SHOULD FRACTURE.

Campaign 88V030000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19880722 — power train

TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLES MAY NOT MEET FORDS PULL OUT LOAD SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE SWIVEL TUBE PORTION OF THE CABLE, WHICH COULD ALLOW THE SWIVEL TUBE TO SEPARATE FROM THE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY.

Remedy: REPLACE SHIFT CABLE.

Campaign 88V101000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19880722 — electrical system

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 CI

Remedy: REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH AND MODIFY SWITCH WIRING.

Campaign 88V118000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19880722 — electrical system

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.

Remedy: WRAP WIRING HARNESS WITH HEAT RESISTANT FIBERGLASS TAPE.

Campaign 88V114000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19880906 — PE (closed 19890417)

ABS FAILURE

I 19881220 — PE (closed 19890412)

AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE

I 19890823 — PE (closed 19890915)

PS PUMP PULLEY BREAKS

I 19900928 — EA (closed 19910912)

BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONS

R 19910926 — service brakes, hydraulic

FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY.

Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

Campaign 91V134000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19920204 — PE (closed 19920625)

ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE

I 19920701 — PE (closed 19921130)

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

I 19921130 — EA (closed 19930630)

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

I 19930615 — PE (closed 19940216)

BROKEN TIE RODS

R 19930722 — structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS AND SABLES BUILT FROM 10-14-85 THROUGH 8-19-88, AND LINCOLN CONTINENTALS BUILT FROM 11-4-87 THROUGH 9-30-88 (EXCEPT 1989 - 1991 2.5L TAURUS AND 1989 - 1992 SHO). THE AFFEC

Remedy: INSTALL A CORROSION-RESISTANT REINFORCING PLATE AND A NEW BOLT ON BOTH REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS. THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.

Campaign 93V106000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19940216 — EA (closed 19950227)

BROKEN TIE RODS

I 19950808 — DP (closed 19950830)

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

I 19970829 — RQ (closed 19990216)

REAR LOWER SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY

R 19990118 — structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSE

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

Campaign 98V323000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — fuel system, gasoline

PROCESS USED FOR CONNECTING THE GAS LINES WAS SUBSTANDARD.

Remedy: INSTALL STANDARD GAS LINE COMPRESSION FITTINGS.

Campaign 89V057000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Lincoln Continental — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (45 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (24 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 89V057000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 88V027000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 88V030000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 88V101000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 88V118000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 88V114000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 91V134000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 93V106000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V323000 (structure) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2001 ▲ 2019 ▲ 2002

WORST YEARS

■ 1991 ■ 1994 ■ 1989

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1988 Lincoln Continental reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Lincoln Continental is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Lincoln Continental?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 51% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Lincoln Continental have?

9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-15 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.