1988 Lincoln Continental
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 2 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1985 | 15 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1987 | 9 |
| 1988 | 84 |
| 1989 | 158 |
| 1990 | 158 |
| 1991 | 203 |
| 1992 | 126 |
| 1993 | 121 |
| 1994 | 190 |
| 1995 | 70 |
| 1996 | 48 |
| 1997 | 96 |
| 1998 | 72 |
| 1999 | 42 |
| 2000 | 63 |
| 2001 | 32 |
| 2002 | 33 |
| 2017 | 74 |
| 2018 | 18 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2020 | 7 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
17% of complaints: electrical system — 14 distinct reports on file.
FIRE13% of complaints: structure — 11 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
K-FRAME HOLDING TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE DROPPED CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSS STEERING CONTROL. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19950224
10% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 8 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE10% of complaints: electrical system — 8 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 6 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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
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
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
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
ABS FAILURE
AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE
PS PUMP PULLEY BREAKS
BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONS
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
ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE
SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL
SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL
BROKEN TIE RODS
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
BROKEN TIE RODS
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS
REAR LOWER SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY
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
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 (14 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (8 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.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
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:ignition:switch, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 Lincoln Continental have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.