MYRModel Year Report

1994 Lincoln Continental

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1994 Lincoln Continental
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:43:42.528Z

This year had more than double the complaints 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, 1994 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 1 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 2 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 15 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 9 complaints 1988: 84 complaints 1988 1989: 158 complaints 1990: 158 complaints 1991: 203 complaints 1992: 126 complaints 1992 1993: 121 complaints 1994: 190 complaints 1994 1995: 70 complaints 1996: 48 complaints 1996 1997: 96 complaints 1998: 72 complaints 1999: 42 complaints 2000: 63 complaints 2000 2001: 32 complaints 2002: 33 complaints 2017: 74 complaints 2018: 18 complaints 2018 2019: 31 complaints 2020: 7 complaints 2020
1994: 190 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19821
19832
19846
198515
19868
19879
198884
1989158
1990158
1991203
1992126
1993121
1994190
199570
199648
199796
199872
199942
200063
200132
200233
201774
201818
201931
20207

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 30%

30% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 57 distinct reports on file.

DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

AFTER CAR INSPECTED AND SEVERAL REPAIRS COMPLETED ON MY 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL, EXECUTIVE SERIES IN GOOD CONDITION, THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND THE DEALERSHIP STATED TO TRADE-IN THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030718

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 18 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 6%

6% of complaints: power train — 11 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
STRUCTURE 5%

5% of complaints: structure — 9 distinct reports on file.

EQUIPMENT 5%

5% of complaints: equipment — 9 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1994 — complaint volume: 190
R 19940819 — service brakes, hydraulic

THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD RETAINER (HAIRPIN CLIP) MAY BE MISSING OR NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED ON THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAN CAUSE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKE PUSHROD AND LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RETAINER.

Campaign 94V129000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19960502 — PE (closed 19960930)

ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES

I 19960930 — EA (closed 19970415)

ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES

R 19970331 — engine and engine cooling

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

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

Campaign 97V019000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19970423 — vehicle speed control

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.

Campaign 97V025000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19980415 — exterior lighting

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.

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.

Campaign 98V009000 — check if this car was fixed

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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1994 Lincoln Continental — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (57 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 94V129000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V019000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V025000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V009000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V323000 (structure) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2019 ▲ 2001 ▲ 2002

WORST YEARS

■ 1991 ■ 1989 ■ 1990

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1994 Lincoln Continental reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Lincoln Continental is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1994 Lincoln Continental?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:engine, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1994 Lincoln Continental have?

5 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.