MYRModel Year Report

1998 Lincoln Continental

● Typical for this model
1998 Lincoln Continental
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:41:15.591Z

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
72
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

22% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 2 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1985 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 9 complaints 1988: 89 complaints 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 1998: 72 complaints 1998 72 1999: 42 complaints 2000: 63 complaints 2001: 32 complaints 2001 2002: 33 complaints 2017: 75 complaints 2018: 20 complaints 2019: 32 complaints 2019 2020: 7 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1985 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 9 complaints 1987 1988: 89 complaints 1989: 161 complaints 1989 1990: 160 complaints 1991: 206 complaints 1991 1992: 126 complaints 1993: 122 complaints 1993 1994: 191 complaints 1995: 70 complaints 1995 1996: 48 complaints 1997: 96 complaints 1998: 72 complaints 1998 72 1999: 42 complaints 2000: 63 complaints 2001: 32 complaints 2001 2002: 33 complaints 2017: 75 complaints 2017 2018: 20 complaints 2019: 32 complaints 2019 2020: 7 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1985 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 9 complaints 1987 1988: 89 complaints 1989: 161 complaints 1989 1990: 160 complaints 1991: 206 complaints 1991 1992: 126 complaints 1993: 122 complaints 1993 1994: 191 complaints 1995: 70 complaints 1995 1996: 48 complaints 1997: 96 complaints 1997 1998: 72 complaints 1998 72 1999: 42 complaints 1999 2000: 63 complaints 2001: 32 complaints 2001 2002: 33 complaints 2017: 75 complaints 2017 2018: 20 complaints 2019: 32 complaints 2019 2020: 7 complaints

1998: 72 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
201820
201932
20207

Known problem areas

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

Engine and engine cooling

22% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and cooling system.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Carbon monoxide is leaking into car causing consumer sick, dizzy and sleepy.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-10-05

Vehicle speed control

18% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing linkages and accelerator pedal.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Auto accelerates when attempting to stop or when in drive and standing still. I have reported this defect for service and was informed that no defect was found. Problem has occurred on many occasions.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-04

Auto accelerates when attempting to stop, or when in drive and standing still. I have reported this defect to for service and I was informed that no defect was found. Problem has occurred on many occasions.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-03

Power train

10% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While parked on a slight incline, with the engine running, the transmission slipped out of park into reverse.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-10-14

Electrical system

10% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and interior/under dash.

Visibility

8% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing windshield and interior.

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1998-03-23Exterior lighting98V028000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The text and/or graphics for the vehicle headlamp aiming instructions provided in the owner guides are not sufficiently clear. This does not meet the…

    Remedy: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2016-05-26Service brakes, hydraulic16E026000 Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598,...

    Remedy: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Lincoln Continental — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 16 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 13 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 7 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V028000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 16E026000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1998 Lincoln Continental reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Lincoln Continental is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Lincoln Continental?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Lincoln Continental have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.