MYRModel Year Report

1998 Lincoln Continental

● Typical for this model
1998 Lincoln Continental
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:48:37.894Z

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, 1998 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 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 1998 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
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
201819
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%

22% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and cooling system.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

CARBON MONOXIDE IS LEAKING INTO CAR CAUSING CONSUMER SICK, DIZZY AND SLEEPY.

NHTSA ODI report, 19981005

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 18%

18% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing linkages and accelerator pedal.

CRASH FIRE
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, 20030604

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, 20030603

POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20041014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and interior/under dash.

VISIBILITY 8%

8% of complaints: visibility — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing windshield and interior.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19980323 — exterior lighting

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 REQUIR

Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

Campaign 98V028000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160526 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 16E026000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Lincoln Continental — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V028000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16E026000 (service brakes, hydraulic) 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 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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.