The 1996 Lincoln Continental has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 380,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 69 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN96V1760001996-09-18340,000 affected
Defect
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL SHAFT MAY NOT BE FREE TO ROTATE AS INTENDED. IF THE PARK PAWL SHAFT DOES NOT ROTATE, IT WOULD PREVENT THE PARK PAWL FROM ENGAGING THE PARK GEAR WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS IN THE PARK POSITION.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROTATION AND THOSE SHAFTS WITH RESTRICTED ROTATION WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHORTER SHAFT THAT WILL NOT RESTRICT ROTATION.
A DEFECTIVE CONTROL MODULE IN THE "AUTOLAMP" SYSTEM CAN MALFUNCTION. IF THE "AUTOLAMP" SYSTEM IS BEING USED TO ACTIVATE THE EXTERIOR LIGHT (INCLUDING HEADLAMPS), THE HEADLAMPS COULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THIS WILL NOT OCCUR IF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING IS TURNED ON MANUALLY BY THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.
Consequence
IF THE HEADLAMPS SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE IMPAIRED INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE "AUTOLAMP" CONTROL MODULE. OWNERS ARE INSTRUCTED TO USE THE MANUAL HEADLAMP SWITCH UNTIL THE CONTROL MODULE CAN BE REPLACED.
Complaints by component
SUSPENSION:FRONT
5
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
3
SUSPENSION
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
2
1crashes
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
2
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
2
Total complaints69
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* - the contact is calling regarding nhtsa campaign id number: 06t023000. The contact states that he took his tires to pep boys they refuse to provide him with free tires and told him he would have to pay for the tires at a pro-rated rate. The contact feels that due to the recall he should have…”
“Automobile dimming rearview mirror is not clear,melting effect.*ak”
“Defective air suspension system in lincoln continental results in extremely unstable and unsafe driving. Blown air bag while driving vehicle resulted in rear end crashing down and leaving car inoperable. Faulty compressor leaves the car 12 inches difference between left and right and front and…”
“While traveling on the highway the air suspension went out the vehicle air shocks and the vehicle in unable to steer. The dealership is aware of the problem. Mr”
“Headlights and instrument panel lights went out while driving at night without warning. Dealer and the manufacturer have been notified, and informed that this vehicle was not covered under recall 96v009000 due to vin. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 lincoln continental. The contact stated that the air suspension system is defective. The vehicle rests 12 inches higher on one side than the other, from the front end to the rear. As a result, the headlights illuminate upwards towards the sky or downwards into the…”
“I have contacted lincoln about the paint and mirrors and they will not do anything about it. The mirror is on the driver's side is discolored and distored. I have to take the car to an autobody shop per dealer and was told that it was a defected paint job from the lincoln. They will not do…”
“I have contacted lincoln about the paint and mirrors and they will not do anything about it. The mirror is on the driver's side is discolored and distored. I have to take the car to an autobody shop per dealer and was told that it was a defected paint job from the lincoln. They will not do…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Lincoln Continental as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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