The 1997 Lincoln Continental has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 40,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 109 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the visibility. Last updated July 5, 2026.
THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK.
UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Shortly after start, 200m, engine still cold , I smell smoke,,stopted immediatly passing bridge, smoke still, more intensive. I talk to drivers around to call fire departement. Took only blouse close to me and leave the car. Moke and first fire started right from feed space. No fire in engine…”
“Takata recall. I was driving 35mph going down main road in an office park. Other vehicle failed to yield right of way and came thru stop sign. I had almost zero time to react. I slammed on brakes trying to prepare for impact. We hit. My driver's side front bumper hit his passenger side front. His…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 lincoln continental. The contact started the vehicle and the vehicle lunged forward abnormally, while still in park. The check engine lamp was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the pressure regulator solenoid and the neutral…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 lincoln continental. The contact stated that the transmission failed at 40,000 miles and had to be replace. Also, the contact mentioned that while driving 35 mph the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnose that the engine needed to be replaced.…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 lincoln continental. The contact stated that the transmission failed at 40,000 miles and had to be replace. Also, the contact mentioned that while driving 35 mph the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnose that the engine needed to be replaced.…”
“My car caught on fire under the hood and had to be junked. *tr”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 lincoln continental. The contact noticed the driver side front tire was flat. The vehicle was towed and the mechanic diagnosed the failure as the front coil springs and struts having failed. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 103,388. The vehicle…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 lincoln continental. The contact noticed the driver side front tire was flat. The vehicle was towed and the mechanic diagnosed the failure as the front coil springs and struts having failed. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 103,388. The vehicle…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Lincoln Continental as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.