1996 Lincoln Continental
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Lincoln Continental is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.
1996 Lincoln Continental at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1996 Lincoln Continental recalls 3
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, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are inten…
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE "AUTOLAMP" CONTROL MODULE. OWNERS ARE INSTRUCTED TO USE THE MANUAL HEADLAMP SWITCH UNTIL THE CONTROL MODULE CAN BE REPLACED.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1996 Lincoln Continental common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1996 Lincoln Continental MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1996 Lincoln Continental costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1996 Lincoln Continental. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
Manufacturer service bulletins 70
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 70.
GROAN/BUZZ/VIBRATION WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR IS IN PARK WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED ON AN INCLINE. *TT THIS BULLETIN UPDATES PREVIOUS BULLETIN 17358, DATED 11/01/2003 TO INCLUDE 2005 MODELS. *TT
Bulletin 17358 · Power Train · Aug 2004REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT
Bulletin 03181 · Electrical System · Sep 2003NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT
Bulletin 03148 · Power Train · Jul 2003TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH NOT ENGAGING WHEN COMMANDED AND/OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0741 OR P1744 STORED IN MEMORY. MODELS FROM 1996 TO 2003. *TT
Bulletin 03123 · Power Train · Jun 2003CLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH
Bulletin 02208 · Equipment · Oct 2002LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ
Bulletin 02176 · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2002TRANSFER SERVICE TIPS FOR THE FRONT WIPER MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET AND DEPRESSED PARK OUTPUT ARM. *TT
Bulletin 02107 · Visibility · May 2002SOME ENGINE ASSEMBLIES WITH ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS REPAIRED IN-VEHILE HAVE BEEN FOUND TO LEAK COOLANT AND/OR OIL FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AREA. *TT
Bulletin 0214 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2002ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT
Bulletin 01246 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2001SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A GROAN/BUZZ/VIBRATION WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR IS IN PARK. *TT
Bulletin 15370 · Power Train · Nov 2001Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CONTINENTAL. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1996 Lincoln Continental. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Powertrain
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK MECHANISM MAY NOT PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING EVEN IF THE TRANSAXLE SHIFT LEVER IS FIRMLY PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION. IF THE DRIVER IS UNAWARE THAT THE PARK MECHANISM OF THE TRANSAXLE HAS NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED AND LEAVES THE VEHICLE UNATTENDED WITHOUT SETTING THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD BE FREE TO ROLL AS IF IN NEUTRAL. THIS COULD RE…
Transport Canada #1996148 · Sep 1996Lights And Instruments
A DEFECT IN THE AUTOLAMP SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS, INCLUDING THE HEADLIGHTS, TO SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THIS WOULD ONLY OCCUR WHILE THE AUTOLAMP FEATURE IS BEING USED. IF THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF BECAUSE OF AUTOLAMP MALFUNCTION, THE DRIVER CAN TURN THEM BACK ON BY MANUALLY ROTATING THE HEADLAMP SWITCH TO THE "ON" POSITION. CORRECTION: LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE WILL B…
Transport Canada #1996019 · Jan 1996Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Lincoln Continental
The Lincoln Continental is a series of mid-sized and full-sized luxury cars produced between 1939 and 2020 by Lincoln, a division of the American automaker Ford. The model line was introduced following the construction of a personal vehicle for Edsel Ford, who commissioned a coachbuilt 1939 Lincoln-Zephyr convertible, developed as a vacation vehicle to attract potential Lincoln buyers. In what would give the model line its name, the exterior was designed with European "continental" styling elements, including a rear-mounted spare tire.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.