Model year guide

1998 Lincoln Continental

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Lincoln Continental is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 15 on record.

1998 Lincoln Continental — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 Lincoln Continental at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints72
Combined18 mpg
Typical price$1,770

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1998 Lincoln Continental recalls 2

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:pads NHTSA Campaign #16E026000 · 01/04/2016

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.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #98V028000 · 10/02/1998

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 REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

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

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.

1998 Lincoln Continental common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 72 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

1998 Lincoln Continental MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway22 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,550
EPA size classLarge Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume101 cu ft
Cargo volume19 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$10,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

What's a 1998 Lincoln Continental worth?

Low
$550
Typical price
$1,770
High
$3,750

From 10 comparable 1998 Lincoln Continental listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 Lincoln Continental costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,750
Fuel only$22,750
Per mile$0.30

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

Length
208.7 in
Width
73.6 in
Height
55.9 in
Wheelbase
109.1 in
Curb weight
3,869 lb
Front track
63.0 in
Rear track
61.4 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1998 Lincoln Continental. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 124

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 124.

WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT

Bulletin 041601 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2005

GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT

Bulletin 042107 · Power Train · Dec 2004

GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT

Bulletin 04217 · Power Train · Nov 2004

ENGINE MISFIRE OR RUNNING - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIPS. TO INCLUDE VARIOUS 2005 MODELS. * AR THIS ARTICLE 04161 SUPERSEDES TSB 03-14-04.

Bulletin 031404 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2004

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 2004

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457 OR P1442 OR A CHECK FUEL CAP LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DTC P0457 FOR THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM. *TT

Bulletin 03203 · Electrical System · Oct 2003

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT

Bulletin 03181 · Electrical System · Sep 2003

ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING CONDITION WITH COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS MAY BE MORE ACCURATELY DIAGNOSED USING THE OPTIONAL WORLDWIDE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (WDS) COIL ON PLUG (COP) KIT. 2003 SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT

Bulletin 03144 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2003

NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT

Bulletin 03148 · Power Train · Jul 2003

TORQUE 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 2003

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CONTINENTAL. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1998 Lincoln Continental. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Lights And Instruments

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING SYSTEM AND RETROREFLECTIVE DEVICES. THE HEADLIGHT AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. CORRECTION: REVISED OWNER GUIDES WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS.

Transport Canada #1998050 · Mar 1998

Source: 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.

1998 Lincoln Continental trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl 260 hp

1998 Lincoln Continental vehicles on record

1998 Lincoln Continental 1998 Lincoln Continental Base1LNFM97V1WY687130 1998 Lincoln Continental 1998 Lincoln Continental Base1LNFM97V6WY737200 1998 Lincoln Continental 1998 Lincoln Continental Base1LNFM97V3WY700332 1998 Lincoln Continental 1998 Lincoln Continental Base1LNFM97V1WY671851 1998 Lincoln Continental 1998 Lincoln Continental Base1LNFM97V5WY658214 1998 Lincoln Continental 1998 Lincoln Continental Base1LNFM97VXWY740102 1998 Lincoln Continental 1998 Lincoln Continental Base1LNFM97V9WY704501 1998 Lincoln Continental 1998 Lincoln Continental Base1LNFM97V6WY669447 1998 Lincoln Continental 1998 Lincoln Continental Base1LNFM97V6WY663843 1998 Lincoln Continental 1998 Lincoln Continental Base1LNFM97V5WY605321 1998 Lincoln Continental 1998 Lincoln Continental Base1LNFM97V8WY647966 1998 Lincoln Continental 1998 Lincoln Continental Base1LNFM97V2WY737307 1998 Lincoln Continental 1998 Lincoln Continental Base1LNFM97V3WY680938 1998 Lincoln Continental 1998 Lincoln Continental1LNFM97V1WY647548 1998 Lincoln Continental 1998 Lincoln Continental1LNFM97V1WY690643

Other Lincoln Continental model years

2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2002 2001 2000 1999 1997 1996 1995 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988

1998 Lincoln Continental — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Lincoln Continental have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1998 Lincoln Continental. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Lincoln Continental?

Across all 72 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Lincoln Continental get?

The 1998 Lincoln Continental has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (15 city / 22 highway).

How much is a 1998 Lincoln Continental worth?

Comparable 1998 Lincoln Continental listings run roughly $550–$3,750, typically around $1,770 (from 10 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.