Engine
3.8L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 115 of 158 complaints with a usable failure date.
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Seat belts
44 complaint records
"VEHICLE IS INCLUDED UNDER RECALL 97V174, SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE DEALER HAS NOT ORDERED PARTS TO REPAIR THE RECALL. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse seat belts parts in the directory →
Electrical system
33 complaint records7 fire reports
"LOSS OF POWER BRAKES AND STEERING OCCURS WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE, DUE TO FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. MJS..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
31 complaint records6 fire reports
"WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD VEHICLE OVERHEATED. PULLED OVER ,AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA95033 opened Oct 1995 | closed Oct 1997 | Seat Belts | FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLES - led to recall 97V174000 COMPLAINTS ALLEGE AN INABILITY TO LATCH SEAT BELT BUCKLES, AND INADVERTENT UNLATCHING OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. |
| DP95004 opened Aug 1995 | closed Aug 1995 | Unknown Or Other | ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS |
| EA94008 opened Feb 1994 | closed Feb 1995 | Steering | BROKEN TIE RODS There is no summary currently available |
| PE93058 opened Jun 1993 | closed Feb 1994 | Steering | BROKEN TIE RODS There is no summary currently available |
| EA92040 opened Nov 1992 | closed Jun 1993 | Structure | SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL - led to recall 93V106002 There is no summary currently available |
Show 3 more closed investigations
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE92056 opened Jul 1992 | closed Nov 1992 | Structure | SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL There is no summary currently available |
| PE92014 opened Feb 1992 | closed Jun 1992 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE There is no summary currently available |
| PE89026 opened Dec 1988 | closed Apr 1989 | Suspension | AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE There is no summary currently available |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 98V323000 | Structure | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN,... | Normally free |
| 97V174000 | Seat Belts | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEATING POSITION SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH. | Normally free |
| 91V134000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY. | Normally free |
| 89V048000 | Seat Belts | THE LEFT SIDE, REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY BE IMPROPERLY SECURED AND COULD PULL FREE OF ITS MOUNTING LOCATION. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997192 1997-11-10 | Seats And Restraints | 1,808 | THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEATING POSITION SEAT BELT BUCKLES ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH. THESE CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE BELT USAGE. |
| 1992166 1992-12-30 | Structure | 157,101 | On certain vehicles with 3.0 Litre and 3.8 Litre engines, the body mounts on the rear corners of the subframe which supports the engine and transmission may become detached due to corrosion of the rear lower mount retaining plates,... |
| 1992099 1992-08-21 | Emissions | 16,233 | NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8 LITRE ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S 1105 - EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS. CORRECTION: PURGE VALVE AND HOSE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. |
| 1992039 1992-04-06 | Brakes | 4,476 | NOTE: VEHICLES LOCATED IN ONTARIO, QUEBEC, NEW BRUNSWICK, NOVA SCOTIA PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND AND NEWFOUNDLAND. THE COMPOSITE CONSTRUCTION FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ON THESE VEHCIES MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN AND FRACTURE, RESULTING IN A REDUCTION OF... |
| 1989128 1989-09-26 | Suspension | 206 | THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REGULATION 6 - STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE AND C.M.V.S.S. 110 - TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS. VEHICLE TIRE CAPACITY MAY BE EXCEEDED. |
Show 1 more Canadian recalls
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989039 1989-03-28 | Seats And Restraints | 49 | THE LEFT SIDE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY BE IMPROPERLY SECURED. IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR VEHICLE CRASH, THE PASSENGER USING THIS SEAT MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01156 Aug 2001 | Visibility | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC | |
| 01157 Aug 2001 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC | |
| 0015 Jan 2000 | Power Train | INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS | |
| 99222 Oct 1999 | Electrical System | SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT | |
| 99196 Sep 1999 | Equipment | INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT |
Show 39 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99152 Jul 1999 | Power Train | INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT | |
| 99816 May 1999 | Engine And Engine Cooling | FORD MOTOR COMPANY NOW RECOMMENDS SAE 5W-30 VISCOSITY GRADE FOR SERVICING ANY FORD GASOLINE-POWERED VEHICLE REGARDLESS OF MODEL YEAR. *TT | |
| 98246 Dec 1998 | Electrical System | FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC | |
| 12178 Nov 1998 | Power Train | INFORMATION REGARDING TSB 98-5A-12 (TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION/TRANSFER CASE-VEHICLES TOWED BEHIND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES-RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES) DOES NOT LIST TOWING INFORMATION FOR CERTAIN MODEL VEHICLES. *MJS | |
| 9888 Apr 1998 | Power Train | INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC | |
| 9874 Apr 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC | |
| 982675 Apr 1998 | Power Train | A REVISED FORWARD CLUTCH INNER SEAL FOR THE AXOD, AXODE, AX4S & AX4N TRANSAXLE IS AVAILABLE WITH IMPROVED SEALING AND REDUCED CHANCE OF THE SEAL ROLLING DURING INSTALLATION. *YC | |
| 9864 Mar 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 985A13 Mar 1998 | Service Brakes | THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC | |
| 985A6 Mar 1998 | Service Brakes | SOME VEHICLES MAY CYCLE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON ROUGH ROADS OR ON AN INCLINE WHILE MAKING A SHARP TURN. *YC | |
| 9848 Mar 1998 | Equipment | ANNOUNCING THE FORD OEM AIR CONDITIONING RETROFIT KIT AVAILABILITY. *YC | |
| 9849 Mar 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CONCERNS WITH COOLANT MAY LEAK FROM THE HEAD GASKETS AND / OR THE VEHICLE MAY OVERHEAT. *YC | |
| 9811329 Feb 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INFORMATION REGARDING THE THE AVAILABILITY OF THE REVISED HEADGASKET FOR COOLANT LOSS CONDITIONS ON SOME ENGINES. *TT | |
| 97111097234 Nov 1997 | Electrical System | VEHICLES EXHIBITING A "SQUEAKING" OR "CHIRPING" FROM THE BLOWER MOTOR AT LOW BLOWER MOTOR SPEEDS. *YC | |
| 97610 Mar 1997 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BLOWER MOTOR- "CHIRPING" OR "SQUEAKING" FROM BLOWER MOTOR AT LOW SPEEDS. *JD | |
| 97511 Mar 1997 | Power Train | FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD | |
| 9743 Feb 1997 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BLOWER MOTOR- "CHIRP" OR "SQUEAK" FROM BLOWER MOTOR AT LOW SPEEDS. *JD | |
| BC3503972301 Jan 1997 | Service Brakes | THE ABS/RED BRAKE/AIR SUSPENSION LAMPS COMING ON, CHECK FOR A BAD GROUND ON CIRCUIT 430. *JD | |
| BC1018497230 Jan 1997 | Service Brakes | THE ABS/RED BRAKE/AIR SUSPENSION LAMPS COMING ON, CHECK FOR A BAD GROUND ON CIRCUIT 430. *JD | |
| BC101209702 Jan 1997 | Power Train | VERIFY THE TRANSAXLE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE IS THE CORRECT MODEL AND MODEL YEAR FOR THE VEHICLE. *JD | |
| 9716 Jan 1997 | Steering | SOME POWER STEERING HOSES HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN AND SHOULD NO LONGER BE USED FOR SERVICE. *JD | |
| 962612 Dec 1996 | Power Train | TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW | |
| 96246 Nov 1996 | Electrical System | WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW | |
| 96249 Nov 1996 | Power Train | TORQUE CONVERTER - LEAK TEST PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TW | |
| 96221 Oct 1996 | Visibility | WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW | |
| 95212 Oct 1995 | Service Brakes | THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IT MAY BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE RUBBER MATERIAL USED IN THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM. | |
| 95191 Sep 1995 | Steering | THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MAY HAVE A 'GRUNT' AND/OR 'GROAN' NOISE. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY HYDRAULIC FLUID MOVEMENT WITHIN THE POWER STEERING RACK. | |
| 95165 Aug 1995 | Suspension | SUSPENSION-REAR-AVAILABILITY OF CAMBER KIT TO IMPROVE INNER EDGE WEAR ON REAR REAR TIRES. TIRES-REAR-INNER EDGE WEAR-AVAILABILITY OF CAMBER KIT TO IMPROVE WEAR. *SD | |
| 95157 Jul 1995 | Power Train | THE TORQUE CONVERTER IDENTIFICATION CODES HAVE BEEN REVISED AS OF 3/1/95. *SD | |
| 9592 May 1995 | Visibility | UNKNOWN | |
| 9582 Apr 1995 | Visibility | A REVISED SERVICE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS NOW AVAILABLE. *TW | |
| 95511 Mar 1995 | Visibility | CHIRP OR SQUEAK FROM BLOWER MOTOR. *TW | |
| 9562 Mar 1995 | Service Brakes | ROUGHNESS CONCERN DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. *TW | |
| 9566 Mar 1995 | Visibility | CHIRP OR SQUEAK NOISE FROM BLOWER MOTOR AT LOW SPEEDS. *TW | |
| 9534 Feb 1995 | Suspension | RATTLING OR CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE FRON SUSPENSION. *TW | |
| 9546 Feb 1995 | Visibility | REVISED WIPER MOTOR. *TW | |
| BC0270950103 Jan 1995 | Power Train | SOME AXOD CHAIN COVERS WERE OVERDRILLED IN THE OVERDRIVE SERVO APPLY CIRCUIT, CAUSING THE OVERDRIVE BAND TO BE APPLIED AT ALL TIMES. *TW | |
| 9523 Jan 1995 | Fuel System | ERRATIC DISTANCE-TO-EMPTY AND FUEL GAUGE READINGS. *TW | |
| 94247 Nov 1994 | Power Train | THE FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON MAY CRACK ON ITS OUTSIDE DIAMETER. *TW |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Pull and release every belt.A belt that retracts slowly or a buckle that will not latch matches this vehicle's seat-belt cluster.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 4 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Lincoln Continental →