1996 Lincoln Continental: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Lincoln Continental: 2 recalls, 48 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #96V009000 · 1996 · 40,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the headlamps shut off while the vehicle is driven, driver visibility would be impaired increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
The fix: Dealers will replace the "autolamp" control module. Owners are instructed to use the manual headlamp switch until the control module can be replaced.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #96V176000 · 1996 · 340,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This condition could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral with the shift lever in the park position.
The 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.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Brakes (hydraulic) Equipment recall #16E026000 · 2016 · 49,635 vehicles
What's wrong: These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury sable, 1995-1999 Ford taurus sho, 1995-2002 Lincoln continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln mark viii vehicles. The brake pad shim May shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.
Why it matters: A damaged or broken brake disc May reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 2 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Suspension (13): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (8): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (7): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (2).
- Steering (6): the most common themes are steering problems (3).
The 1996 Lincoln Continental has 48 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 17 Continental model years for complaints (well below the 82 average). Complaints peaked in 2001 (12 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 96,683 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (70 complaints, 1 recalls), 1997 (96 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1996 Lincoln Continental.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Lincoln Continental have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1996 Lincoln Continental, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1996 Lincoln Continental problems?
Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are suspension (13), visibility (wipers, glass) (8), transmission & drivetrain (7).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Lincoln Continental get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.6 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 Lincoln Continental repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.