With 3 recalls and 409 complaints, the 1994 Lincoln Continental rates as high on the safety concern scale. Always run the VIN through NHTSA's lookup tool before signing.

Recalls

409

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

97V0250001997-26-02

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.

DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

View at NHTSA

97V0190001997-25-02

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

View at NHTSA

98V3230001998-16-12

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.

IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 1994 Lincoln Continental's biggest weak point? EXTERIOR LIGHTING. It leads 409 total complaints spanning 1 years. Budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially in that area.

01Exterior Lighting146

02Engine And Engine Cooling68

03Suspension28

04Vehicle Speed Control20

05Power Train19

409 total across 1 model years (1994–1994)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Lincoln Continental Fuel Economy

19mpg combined

16city

24hwy

$3,250/yr

The 1994 Lincoln Continental delivers 19 MPG combined. Straightforward efficiency.

Continental - Automatic 4-spd

19mpg

3.8L 6-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

16 city24 hwy~$3,250/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 1994 Lincoln Continental

35States

35%in top 3

The biggest cluster of inventory is in Texas (13%), but the remaining listings are spread across 34 other states nationwide.

TXTexas

1813%

MIMichigan

1612%

ILIllinois

1310%

FLFlorida

97%

PAPennsylvania

86%

GAGeorgia

54%

OKOklahoma

54%

CACalifornia

54%

DEDelaware

43%

INIndiana

43%

COColorado

43%

ARArkansas

32%

RIRhode Island

32%

AZArizona

32%

OHOhio

32%

MOMissouri

32%

MD2

ME2

MN2

NE2

NV2

WI2

OROregon

21%

DCWashington DC

21%

NCNorth Carolina

21%

TN2

MA1

MS1

VA1

NH1

NJ1

WA1

NY1

WV1

KY1

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 1994.

Buying a 1994 Lincoln Continental?

Answers to common buyer questions

Is the 1994 Lincoln Continental a good car to buy?

The 1994 Lincoln Continental has its strengths and its watch-outs. 3 recalls have been issued, so verify completion with the dealer. Owners report exterior lighting as the area to watch most closely. Check the safety section for recall details and the pricing data to see if the numbers work for you.

Are there recalls on the 1994 Lincoln Continental?

There are 3 documented recalls for the 1994 Lincoln Continental. Don't let that scare you; most are routine. Just make sure they're all resolved before you sign. Details in the safety overview.

What's the gas mileage of the 1994 Lincoln Continental?

The 1994 Lincoln Continental is EPA-rated at 19 MPG combined, consistent regardless of trim. See the fuel economy breakdown for city and highway splits.

What are common problems with the 1994 Lincoln Continental?

Out of 409 owner complaints, exterior lighting issues lead the pack. Get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically covers this area. The known issues breakdown has all the details.