Complaints
109
Crashes
5
Fires
3
Injuries
5
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Lincoln Continental Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#111 complaints
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Interior
Avg mileage:56,675 mi
#26 complaints
Tire Defects
Crash-related:1
#36 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Lincoln Continental.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Interior | 11 | — | — | 56,675 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 5 | — | — | 106,000 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 5 | — | — | 89,428 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 | — | — | 55,100 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control:Automatic (Asc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — |
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Interior
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
56,675
Tire Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
106,000
Automatic Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
89,428
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
55,100
Suspension:Front
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Rack And Pinion
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electronic Stability Control:Automatic (Asc)
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Lincoln Continental. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Lincoln Continental Years
1997 Lincoln Continental — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Lincoln Continental reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1997 Lincoln Continental has 109 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Interior with 11 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Lincoln Continental?
Top reported problems: Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Interior (11 complaints, avg 56,675 mi); Tire Defects (6 complaints); Unintended Acceleration (6 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Lincoln Continental?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 72,156 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Lincoln Continental?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Lincoln Continental include 5 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Lincoln Continental have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Lincoln Continental as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Lincoln Continental?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Lincoln Continental reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Lincoln Continental
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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