Selling a dead or tired Lincoln Continental

If yours is done, sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

The generations in this data

Generation years are from Wikipedia. Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, counted October 10, 2026, not findings that a part was defective.

1988-1994: engines, rust and belts

Engine and cooling. It is the top complaint on every year from 1990 to 1994: 33, 41, 37, 62 and 73. That is 246 of the model's 309 engine and cooling complaints. Recall 97V019000 put a jumper harness with an automatic circuit breaker on the fan motor's low-speed wiring of 1992-1994 cars in Alaska, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and the Dakotas. Its 75,200 vehicles include the Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz.

Rust underneath. Three recalls deal with corrosion. 91V134000 replaced front brake rotors on 1988-1991 cars driven where road salt is used heavily. 93V106000 reinforced the rear subframe mounts on 1988 Continentals built from November 4, 1987 to September 30, 1988, in a campaign that was mostly Taurus and Sable. 98V323000 added subframe rear mount bolts and plates on 1988-1994 cars in salt states. The 1988 has 11 body structure complaints.

Seat belts. Owners filed 39 seat belt complaints on the 1989 and 25 on the 1990. Recall 97V174000 replaced front buckles on 1989-1990 cars that might not latch or unlatch.

Lights and cruise control. Recall 98V009000 says the headlights on 1993-1994 cars can flash off for short spells when a circuit breaker opens. The 1993 has 14 exterior lighting complaints. Recall 97V025000 added a boot to the speed control cable on 1991-1994 cars with the 3.8-liter engine in cold-weather states.

Fire shows up here too. Owners marked 63 complaints on the 1988 through 1991 models as involving a fire.

1995-2002: transmissions in Park, lights, air bags

This run has 456 complaints. Two recalls concern the automatic transmission's park pawl. On the 1996 (96V176000) the pawl shaft might not turn freely, so the car could fail to lock in Park. On the 1997 (96V166000) a sharp bracket edge could hang the pawl up, letting the car move while the shifter shows Park.

Recall 96V009000 replaced the autolamp module on 1995-1996 cars because the headlights could shut off without warning. Recall 03V144000 recalibrated air bag sensors on 1999-2000 cars after bags deployed from underbody hits, such as gravel thrown up by the wheels. Suspension is the top complaint on the 1996, 1999 and 2001.

2017-2020: the last Continentals

These four years have 135 complaints, and a car built in 2020 has had only a handful of years for owners to report on. The 2017 leads with 17 body structure complaints and 15 about latches and locks. Two camera recalls apply: 22V644000 replaced the camera on 2017-2020 cars with the 360-degree system, a campaign of 277,040 shared with Ford Super Duty pickups, and 25V442000 updated rearview camera software on 2019-2020 cars across many Ford and Lincoln models.

Year-by-year complaints and recalls

A Ford campaign often spans several Continental years and is listed under each, so the recall figures overlap.

Fix it or let it go?

1. On a 1988-1994 car from a salt state, look under it at the rear subframe mounts and ask a Lincoln dealer whether recalls 93V106000 and 98V323000 were done. Our rotted frame guide helps if the rust is past saving.
2. Overheating or a coolant leak? See head gasket or overheating before you pay for a teardown.
3. Check open recalls with the VIN at NHTSA.
4. Weigh the quote against what a running Continental of the same year brings. If they're close, read repairs cost more than it's worth.

Selling the whole car

1. Note the year, VIN and mileage, and whether it rolls and steers. A car that has sat outside for years may have flat tires; say so.
2. Describe the spot: garage, barn, driveway or side street, and whether anything blocks the way out.
3. Leave every part on, trim and wheels included. If anything has already come off, mention it.
4. Get an offer online or call (877) 421-6008. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
5. Locate the title. A missing one isn't the end; begin with selling with no title. After the sale, after you sell covers plates and insurance.

More Lincolns: the Town Car, Mark VIII, LS, or the full Lincoln list.