Model year guide

1997 Lincoln Continental

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Lincoln Continental is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.

1997 Lincoln Continental — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1997 Lincoln Continental at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints99
Combined18 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1997 Lincoln Continental recalls 2

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:pads NHTSA Campaign #16E026000 · 01/04/2016

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are inten…

Fix: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl) NHTSA Campaign #96V166000 · 05/09/1996

THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1997 Lincoln Continental common problems

Owners have filed 99 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

1997 Lincoln Continental MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,550
EPA size classLarge Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume102 cu ft
Cargo volume18 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$10,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1997 Lincoln Continental costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,750
Fuel only$22,750
Per mile$0.30

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1997 Lincoln Continental trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl 260 hp

1997 Lincoln Continental vehicles on record

1997 Lincoln Continental 1997 Lincoln Continental Base1LNLM97V0VY648207 1997 Lincoln Continental 1997 Lincoln Continental Base1LNLM97V9VY722823 1997 Lincoln Continental Base1LNLM97V2VY710335 1997 Lincoln Continental 1997 Lincoln Continental Base1LNLM97V4VY635833

Other Lincoln Continental model years

2020 2019 2018 2017 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1996 1995 1988

1997 Lincoln Continental — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Lincoln Continental have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1997 Lincoln Continental. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Lincoln Continental?

Owners have filed 99 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, power train, hydraulic.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Lincoln Continental get?

The 1997 Lincoln Continental has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (15 city / 23 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.