Total Complaints
38 filings
LINCOLN CONTINENTAL · model year
38 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2001LINCOLNCONTINENTAL carries 38 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 CONTINENTAL is unknown or other with 4 filings, followed by suspension (4) and vehicle speed control (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2001 CONTINENTAL. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
38 filings
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 |
| SUSPENSION | 4 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 3 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 2 |
| STEERING | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES | 1 |
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
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, Brake
I'M A NEW OWNER I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS FUNNY WHEN I'M DRIVING OR TURNING THE WHEEL AND I HEAR A NOISE WHEN I TURN IT .
I'M A NEW OWNER I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS FUNNY WHEN I'M DRIVING OR TURNING THE WHEEL AND I HEAR A NOISE WHEN I TURN IT .
DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK IS DEFECTIVE. THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE, BUT I HAD IT FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP AT MY EXPENSE.
Mileage: 53,000
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AT HOME AND WHEN I TURNED MY STEERING WHEEL, THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SHREDDED THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. I CHECKED THE AREA THAT THE SPRING BROKE, AND IT WAS CLEAN, UNRUSTED METAL, THERE WAS NO SIGN OF AN IMPENDING FAILURE, JUST A SUDDEN BREAK.
Mileage: 142,250
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AT HOME AND WHEN I TURNED MY STEERING WHEEL, THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SHREDDED THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. I CHECKED THE AREA THAT THE SPRING BROKE, AND IT WAS CLEAN, UNRUSTED METAL, THERE WAS NO SIGN OF AN IMPENDING FAILURE, JUST A SUDDEN BREAK.
Mileage: 142,250
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AT HOME AND WHEN I TURNED MY STEERING WHEEL, THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SHREDDED THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. I CHECKED THE AREA THAT THE SPRING BROKE, AND IT WAS CLEAN, UNRUSTED METAL, THERE WAS NO SIGN OF AN IMPENDING FAILURE, JUST A SUDDEN BREAK.
Mileage: 142,250
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, SMOKE STARTED EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND NEAR THE WIPER SWITCH. ALSO, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LOW WASHER FLUID SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THAT UNDER THE HOOD THERE WAS A DISCONNECTED PIECE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN REPLENISHED THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID AND FIXED THE DETACHED PIECE. WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Mileage: 170,000
WHILE BACKING THE CAR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING OVERNIGHT, THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT. AFTER REMOVING THE WHEEL, I SAW THAT THE LARGE COIL SUSPENSION SPRING HAD BROKEN AND THAT THE SHARP END OF THE BROKEN SPRING HAD SLICED OPEN THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. THE CAR IS SITTING THE DRIVEWAY WAITING FOR PART I ORDERED. I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT COST $690.00 EACH FOR COIL SPRINGS THAT'S' CRAZY . AND THAT THERE IS NO RECALL SINCE I HAVE BEEN READING A LOT OF THIS SAME COMPLAINT. THIS IS A 2001 AND THE MILEAGE IS STILL LOW ONLY 50,000 MILES. *TR
Mileage: 51,000
WHILE BACKING THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING OVERNIGHT, THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT. AFTER REMOVING THE WHEEL, I SAW THAT THE LARGE COIL SUSPENSION SPRING HAD BROKEN AND THAT THE SHARP END OF THE BROKEN SPRING HAD SLICED OPEN THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. THE CAR IS NOW IN THE SHOP, SO THE VIN AND EXACT MILEAGE ARE NOT AVAILABLE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM WITH FORD PRODUCTS BEFORE. IF THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE, WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM? *TR
Mileage: 161,000
2001 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL / 115,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE 10 FWY IN JULY 2008, AND WITHOUT ACTIVATING CRUISE CONTROL, OR PRESSING SHARPLY ON THE GAS PEDAL, MY CAR BEGAN TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE AT TOP SPEED. THE ENGINE ROARED WITH A LOUD SOUND AND IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO FULL OPERATING POWER. THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE AT FULL THROTTLE WAS UNMISTAKABLE AND AS I LOOKED AT THE DASH BOARD GAUGES, I SAW MY SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE QUICKLY REACH 90 MPH AND KEPT MOVING HIGHER. REALIZING I WAS IN DANGER, I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT SLOWING MY CAR DOWN IN THE NORMAL FASHION. IT ONLY DEPRESSED ABOUT - OF THE NORMAL RANGE. CONFUSED, I QUICKLY GLANCED DOWN AT MY FEET TO CHECK FOR AN OBJECT OR FLOOR MAT THAT WOULD CAUSE MY GAS PEDAL TO BE STUCK OR LODGED. THERE WERE NO OBJECTS TO BE FOUND. WITH MY CAR CONTINUING AT A SPEED OF AT LEAST 90 MPH, AND MY LEFT FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I THEN FELT THE GAS PEDAL BENEATH MY RIGHT FOOT MOVE AWAY AND DOWN TOWARD THE FLOOR BO
Mileage: 115,000
COIL SPRING ON LEFT FRONT STRUT BROKE, RUBBED THROUGH SIDEWALL OF TIRE CAUSING BLOWOUT. WIFE WAS REAL LUCKY THIS WAS IN TOWN AT LOW SPEED. COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC ON FREEWAY. PARTS ARE REAL EXPENSIVE $450 EACH SIDE PLUS ONE NEW TIRE, I'M GOING TO GET BOTH SIDES DONE BECAUSE I DON'T TRUST THE OTHER ONE NOW. I HAVE THE PARTS ORDERED. I WILL SAVE FAILED PART. *TR
Mileage: 75,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND ACCELERATING FORWARD, THE CONTACT HEARD A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS LEANING ON THE TIRE. HE ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE TIRE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,052 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,755. UPDATED 02-12-08 BF * UPDATED 02/12/08 *TR
Mileage: 89,755
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO BACK UP THE VEHICLE AND THE TIRE BLEW OUT. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,371 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,350. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB
Mileage: 113,350
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OR GREATER, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED AND THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WAIT COULD BE 2-6 MONTHS. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE WAIT TIME FOR THE PART WAS UNACCEPTABLE. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO LOCATE ONE PART; HOWEVER, AS OF NOVEMBER 1, 2007, THE MECHANIC HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 79,000.
Mileage: 79,000
2001 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL CONDENSATION IN FRONT HEADLAMP SEAL. CUSTOMER BELIEVES THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SEAL. MANUFACTURER STATED IT WAS HER RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE IT. *KB THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING RELIEF FOR REPAIRS AND OR POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY AND ATTACHED EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07
WE ARE OWNERS OF A 2001 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. MY TWO YOUNG BOYS AGES 2 AND 4 WERE IN THEIR CAR SEATS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR SEAT, LEAVING THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT UNUSED. MY FOUR YEAR OLD HAD CALLED ME FOR HELP WHILE I WAS DRIVING OVER A BRIDGE. I SAW HE WAS NOOSED AROUND HIS NECK BY THE MIDDLE BELT AND PINNED AGAINST THE REAR OF THE SEAT. THE CAR HAS AN AUTOMATED LOCKING POSITION FOR SAFETY . THIS TURNS OUT TO BE A DANGER. THE BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE LEAVING ME TO HAVE TO RUN FOR HELP ON THE HIGHWAY. I FOUND A MAN WHO COULD HELP CUT THE BELT AND RELEASE MY SON. HE WAS LEFT WITH A FULL COLLAR BELT BURN ON HIS NECK. BE AWARE OF THIS AUTOMATED LOCKING POSITION. IT ALMOST COST MY SON HIS LIFE. *JB
Mileage: 42,000
CONCERNED ABOUT FIRES IDENTIFED AS BEING CAUSED BY THE HOT WIRED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AS RECENTLY REPORTED ON TWICE ON TELEVISION. I AM AFFRAID TO PUT CARS IN GARAGE. THERE ARE NO INCIDENTS. CAN'T PROCEED WITH THIS COMPLAINT WITHOUT DATES. CARS: 2001 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND 2004 SABLE LS
CONCERNED ABOUT FIRES IDENTIFED AS BEING CAUSED BY THE HOT WIRED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AS RECENTLY REPORTED ON TWICE ON TELEVISION. I AM AFFRAID TO PUT CARS IN GARAGE. THERE ARE NO INCIDENTS. CAN'T PROCEED WITH THIS COMPLAINT WITHOUT DATES. CARS: 2001 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND 2004 SABLE LS
I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AT THE TIME OF OIL CHANGE THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS MAKING A NOISE, AND REQUESTED A CHECK. THEY APPARENTLY DID NOTHING, AND EACH TIME I HAD THE OIL CHANGED I WOULD REQUEST A CHECK. NOW THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY SAY THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS FAIING AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT WILL EVENTUALLY LOCK UP OF NOT REPAIRED. I AM RECEIVING NO ACTION FROM THE DEALER.
Mileage: 30,000
WHILE STOPPED TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL, THE FLOOR-SHIFTING MODULE DID NOT MOVE. *BF ATTEMPTS TO PLACE THE SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE OR 3RD GEAR FAILED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN THE FRONT PISTON IN WHICH THE PLATE WAS WARPED. THE COMPUTER SHOWED NO PROBLEM, THEREFORE THEY COULD NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *SC
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.