At a glance

Reported mileage194,332 mi

LocationFl, USA

ColorSilver

Last listed price$700

Open recalls2

Vehicle identity & specifications

Make

Lincoln

Model

Continental

Year

1998

Trim

Base

Body style

Sedan/Saloon

Vehicle type

PASSENGER CAR

Engine

4.6L 8-cyl 260 hp

Cylinders

8

Fuel type

Gasoline

Doors

4

Assembly plant

WIXOM, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES (USA)

Manufacturer

FORD MOTOR COMPANY

What's a 1998 Lincoln Continental worth?

What comparable 1998 Lincoln Continental vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.

Low

$550

Typical price

$1,770

High

$3,750

Most 1998 Lincoln Continental listings fall between $550 and $3,750, from 10 comparable cars.

Is the seller's price fair? Get this exact VIN's current market value — retail, trade-in & loan value — in the full report.

See this car's exact value →

Full vehicle history report

$14.99 USD · one-time

What a full report checks for VIN 1LNFM97V5WY605321

⚠️ 2 open safety recalls — shown above, free 🔒 Title & brand records 🔒 Accident & damage history 🔒 Salvage, total-loss & theft 🔒 Odometer & owner count 🔒 Liens & market valuation

A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.

📜 Title status Clean, salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood or lemon

🏷️ Title brand history Every brand ever applied, by state

🧾 Number of owners How many registrations on record

🛞 Odometer readings Reported mileage over time

🔎 Rollback check Mileage inconsistency / tamper flags

💥 Accident & damage Reported collisions and damage events

🚧 Total-loss records Insurance total-loss declarations

♻️ Salvage & auction Salvage-yard and auction history

🚓 Theft records Reported / recovered theft events

🏦 Liens & impounds Outstanding liens or impound records

🏷️ Sale & listing history Past marketplace and dealer listings

💰 Market valuation Estimated value for this exact spec

Unlock full report — $14.99 → or get up to 20 reports a month for $19.99/mo → One-time purchase · permanent access · VIN 1LNFM97V5WY605321

Safety recalls 2

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, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October…

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA Campaign #16E026000 · 01/04/2016

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA Campaign #98V028000 · 10/02/1998

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Common problems & what to inspect

Based on 72 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Lincoln Continental, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.

🔥 1 involved a fire

Power Train 2 reports

🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

Seat Belts 2 reports

🔍 Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

Vehicle Speed Control 2 reports

🔍 Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.

Electrical System 2 reports

🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Exterior Lighting 2 reports

🔍 Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

Visibility/wiper 1 report

🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Pre-purchase checklist

Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.

Owner complaints 72

Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1998 Lincoln Continental.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I AM ONE PERSON AMONG MANY THAT HAVE BEEN HAVING MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD FRONT WHEEL DRIVE TRANSMISSION. BOUGHT MY 98 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WITH 97000 MILES ON IT, AT 109000 MILES HAD TO PAY 2400 TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION PULLED AND REBUILT. I'M 65 YEARS OLD AND HAVE NEVER EVEN HIT THE PASSING GEAR. AT 155000 MILES IT HAD TO GET PULLED AGAIN. 1500 DOLLAR…

NHTSA ODI #10578665

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REARVIEW MIRROR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MIRROR HAD A DAY NIGHT AUTOMATIC TINTING FEATURE. THE SEALS ON THE MIRROR FAILED AND THE FLUIDS LEAKED AND COVERED THE MIRROR. THE MIRROR COULD NOT LONGER BE USED AND WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE MIRROR HIMSELF AND THE ORIGINAL MIRR…

NHTSA ODI #10465063

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000.

NHTSA ODI #10410532

VISIBILITY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR VIEW AND DRIVER SIDE MIRRORS WERE TINTED WITH AN ANTI-REFLECTION CHEMICAL WHICH MELTED THE PLASTIC INSIDE CAUSING THE MIRRORS TO LOOK FOGGY OR DARKER THAN THEY WERE. HE BELIEVED IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE HIS VISIBILITY WAS MINIMAL AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE …

NHTSA ODI #10382742

SEAT BELTS

THE RIGHT AND LEFT SEATS BELTS IN THE REAR OF CAR WILL NO LONGER RETRACT. I GOT THEM UNSTUCK A COUPLE TIMES BUT IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND AGAIN. I AM AFRAID BECAUSE MY KIDS SIT BACK THERE.

NHTSA ODI #10377302

SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE

1998 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING DEFECTIVE REAR SEAT BELTS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR SEAT BELTS NO LONGER RETRACT. ALSO, WATER ENTERED THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS AND CAUSED THE LENS TO FOGGED UP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10374423

STEERING

AS I WAS BACKING THE CAR UP THE TIE ROD/STEERING ASSEMBLY DISENGAGED (UNSCREWED) FROM THE RACK&PINYON (PASSENGER SIDE) CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. THE TIE ROD I STRESS AGAIN UNSCREWED FROM THE RACK. I WAS FORTUNATE THIS TOOK PLACE AT A SLOW SPEED. I FEEL THAT IF THIS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS OR FATAL CRASH. MY MECHANIC R…

NHTSA ODI #10372119

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SPONTANEOUS FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE LAST DRIVEN ABOUT 12 HOURS BEFORE, AND HAD BEEN OFF SINCE THAT TIME. DURING A DOWNPOUR, AND WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE IGNITED SHORTLY AFTER 6AM - 02/06/10. EVENTS AND REMAINING EVIDENCE CLOSELY MATCH THOSE DESCRIBED IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH FIRES FOR OTHER FORD MODELS (INCLUDING SAME MO…

Fire · NHTSA ODI #10317112

+ 64 more complaints on record.