1981 Lincoln Continental problems
The Lincoln Continental is a series of mid-sized and full-sized luxury cars produced between 1939 and 2020 by Lincoln, a division of the American automaker Ford Motor Company. The model line was introduced following the construction of a personal vehicle for Edsel Ford, who commissioned a coachbuilt 1939 Lincoln-Zephyr convertible, developed as a vacation vehicle to attract potential Lincoln buyers. In what would give the model line its name, the exterior was given European "continental" styling elements, including a rear-mounted spare tire.
In production for over 55 years across nine different decades, Lincoln has produced ten generations of the Continental. Within the Lincoln model line, the Continental has served several roles ranging from its flagship to its base-trim sedan. From 1961 to 1976, Lincoln sold the Continental as its exclusive model line. The model line has also gone on hiatus three times. From 1949 to 1955, the nameplate was briefly retired. In 1981, the Continental was renamed the Lincoln Town Car to accommodate the 1982 seventh-generation Continental. After 2002, the Continental was retired, largely replaced by the Lincoln MKS in 2009; in 2017, the tenth-generation Continental replaced the MKS.
As part of its entry into full-scale production, the first-generation Continental was the progenitor of an entirely new automotive segment, the personal luxury car. Following World War II, the segment evolved into coupes and convertibles larger than sports cars and grand touring cars with an emphasis on features, styling, and comfort over performance and handling. From 1956 to 1957, the Continental nameplate was the namesake of the short-lived Continental Division, marketing the 1956–1957 Continental Mark II as the worldwide flagship of Ford Motor Company; as a second successor, Ford introduced the Continental Mark series in 1969, produced over six generations to 1998.
Along with the creation of the personal luxury car segment, the Lincoln Continental marked the zenith of several designs in American automotive history. The Continental is the final American vehicle line with a factory-produced V12 engine (1948), the final four-door convertible (1967), and the final model line to undergo downsizing (for the 1980 model year).
American production of the Continental and MKZ, its only two sedans, ended in 2020 thereby making Lincoln a crossover/SUV-only brand in the USA. After it was discontinued in Lincoln's home market, Ford indicated that it planned to move Continental production to China.
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Common 1981 Lincoln Continental problems
The 1981 Lincoln Continental is known for several common problems based on complaints from owners of this car. One of the most frequently reported problems is related to the headlights, which may not turn on or may have dim dash lights when the switch is pulled on the dashboard. This issue may be due to a faulty switch or a problem with the vacuum-operated headlight doors.
Another common issue is related to the fuel system. If a 1981 Lincoln Continental has been sitting for a long time without being started, the fuel may go bad, causing starting problems. In such cases, draining the old fuel, replacing the fuel filter, fuel return relay, and fuel pump may be necessary.
The transmission is another area where problems may arise. Some 1981 Lincoln Continental owners have reported transmission-related issues, such as hesitation problems and stalling conditions, which may be due to a problem with the Ford AOD transmission or the engine control module.
Vacuum leaks are also a common problem in the 1981 Lincoln Continental. The engine controls on these cars are very vacuum-sensitive, and leaks may cause problems, especially if the vacuum lines are in poor condition. Low engine idle or stalling at a stop may be symptoms of vacuum leaks.
Finally, the dashboard gauges, such as the fuel gauge, may not read correctly. This issue may be due to a problem with the wiring or sending unit, and it is not necessarily related to the light problem.
In summary, the 1981 Lincoln Continental has several common problems, including headlight issues, fuel system problems, transmission problems, vacuum leaks, and dashboard gauge inaccuracies. Proper maintenance and timely repairs can help prevent or address these issues, ensuring the car's longevity and reliability.
How much is a 1981 Lincoln Continental worth?
How Much Does The 1981 Lincoln Continental Costs In 2022? As of 2022, the average price of the 1981 Lincoln Mark VI Continental is $8,579, based on the price trend over the last five years. For that price, you could get a vehicle that is both in a good condition and has a rational mileage on the odometer.
What is the best year for a Lincoln Continental?
In terms of overall value for money, the most reliable Lincoln Continental year is the 2017 or 2018 model. According to hotcars.com, either one of these models will be perfect if you want overall dependability and reliability.
Is the Lincoln Continental a reliable car?
The Lincoln Continental isn't the most reliable luxury car, but it retains above average scores on several ratings. It is, however, one of the safest vehicles to drive, according to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
How many miles will a Lincoln Continental last?
How long do Lincoln Continentals last? Typically, you can expect around 200,000 miles out of a Lincoln Continental. This number might vary depending on the maintenance put into the car and how the person behind the wheel drives it. Many factors are at play when considering the longevity of any vehicle on the market.
Is the Lincoln Continental a reliable car?
The Lincoln Continental isn't the most reliable luxury car, but it retains above average scores on several ratings. It is, however, one of the safest vehicles to drive, according to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
What is the best year for a Lincoln Continental?
In terms of overall value for money, the most reliable Lincoln Continental year is the 2017 or 2018 model. According to hotcars.com, either one of these models will be perfect if you want overall dependability and reliability.
How much is a 1981 Lincoln Continental worth?
How Much Does The 1981 Lincoln Continental Costs In 2022? As of 2022, the average price of the 1981 Lincoln Mark VI Continental is $8,579, based on the price trend over the last five years. For that price, you could get a vehicle that is both in a good condition and has a rational mileage on the odometer.
How many miles can a Lincoln Continental last?
How long do Lincoln Continentals last? Typically, you can expect around 200,000 miles out of a Lincoln Continental. This number might vary depending on the maintenance put into the car and how the person behind the wheel drives it. Many factors are at play when considering the longevity of any vehicle on the market.
1981 Lincoln Continental car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Lincoln Continental problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1981 Lincoln Continental vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1981 Lincoln Continental complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1981 Lincoln Continental.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-01-30
- VIN: 1MRBP96F5BC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: VEHICLE WOULD START UP INTERMITTENTLY. NOTICED A LOSS OF FUEL WHILE DRIVING. CHECKED RELAY, AND TRACED IT BACK TO THE GAS TANK. THERE WAS AN EXPOSED WIRE IN THE GAS TANK. IF WIRES CAME LOOSE, IT COULD START A FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER SAID THIS WAS A NORMAL FEATURE IN ALL VEHICLES. *AK
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1981 Lincoln Continental problems:
81 Lincoln Mark VI Stalls - Lincolns OnLine Message Forum
May 7, 2014 ... I do not know if there was a recall due to this problem when the cars were new, but I have read a test (1981 Lincoln Mk VI/Eldorado/Imperial) ...
Why are there so many electrical problems with the 2002 Lincoln ...
Aug 31, 2018 ... If a 1981 Lincoln Town Car is getting 10 plus volts to the distributor but no amps, what could cause this? In some of the older cars there ...
1981 Lincoln Mark VI Comments (r47291)
Jan 19, 2006 ... ... problem. This car is a keeper and I want to ... I have a Lincoln Continental Mark VI and I have no idea where the ECM (Engine control module) is ...
Lincoln Continental Questions - 1981 Lincoln Mark VI - CarGurus
Mar 17, 2018 ... I have a 1981 Lincoln Continental Mark 6 and I was having starting problems and I thought it was a starving fuel situation to but it turned ...
2004 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate With Only 35k miles. Should I grab ...
Sep 3, 2023 ... 2004 Lincoln Town Car ... The only common issue that I can see is the air suspension. ... Looking at 1981 924 with 54k miles on it, should I buy?
Other years of Lincoln Continental
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