1987 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 1987 Lincoln Continental problems
Based on the information provided in the search results, here are some common problems reported by owners of the Lincoln Continental 1987:
- Rough Idle and Engine Stalling: Issues with the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system are common, particularly in the 2002 model, which can cause rough idling and engine stalling. This problem may also affect units from 1990-2001.
- Dome Light Malfunction: Some owners have reported issues with the dome light staying on without reason, often due to a triggered door ajar light. This can be resolved by spraying a water-displacing spray on the door locks and latches.
- Power Steering Problems: Complaints about power steering suddenly cutting out while driving have been noted in 1998 Lincoln Continentals. Typically, the issue resolves after restarting the engine, with faulty steering components replacement being the common fix.
- A/C Heater Issues: Owners of 1994 Lincoln Continentals have experienced malfunctions in the A/C and heater system, which may require attention from a trusted mechanic for proper diagnosis and repair.
- PCV Grommet Vacuum Leaks: Vehicles from model years 1995-2002 are prone to PCV grommet vacuum leaks, leading to rough running and triggering the check engine light. Replacing the PCV hose has been effective in resolving this issue.
- Transmission Issues: Several owners have reported transmission-related problems, including the need for transmission replacement after around 55,000 miles and leaks requiring seal replacements, costing around $1,200 to fix.
These problems highlight some of the common issues faced by owners of the Lincoln Continental 1987 model, ranging from suspension and engine issues to electrical and HVAC system malfunctions. Addressing these concerns promptly and with the help of a qualified mechanic can help maintain the vehicle's performance and longevity.
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 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.
How much horsepower does a 1987 Lincoln Continental have?
The standard engine was a 131 hp carbureted version of the 5.0L V8.
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).
Why did they stop making Lincoln Continental?
Lincoln is stopping production of the Continental at the end of this year. The company says the decision is due to declining sales of full-size premium sedans. With the Lincoln MKZ and Conti both heading for the graveyard, that will leave the luxury automaker with an all-SUV lineup for the first time ever.
What year Lincoln Continental is the most desirable?
The most valuable of this era are the first-year, 1961 cars; from there, values of most configurations drop. While sedans and coupes (across all model years) are usually worth within 5–7 percent of each other, the rare and desirable convertibles are worth approximately 250 percent more than their hardtop brethren.
How much horsepower does a 1987 Lincoln Continental have?
The standard engine was a 131 hp carbureted version of the 5.0L V8.
1987 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:
- Electrical system problems
- Suspension problems
- Power train problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1987 Lincoln Continental vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1987 Lincoln Continental complaints
The NHTSA has received 11 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1987 Lincoln Continental.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-07-20
- VIN: 1LNBM97F0HY
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. I DROVE HOME ABOUT 5 MILES. KNOWING A LITTLE ABOUT CARS I LIFTED THE HOOD TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE LEVEL WAS FINE BUT THE FLUID LOOKED A LITTLE DARK TO ME. I SMELLED THE FLUID AND IT SMELLED BURNT. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN FINE UP TO THAT POINT SO I LOOKED AROUND TO SEE IF I COULD SEE ANYTHING ELSE WRONG. I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL CABLE THAT ATTACHES TO THE THROTTLE WAS HANGING LOOSE. I TOOK OUT MY SHOP MANUAL AND COPIED THE PAGE WITH THE LINKAGE ON IT AND WENT TO A LINCOLN DEALER. I BOUGHT THE $1 PLASTIC PART THAT HOLDS THE LINKAGE ON AND RETURNED HOME. I REATTACHED THE LINKAGE AND HAPPILY DROVE OFF THINKING NO BIG DEAL. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FINE FROM FIRST TO SECOND BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD OR FOURTH. I CALLED A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. HE KNEW RIGHT AWAY WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND TOLD ME THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS RUINED. HE EXPLAINED WHY AND I HAD NO DOUBT THAT HE WAS CORRECT. IT WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME HE HAD SEEN THAT HAPPEN. I CONTACTED FORD BY EMAIL. THEY WOULD NOT HELP OUT IN ANY WAY AND SUGGESTED THAT I SHOULD HAVE SERVICED THE CAR REGULARLY AT A FORD/LINCOLN DEALERSHIP AND THAT THIS WOULD HELP TO PREVENT SUCH A PROBLEM. I WROTE BACK ASKING FOR THE NAME OF A MECHANIC THAT COULD PREDICT THAT TYPE OF PART FAILURE BY LOOKING AT IT AND I WOULD GO TO THAT PERSON. THEY SENT ME NO NAME. IF THIS TRANSMISSION FAILED DO TO ABUSE, LACK OF CARE, OR EVEN AGE, I WOULD NOT HAVE CONTACTED FORD OR NHSTA. IT FAILED BECAUSE FORD USED A PLASTIC PART THAT WOULD ALMOST SURELY BECOME BRITTLE AND BREAK WITH AGE. I SPENT $1400.00 TO GET IT REPAIRED BECAUSE FORD USED AN INEXPENSIVE PLASTIC PART TO HOLD LINKAGE TOGETHER ON AN EXPENSIVE TRANSMISSION. I WOULD HAVE CONTACTED YOU SOONER BUT WITH ALL THE TROUBLE FORD HAD WITH TIRE FAILURES I WANTED TO WAIT FOR THAT TO DIE DOWN. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN. THANKS, PAUL SCHRADIECK. *AK
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-04-01
- VIN: 1LNBM97F0HY
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: FRONT WHEELS AND TIRES ARE NOT ABLE TO CLEAR THE WHEEL-WELL, RESULTING IN FULL TURNING RADIAUS FAILURE. THERE IS A CONVERSION KIT TO CHANGE THE SUSPENSION FROM AIR-RIDE TO GIL SPRINGS, IF NOT CHANGED THERE IS A PONTENTIAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1LNBM81F5HY
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE IGNITION MODULE ON VEHICLE BECAME INOPERATIVE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AS CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT, ITS LOCATION BEING ON THE DISTRIBUTOR.*YD
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-10-26
- VIN: 1LNBM97F5HY
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING, RIGHT FRONT AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FELL DOWN ON RIGHT TIRE; ALMOST CAUSED VEHICLE TO TURN OVER, DEALER REPLACING AIR SUSPENSION. SYSTEM. VARIOUS SPEEDS.*AK
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-12-16
- VIN: 1LNBM97F9HY
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: FAILURE OF AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. VEHICLE RIDES ON AXLE ; HARD STEERING AND ROUGH RIDING. VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT HAS BEEN IN FOR SAME PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-08-07
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
- Summary: WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSES THE ABS TO GO OUT AS WELL AS THE AIR CONDITIONING.AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-05
- Fire: 1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: DURING THE AM HOURS SMOKE ENTERED THE HOUSE THROUGH THE GARAGE AND BURNED IT DOWN. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-06-01
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1LNBM81F3HY
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: VEHICLE WAS PARKED, COMPARTMENT FIRE UNDER THE DASH, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-06-01
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1LNBM81F3HY
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: VEHICLE WAS PARKED, COMPARTMENT FIRE UNDER THE DASH, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-04-04
- VIN: 1LNBM98F6HY
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: TURNED ON IGNITION TO START VEHICLE AND IT ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED, THE ONLY WAY TO STOP WAS TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. TT
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-04-04
- VIN: 1LNBM98F6HY
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO 1ST GEAR. *AK
1987 Lincoln Continental recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1987 Lincoln Continental.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
- Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
- Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1987 Lincoln Continental problems:
Q&A: 1987 Lincoln Continental Brake System & Accumulator Steel
Dec 13, 2008 ... It sounds like the seals on the piston within the master cylinder are intermittently leaking, which is extremely common with this type of system ...
Front Air Bag Problems - 87 Lincoln Continental - TheLincolnForum ...
We baught an 87 Lincoln Continental last summer with only 30,000 miles. Very nice car. In the last two months the fromt air bags have been losing their air.
Most common problems - Lincolns OnLine Message Forum
Aug 21, 2012 ... Most common problems 1990 - 1997 Town Car. ... I am looking at a 1997 lincoln town car. An ... 1982 - 1987 Continental, 1988 - 1994 ...
Why are there so many electrical problems with the 2002 Lincoln ...
Aug 31, 2018 ... What could cause a 1987 Lincoln Town Car with a 5.0L EFI to stall out? My wife had Thunderbird from the same era as your Town Car. She often ...
What I learned after 3 years of owning my 80s Lincoln Town Car Part 1
Mar 22, 2016 ... No problem, take it off, chuck it, head down to the ... Lincoln's transmission. First you will lose ... 1982 - 1987 Continental, 1988 - 1994 ...
Other years of Lincoln Continental
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