Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1996 vs 1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 359 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 91.5% more reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1996 share 1997 share Share change
SUSPENSION 17.0% 10.0% ▼ 7.0 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 2.1% 7.8% ▲ 5.7 pts larger share
TIRES 2.1% 5.6% ▲ 3.4 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM not reported 3.3% ▲ 3.3 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 4.3% 1.1% ▼ 3.2 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 4.3% 1.1% ▼ 3.2 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 12.8% 15.6% ▲ 2.8 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4.3% 6.7% ▲ 2.4 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4.3% 6.7% ▲ 2.4 pts larger share
AIR BAGS 2.1% 4.4% ▲ 2.3 pts larger share
WHEELS 2.1% not reported ▼ 2.1 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 2.1% not reported ▼ 2.1 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 12.8% 11.1% ▼ 1.7 pts smaller share
STEERING 12.8% 12.2% ▼ 0.6 pts smaller share
ENGINE 6.4% 6.7% ▲ 0.3 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 83.0% 75.6% ▼ 7.4 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1996 3

Campaign components: POWER TRAIN and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1997 2

Campaign components: POWER TRAIN and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
0 → 3
◆ Injuries
1 → 5