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

1997 vs 1998 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 347 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 22.2% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

1997 90 complaints 1998 70 complaints

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 1997 share 1998 share Share change
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6.7% 17.1% ▲ 10.5 pts larger share
ENGINE 6.7% 15.7% ▲ 9.0 pts larger share
STEERING 12.2% 4.3% ▼ 7.9 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 10.0% 2.9% ▼ 7.1 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 15.6% 10.0% ▼ 5.6 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 7.8% 2.9% ▼ 4.9 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 1.1% 5.7% ▲ 4.6 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS not reported 4.3% ▲ 4.3 pts larger share
TIRES 5.6% 1.4% ▼ 4.1 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 11.1% 7.1% ▼ 4.0 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6.7% 8.6% ▲ 1.9 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 3.3% 1.4% ▼ 1.9 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1.1% 2.9% ▲ 1.8 pts larger share
WHEELS not reported 1.4% ▲ 1.4 pts larger share
AIR BAGS 4.4% 5.7% ▲ 1.3 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 75.6% 67.1% ▼ 8.4 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1997 2

Campaign components: POWER TRAIN and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1998 2

Campaign components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
3 → 2
◆ Injuries
5 → 4