The 1996 Lincoln Continental is a full-size car that came with a 4.6L 8-cyl engine. At 30 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Large Cars |
|---|---|
| Engines | 4.6L 8-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 4-spd |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $4,550 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 494 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 1 configuration |
| Age | 30 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls covering the 1996 Lincoln Continental. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
The automatic transmission park pawl shaft may not be free to rotate as intended. If the park pawl shaft does not rotate, it would prevent the park pawl from engaging the park gear when the shift lever is in the park position.
Risk: This condition could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral with the shift lever in the park position.
A defective control module in the "autolamp" system can malfunction. If the "autolamp" system is being used to activate the exterior light (including headlamps), the headlamps could shut off without warning. This will not occur if the exterior lighting is turned on manually by the headlight switch.
Risk: If the headlamps shut off while the vehicle is driven, driver visibility would be impaired increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Owners have filed 48 complaints about the 1996 Lincoln Continental with NHTSA. 3 reports involved a crash. Owners reported 1 injury.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 155 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1996 Lincoln Continental. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Groan/buzz/vibration when the gear selector is in park with the vehicle parked on an incline. *tt this bulletin updates previous bulletin 17358, dated 11/01/2003 to inclu
Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips. *tt
New transmission cooler flusher - service tips. 2003 escort and super duty f series included. *tt
Torque converter clutch not engaging when commanded and/or diagnostic trouble codes p0741 or p1744 stored in memory. Models from 1996 to 2003. *tt
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
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It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 1996 Continentals that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1996 Lincoln Continental; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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