1988 Lincoln Continental
US · Large Cars
The 1988 Lincoln Continental is listed in the US market with gasoline power. Every figure below carries the source it came from, and anything our sources do not publish is left out rather than estimated.
- Engine
- 3.8L 6-cylinder (FFS)
- Transmission
- 4-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Economy
- 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) combined
Key Figures
Engine
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.8L 6-cylinder (FFS) | |
| Displacement | 3.8 L | |
| Cylinders | 6 | |
| Fuel type | Gasoline | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
Transmission and drivetrain
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
| Gears | 4 | |
| Drivetrain | FWD | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
Fuel economy and range
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Combined | 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
| City | 15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km) | |
| Highway | 23 mpg (10.2 L/100 km) |
Our sources do not publish these for this vehicle: Aspiration, Power, Torque, Electric range, Battery capacity. We leave them out instead of estimating.
Trims and configurations
1 configuration listed by our sources. Engines, drivetrains and fuel economy can differ between them.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for this model year. Last checked November 7, 2026.
98V323000: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT…
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
Reported December 16, 1998. View on NHTSA
93V106000: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS AND SABLES BUILT FROM 10-14-85 THROUGH 8-19-88, AND LINCOLN CONTINENTALS BUILT FROM 11-4-87 THROUGH 9-30-88 (EXCEPT 1989 - 1991 2.5L TAURUS AND 1989 - 1992 SHO). THE AFFECTED CARS WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO,…
Remedy: INSTALL A CORROSION-RESISTANT REINFORCING PLATE AND A NEW BOLT ON BOTH REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS. THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.
Reported June 23, 1993. View on NHTSA
91V134000: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
Reported August 6, 1991. View on NHTSA
89V057000: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
PROCESS USED FOR CONNECTING THE GAS LINES WAS SUBSTANDARD.
Remedy: INSTALL STANDARD GAS LINE COMPRESSION FITTINGS.
Reported April 4, 1989. View on NHTSA
88V118000: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT CONTROLS CURRENT TO BRAKE PUMP MOTOR RELAY, HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER MOTOR, TURN SIGNALS, AND A ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER MAY OVERHEAT DUE TO INABILITY OF IGNITION CIRCUIT WIRING CONNECTIONS TO DISSIPATE HEAT GENERATED BY ELECTRICAL LOADS.
Remedy: REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH AND MODIFY SWITCH WIRING.
Reported July 22, 1988. View on NHTSA
88V114000: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
NYLON SHIELDED WIRING HARNESS, LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO HEAT DAMAGE AND MELTING OF THE NYLON MATERIAL IN 100 DEGREE PLUS WEATHER.
Remedy: WRAP WIRING HARNESS WITH HEAT RESISTANT FIBERGLASS TAPE.
Reported July 19, 1988. View on NHTSA
88V101000: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLES MAY NOT MEET FORDS PULL OUT LOAD SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE SWIVEL TUBE PORTION OF THE CABLE, WHICH COULD ALLOW THE SWIVEL TUBE TO SEPARATE FROM THE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: REPLACE SHIFT CABLE.
Reported June 27, 1988. View on NHTSA
88V030000: SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TWO TORSION SPRINGS ATTACHED TO REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS MAY FRACTURE AND RUB AGAINST A REAR TIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL TORSION SPRING SEATS TO RESTRICT THE SPRINGS FROM CONTACTING THE TIRE IF THEY SHOULD FRACTURE.
Reported March 11, 1988. View on NHTSA
88V027000: SEAT BELTS
DRIVER AND RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER INBOARD SEAT BELTS MAY BE IMPROPERLY ANCHORED DUE TO LOOSE NUTS THAT COULD BACK OFF.
Remedy: INBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES WILL BE CORRECTED TO PREVENT LOOSENING.
Reported March 8, 1988. View on NHTSA
Data sources
- EPA fueleconomy.gov · retrieved October 21, 2026 · US Government public data
- NHTSA vPIC · retrieved October 21, 2026 · US Government public data
Source checked: October 21, 2026
Data verified: October 22, 2026
Specifications can vary by market, trim, configuration and production date. Confirm with the manufacturer before buying parts or making safety decisions. Report an error.
Related vehicles
- 1987 Lincoln Continental
Gasoline
5.0L 8-cylinder ((FFS)) · RWD
19 mpg (12.4 L/100 km) - 1989 Lincoln Continental
Gasoline
3.8L 6-cylinder ((FFS)) · FWD
18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km)
Frequently asked questions
What engine does the 1988 Lincoln Continental have?
3.8L 6-cylinder ((FFS)). Engines can differ by trim, so check the trim list below.
What is the fuel economy of the 1988 Lincoln Continental?
Combined fuel economy is 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km), as published by the source shown in the specification table.
Is the 1988 Lincoln Continental front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive?
Drivetrain: FWD.
Are there recalls for the 1988 Lincoln Continental?
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for this model year (last checked November 7, 2026). Details are in the Recalls section.