One problem related to transmission noise has been reported for the 1997 Lincoln Continental. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The cruise control was engaged, the driver had just touched the resume button when the motor made a wild revving and racing noise, and with that, all the gears were gone. It was as if the vehicle was in neutral. The vehicle was towed to the nearest Ford dealer who couldn't see vehicle for at least a week. Consumer considered this to be a transmission failure.