Model year record

1989 Lincoln Continental

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 255 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V323000

Structure: frame and members

Component
Structure: frame and members
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
2,697,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-12-16
Owners notified
1999-01-18

Defect description

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 PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.

Safety risk

IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V174000

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
63,400
Reported to NHTSA
1997-10-07
Owners notified
1998-04-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEATING POSITION SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH.

Safety risk

THESE CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE SEAT BELT USAGE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 91V134000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
325,000
Reported to NHTSA
1991-08-06
Owners notified
1991-09-26

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

SEVERELY CORRODED ROTORS MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE NEARTHE INNER EDGES OF THE BRAKE DISCS RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS,HIGHER THAN NORMAL PEDAL EFFORTS, LOUD GRINDING NOISES, AND MODERATE PULLS WHENTHE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS MAY INCREASE MINIMUMSTOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 89V048000

Seat belts: front: retractor

Component
Seat belts: front: retractor
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
750
Reported to NHTSA
1989-03-27
Owners notified
1989-04-12

Defect description

THE LEFT SIDE, REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY BE IMPROPERLY SECURED AND COULD PULL FREE OF ITS MOUNTING LOCATION.

Safety risk

OCCUPANT, THOUGH STILL RESTRAINED BY THE LAP PORTION OFTHE BELT, WOULD NOT HAVE UPPER BODY PROTECTION.

Manufacturer remedy

REINSTALL THE RETRACTOR ATTACHMENT BOLT.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3237,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine17
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip15
Electrical system: ignition: switch10
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline9
Vehicle speed control9
Power train: automatic transmission8
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner6
Seat belts: front: retractor6
Steering: hydraulic power assist system6
Structure: frame and members6
Air bags: frontal5
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components5
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections5
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator4
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood4
Suspension4
Suspension: front: macpherson strut4
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system4
Electrical system3
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3
Interior lighting3
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum3
Suspension: rear3
Suspension: rear: shock absorber3
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system3
Electrical system: ignition2
Electrical system: ignition: module2
Electrical system: starter assembly2
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2
Exterior lighting: headlights2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2
Seat belts2
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid2
Steering: rack and pinion2
Suspension: front2
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2
Air bags1
Electrical system: wiring1
Engine and engine cooling1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, other1
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic1
Steering: column1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: gear box: shaft pitman1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: linkages1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1
Structure1
Structure: body1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1230,000 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber1
Suspension: multiple axle1
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly1
Tires1
Tires: tread/belt1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1
Visibility: windshield1

The 1988 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1990 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.