Model year record

1989 Lincoln Continental

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

Lincoln Continental, 1988–1994 generation
Pictured: the 1988–1994 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

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.

Other Lincoln Continental model years

All Lincoln Continental recalls by year

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.