Model year record

1990 Lincoln Continental

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 244 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine25
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly16
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline13
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly9
Structure: frame and members9
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system9
Vehicle speed control7
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator6
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood6
Seat belts6
Suspension5
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal5
Air bags47,000 mi
Air bags: frontal4
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4
Power train: automatic transmission4
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint4
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections4
Structure: body: door4
Suspension: rear: shock absorber4
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3
Seat belts: front: anchorage3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3
Suspension: front3
Suspension: front: shock absorber3
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system3
Unknown or other3
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer3
Electrical system2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2
Electrical system: ignition2
Engine and engine cooling2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
Exterior lighting: headlights2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid2
Suspension: front: macpherson strut2
Vehicle speed control: linkages2
Visibility: power window devices and controls2
Visibility: windshield2
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1
Power train1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Steering1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: linkages1
Structure1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Suspension: front: control arm1
Suspension: rear1
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system: springs/bags1
Tires1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1

The 1989 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1991 model has about half as many 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.