Model year record

1990 Lincoln Continental

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

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.

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.