Model year record

1991 Lincoln Continental

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 399 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 97V025000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
212,700
Reported to NHTSA
1997-02-26
Owners notified
1997-04-23

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.

Safety risk

DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.

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: engine41—
Power train: automatic transmission31133,451 mi
Structure: frame and members16107,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline14—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner13—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip12—
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system12—
Suspension: front11—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components10—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor10—
Unknown or other9—
Air bags: frontal6—
Engine and engine cooling6—
Structure: body: door6—
Suspension6—
Vehicle speed control6—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc5—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly5—
Suspension: rear5—
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system5—
Air bags4—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery4—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator4—
Electrical system: ignition: switch4—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood4—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum4—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system4—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections4—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut4—
Suspension: rear: shock absorber4—
Visibility: power window devices and controls4—
Visibility: windshield4—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys3—
Equipment: electrical3—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3—
Fuel system, gasoline3—
Power train: axle assembly3—
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads3—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump3—
Steering: rack and pinion3—
Suspension: front: shock absorber3—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system3—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer3—
Electrical system: ignition2—
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Electrical system: wiring2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan2—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch2—
Power train: manual transmission2—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2—
Seat belts: front: webbing2—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid2—
Structure2—
Structure: body: trunk lid2—
Tires2—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior2—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1—
Air bags: side/window1—
Electrical system1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Power train1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seats1—
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Steering1—
Steering: linkages1—
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1—
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut1—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1—
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension: springs/bags1—
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system: springs/bags1—
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Wheels1—

The 1990 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1992 model has 2 times 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.