Model year record

1991 Lincoln Continental

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

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.