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1990 Lincoln Continental

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Continental years

Owner complaints for the 1990 Lincoln Continental are substantially higher than the model-year median of 32.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 2 of 158 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports15 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

158 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING UNDER 40 MPH ACCELERATOR WILL GO DOWN TO FLOOR, AND ENGINE WILL INCREASE. BRAKES WILL NOT WORK. CONSUMER HAS TO TURN OFF TIGNITION SWITCH. AFTER A WHILE WILL START, AND WORK AS NORMAL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #877956

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

WHILE TRAVELING HEATER WOULD NOT WORK. ALSO, NOTICE WHITE SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE. TECHNICIAN STATED HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE BLOWN UP GASKET CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAILE AND THE MANUFACTURER IS UNWILLING TO ISSUE RECALL. *YH

NHTSA ODI #877147

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SUDDEN ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE WAS ONCE IN REVERSE AND TWICE IT ACCELERATED FROM 55 MPH TO 90 MPH, THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #557959

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2000
Electrical System

I ALSO HAVE A STALLING PROBLEM THAT A DEALER SAID HE CAN NOT FIND. *AK

NHTSA ODI #735881

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2000
Seat Belts

SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT RELEASE, CONSUMER HAD TO BREAK THE BUCKLE TO RELEASE OCCUPANT, RECALL #97V-174 WAS DENIED TO CONSUMER. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #554640

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2000
Electrical System

ALTERNATER WENT OUT 6 TIMES, AND CONSUMER CAN HEAR CHIMES. THEN, LIGHTS COME ON THE DASH BOARD, AND EVERYTHING GOES DEAD. CONSUMER HAS ALWAYS HEARD A CHIMING NOISE, INDICATING THAT ALTERNATER HAD CHARGING PROBLEMS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #865875

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE WAS TAKEN IN FOR OVERHEATING AND FAILURE TO COOL. DEALER CHECKED OUT AND RLEASED THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER (WITHIN 5 MILES) I NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS HEATING WAY ABOVE NORMAL. I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND RAISED THE HOOD. I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COOLANTIN THE RESERVOIR. I BOUGHT A GALLON OF ANTIFR…

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ENGINE WAS TAKEN IN FOR OVERHEATING AND FAILURE TO COOL. DEALER CHECKED OUT AND RLEASED THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER (WITHIN 5 MILES) I NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS HEATING WAY ABOVE NORMAL. I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND RAISED THE HOOD. I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COOLANTIN THE RESERVOIR. I BOUGHT A GALLON OF ANTIFREEZE AND POURED OVER HALF OF THE GALLON INTO THE TANK. I CONTINUED HOME ABOUT 5 MILES AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS STILL OVERHEATING. I RAISED THE HOOD AND PUT OVER A GALLON OF WATER INTO THE RADIATOR. THE NEXT DAY MY WIFE AND I DROVE THE CAR TO CHECK IT OUT ASSUMING THAT THE FORD DEALER GARAGE HAD SIMPLY FAILED TO CHECK OUT COOLANT AND WATER AND IT WOULD BE OKAY. THE CAR HEAT GAGE WOULD RISE AND FALL DEPENDING UPON PRESSURE ON THE ENGINE. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE GARAGE AND LEFT IT FOR MORING REPAIR. WE GOT A CALL THAT THE ENGINE HAD LOCKED UP AND THE BLOCK WAS CRACKED. THE GASKETS HAD FAILED AND LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #725438

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2000
Air BagsSuspensionInjury

MY SON AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE WAS AND IS A COLLEGE STUDENT FROM A SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLD AND I AM DISABLED. THE DEALER DID NOT AT ANY TIME ADVISE MY SON THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ANY RECALLS OR PROBLEMS. WE HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $2000.00 IN REPAIRS, THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED 7-8 TIMES. THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON CONTINUOUSLY, THEE R…

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MY SON AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE WAS AND IS A COLLEGE STUDENT FROM A SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLD AND I AM DISABLED. THE DEALER DID NOT AT ANY TIME ADVISE MY SON THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ANY RECALLS OR PROBLEMS. WE HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $2000.00 IN REPAIRS, THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED 7-8 TIMES. THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON CONTINUOUSLY, THEE RIDE CONTROL ALARM COMES ON CONTINUOUSLY, THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE, PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON CONTINUOUSLY AS WELL AS THE CHARGE SYSTEM, WE HAVE HAD IT IN AND OUT OF DEALERSHIP. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM FORD AND I FEEL THAT THIS CAR OR MAKE SHOULD OT HAVE BEEN REL3ASED TO THE CONSUMER WITH THIS MANY DEFECTS. I FEEL THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND THAT THE NUMBER OF REPAIRS PROVES IT OVER AND OVER. I WO0ULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO VILE A LOSS OF VALUE CLAIM TO RECOVER THE MONEY WE CONTINUE TO SPEND ON A VEHICLE THAT CANNOT BE TRADED IN OR SOLD . THE DEALER SHIP BEARS A LARGE PART OF THE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY RECALL OR OTHER POSSIBLE COMPONENTS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AT THE TIME MY SON PURCHASED THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE CAR BACK TO REPAIR THE SUSPENSION, THE BRAKES, A SEVERE LEAK WITH THE BRAKE FLUID COMING OUT. THE BREAK JOB DID NOT LAST LONG ENOUGH FOR MY SON TO DRIVE HOME. IT HAS ALSO CAUSED ME A GREAT DEAL OF STRESS AND HAS CONTRIBUTED TO MY DEPRESSION AND STROKES TRYING TO KEEP IT RUNING AND GETTING TO AND FROM VARIOUS POINTS INCLUDING DOCTORS APPOINTS. I BELIEVE THAT THE FOD MOTORE COMPANY BEARS SOME RESPONSIBILITY AND TO THIS DATE WE HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED OF AY RECALLS ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. PLEASE CONTACT MYSELF OR MY SON AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVIENCE. LINCOLN MERCURY REPLACED THE AIR SYSPENSION JUST TWO MONTHS AGO AND IT IS GOING OUT AGAIN AS WELL AS ATHE RIGHT REAR ROTOR. WE HAVE REPLACED THE STARTE5R, CYLIONOID, THE WIRES, SWITCH, THE BRAKES THREE TIMES. THE AIR BAG DEPOLYMENT MAL FUNCTIONS CONSTANTLY. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD.

NHTSA ODI #724211

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM CHECK SYSTEM ON MY DASHBOARD GAVE ME NO INDICATION THAT THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. THE MECHANIC WHO WORKED ON AT THE MADISON TN BP SERVICE STATION SAID MY CAR SAID THAT HE WAS HAVING SEVERAL LINCOLN HAVING THE SAME TYPE PROBLEM ONE WAS IN RIGHT NEXT TO MINE AT THE TIME IT WAS WORKING ACORDING TO HIS COMP…

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THE TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM CHECK SYSTEM ON MY DASHBOARD GAVE ME NO INDICATION THAT THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. THE MECHANIC WHO WORKED ON AT THE MADISON TN BP SERVICE STATION SAID MY CAR SAID THAT HE WAS HAVING SEVERAL LINCOLN HAVING THE SAME TYPE PROBLEM ONE WAS IN RIGHT NEXT TO MINE AT THE TIME IT WAS WORKING ACORDING TO HIS COMPUTER MY GAUGES WORKED THEY JUST DIDNT SENSE ANY OVERHEATING I HAVE SPENT TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS TO CORRECT A BLOWN HEAD GASKET TWO FUEL INJECTORS AND A THERMOSTAT WATERPUMP AND TWO SPARK PLUGS AND TWO OXYGEN SENSORS ALL DUE TO THE CAR OVERHEATING I CONSTANTLY RAN A SYSTEM CHECK WITH MY ON DASH SYSTEM CHECK AND HAD ALL SYSTEM NORMAL NOW DUE TO THE CAR OVERHEATING WITH NO NOTICE THE GAUGE ON THE DASH READ TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE CENTER NOT HOT NOR TOO COLD EVEN WITH THE NEW PARTS THE CAR IS NOW HESITATING AND CUTTING OFF THE GAUGES SHOW CHECK ENGINE CHARGE SYSTEM BAD AND THE CAR CUTS OFF CONSTANTLY AND THE MECHANIC CAN'T SEEM TO FIX IT EACH TIME IT CUTS OFF HE KEEPS FINDING SOMETHING ELSE WRONG AND IS ASSOCIATING EACH WITH THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM OF THE CAR OVERHEATING LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A MAJOR COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEM ALSO IT HAS A NEW RADIATOR SO IT SEEMS THAT THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURERS DESIGN FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM NOT TO MENTION THE MINOR BRAKING AND STEEERING PROBLEMS I SEEM TO HAVE HERE LATELY HELP PLEASE I AM AT THE END OF MY ROPE HERE. THANKS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #724168

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2000
Suspension

AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM - I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT (DANGER). *AK

NHTSA ODI #721815

Official recalls

3

98V323000 · Structure:frame And Members

Dec 16, 1998

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

97V174000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Oct 7, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEATING POSITION SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THESE CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE SEAT BELT USAGE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.

91V134000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor

Aug 6, 1991

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

6

EA95033 · Faulty Seat Belt Buckles

Opened Oct 31, 1995 · Closed Oct 22, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE AN INABILITY TO LATCH SEAT BELT BUCKLES, AND INADVERTENT UNLATCHING OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE.

DP95004 · Alleged Defective Tie Rods

Opened Aug 8, 1995 · Closed Aug 30, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

EA94008 · Broken Tie Rods

Opened Feb 16, 1994 · Closed Feb 27, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE93058 · Broken Tie Rods

Opened Jun 15, 1993 · Closed Feb 16, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

EA92040 · SUB-FRM/UNIBODY Absor.fail

Opened Nov 30, 1992 · Closed Jun 30, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure

There is no summary currently available

Structure

There is no summary currently available

PE92014 · Engine Mount Failure

Opened Feb 4, 1992 · Closed Jun 25, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

There is no summary currently available