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1991 Lincoln Continental

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Continental years

Owner complaints for the 1991 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: 4 of 203 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 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 41 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 reports19 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

203 reports
39,800 miles · Dec 8, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

1991 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WITH 39,800 ORIGINAL OWNER MILES. HEAD GASKET BLEW. COOLANT COMING OUT OF EXHAUST PIPES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10175635

156,000 miles · Feb 15, 2005
Structure

AS I STARTED OFF FROM A STOP SIGN ON 7/21/04. I HEARD A LOUD SOUND FROM UNDER MY CAR. I GOT AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR BUT COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG, SINCE IT WAS DARK, SO I GOT BACK IN AND STARTED OUT AGAIN BUT I DIDN'T HAVE ANY POWER STEERING. I REASONED SOMETHING HAD BROKEN IN THE POWER STEERING UNIT. SINCE I WAS ONLY TW…

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AS I STARTED OFF FROM A STOP SIGN ON 7/21/04. I HEARD A LOUD SOUND FROM UNDER MY CAR. I GOT AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR BUT COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG, SINCE IT WAS DARK, SO I GOT BACK IN AND STARTED OUT AGAIN BUT I DIDN'T HAVE ANY POWER STEERING. I REASONED SOMETHING HAD BROKEN IN THE POWER STEERING UNIT. SINCE I WAS ONLY TWO BLOCKS FROM HOME I DECIDED TO TRY TO LIMP THE CAR HOME. I GOT A FLASH LIGHT AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR. I FOUND THE REAR OF THE SUB FRAME HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM THE BODY, AND WAS ONLY A COUPLE OF INCHES OFF THE GROUND. THE FRAME APPEARED TO BE HELD UP BY THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I CALLED THE LINCOLN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SUBFRAME OF MY CAR BUT IT WAS ONLY GOOD IN 25 STATES AND UTAH WAS NOT INCLUDED. I TALKED TO TWO PEOPLE AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME EITHER. THE RECALL WAS 98S36. I FEEL THAT THE FACT THAT MY SUBFRAME BROKE LOOSE AND I LOST MY STEERING SHOULD BE ENOUGH EVIDENCE OF A SAFETY ISSUE REGARDLESS OF WHEN OR WHERE IT OCCURRED. *AK THE LEFT MOUNTING BOLT PULLED THROUGH THE LOWER WASHER. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10088975

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainStructure

1991 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR RECALL FOR MOTOR MOUNTS, SUB-FRAME SUPPORT PLATE, TRANSMISSION CABLE, AND MOUNT CORROSION. DEALERSHIP WILLING TO FIX SUB-FRAME PLATE AND CABLE, BUT WILL NOT FIX MOTOR MOUNTS, STATING THAT THE 6 YEAR OR 60,000 MILES HAS EXPIRED AND THAT THE CAR IS TOO OLD…

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1991 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR RECALL FOR MOTOR MOUNTS, SUB-FRAME SUPPORT PLATE, TRANSMISSION CABLE, AND MOUNT CORROSION. DEALERSHIP WILLING TO FIX SUB-FRAME PLATE AND CABLE, BUT WILL NOT FIX MOTOR MOUNTS, STATING THAT THE 6 YEAR OR 60,000 MILES HAS EXPIRED AND THAT THE CAR IS TOO OLD. PLEASE HELP INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. *TT *NM

NHTSA ODI #10128098

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2004
Suspension

FRONT SUSPENSION WENT OUT. HAD IT REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT DEALER, OVER 2000.00. NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, REAR GOES OUT. THIS IS VERY UNFAIR TOO THE CONSUMER. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10081208

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

I HAD JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A PRIVATE OWNER FOR MY SISTER TO DRIVE TO WORK. WELL NOT EVEN BEFORE WE GOT HOME THE MAIN EEC IV COMPUTER DIED SO THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN. ONCE WE FIGURED OUT IT WAS THE MAIN COMPUTER AND REPLACED IT IT RAN FINE. BUT WE STILL HAD TWO BAD FRONT AIR STRUTS TO FIX. AFTER ALL THAT SHE FINALLY GOT TO DRI…

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I HAD JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A PRIVATE OWNER FOR MY SISTER TO DRIVE TO WORK. WELL NOT EVEN BEFORE WE GOT HOME THE MAIN EEC IV COMPUTER DIED SO THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN. ONCE WE FIGURED OUT IT WAS THE MAIN COMPUTER AND REPLACED IT IT RAN FINE. BUT WE STILL HAD TWO BAD FRONT AIR STRUTS TO FIX. AFTER ALL THAT SHE FINALLY GOT TO DRIVE IT TO WORK AND THE FIRST DAY SHE DROVE THE CAR SHE DID NOT EVEN MAKE IT HOME BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION JUST STOPPED WORKING. SO SHE IS OUT A CAR AND WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. BECAUSE OF ALL THE OTHER CARS MY POOR SISTER HAS OWNED DRAINED US.

NHTSA ODI #10070664

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentUnknown Or Other

I BLEW A HEAD GASKET & THE DCL WENT OUT. LINCOLN SAYS THAT THEY CANT REPLACE THIS PART (DCL)

NHTSA ODI #10069980

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

PEELING PAINT AND HEAD GASKETS FAILED POSSIBLY A CRACKED HEAD

NHTSA ODI #10068792

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

REQUEST FOR DATABASE INFO WITH HISTORY RESOLUTION ATTEMPTS. *MR THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE 3.8 LITER V6 ENGINES. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE ORIGINAL ALUMINUM HEADS FOR THE ENGINE HAD AN ADDITIONAL FLAW WHICH WAS A SHARPLY MACHINED TRANSITION LINE RUNNING THE FULL LENGTH OF THE HEADS, WHICH CAUSED THE HEADS TO CRACK AL…

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REQUEST FOR DATABASE INFO WITH HISTORY RESOLUTION ATTEMPTS. *MR THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE 3.8 LITER V6 ENGINES. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE ORIGINAL ALUMINUM HEADS FOR THE ENGINE HAD AN ADDITIONAL FLAW WHICH WAS A SHARPLY MACHINED TRANSITION LINE RUNNING THE FULL LENGTH OF THE HEADS, WHICH CAUSED THE HEADS TO CRACK ALONG THAT LINE WHEN OVERHEATED. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10053891

133,451 miles · Aug 16, 2003
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SUDDEN FAILURE WITH NO WARNING. IT HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER WE EXITED THE FREEWAY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10032952

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2003
Power Train

FAILURE: 05-23-03 I WAS DRIVING ON I-475 NORTH IN THE FARTHEREST LEFT HAND LANE, WHEN THERE WAS A STALLING MOTION. IT WAS SO UNEXPECTED THAT IT MADE MY 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND MYSELF JUMP. I MANAGED TO SLOW DOWN IN TRAFFIC AND PULL TO THE RIGHT HAND EMERGENCY LANE. WHEN I TRIED PULLING BACK INTO TRAFFIC TO MAKE IT TO THE NE…

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FAILURE: 05-23-03 I WAS DRIVING ON I-475 NORTH IN THE FARTHEREST LEFT HAND LANE, WHEN THERE WAS A STALLING MOTION. IT WAS SO UNEXPECTED THAT IT MADE MY 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND MYSELF JUMP. I MANAGED TO SLOW DOWN IN TRAFFIC AND PULL TO THE RIGHT HAND EMERGENCY LANE. WHEN I TRIED PULLING BACK INTO TRAFFIC TO MAKE IT TO THE NEXT EXIT, THE LINCOLN WOULD NOT MOVE. LUCKILY, I HAD MY WORK CELLULAR TELEPHONE AND CALLED 911. 911 TRANSFERRED THE CALL TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, AND SOMEONE CAME TO TRY TO HELP. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 3 MONTHS. THE ORIGINAL OWNERS WERE IN THEIR 70'S. PRIOR TO SELLING THE LINCOLN A MOTOR HAD BEEN INSTALLED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10021078

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.

97V025000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Feb 26, 1997

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.

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

7

EA96024 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires

Opened Sep 30, 1996 · Closed Apr 15, 1997

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

There is no summary currently available

PE96033 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires

Opened May 2, 1996 · Closed Sep 30, 1996

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

IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.

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

PE93070 · Failure Of Wheel Studs

Opened Jul 27, 1993 · Closed Nov 22, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

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