IllustrationFRONT & REAR BRAKE DRUMS STICKING WHEN SLOWING DOWN, & NOT RELEASING.
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
Compare all Continental years →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 reportsTO:LINCOLN AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY ENGINEERS I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 1991 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION A SAFETY ISSUE THAT EFFECTS MANY LARGE INDIVIDUALS THAT DRIVE AUTOMOBILES. AS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH TWO ACADEMIC DEGREES IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, I COULD NOT SIT BY WITHOUT EVALUATING THE CAUSE OF…
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TO:LINCOLN AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY ENGINEERS I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 1991 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION A SAFETY ISSUE THAT EFFECTS MANY LARGE INDIVIDUALS THAT DRIVE AUTOMOBILES. AS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH TWO ACADEMIC DEGREES IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, I COULD NOT SIT BY WITHOUT EVALUATING THE CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE AND PASS ALONG SOME HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT. IT SEEMS THAT THE LENGTH OF THE SEATBELT IS INADEQUATE TO ALLOW ENGAGEMENT, LEAVING ME IN A VERY UNSAFE POSITION WHEN DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED NUMEROUS CARS AND TRUCKS AND HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE THE CASE IN ONLY TWO OF THEM. ONE IS MY PRESENT CAR, THE 1991 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL, AND THE OTHER WAS A 1997 FULL SIZE DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCK. THE BASIC PROBLEM IS LACK OF BELT LENGTH TO WRAP AROUND THE MID-DRIFT OF A LARGE PERSON. IT IS DISTURBING TO THINK THAT EVEN AN AVERAGE SIZED PREGNANT WOMAN MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH THIS SAME ISSUE IN YOUR VEHICLE. IN MY CASE, THE SEAT IS IN THE FULL REAR POSITION AND I HAVE AMPLE ROOM BETWEEN MY MID-DRIFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL (ABOUT 2-3 INCHES). I DO CONSIDER MYSELF A LARGE MAN, BUT I ALSO BELIEVE THAT A SEATBELT SHOULD BE ABLE TO PERFORM FLAWLESSLY WITH ANY TYPE OF BODY STYLE THAT CAN COMFORTABLY OPERATE YOUR AUTOMOBILE. WHAT IS THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM? REDESIGN THE SEATBELTS WITH LONGER BELTS. AS AN ENGINEER, I WOULD SAY THAT ANOTHER 16" WOULD SUFFICE. I HOPE THAT THESE OBSERVATIONS MAY HELP YOU MAKE A BETTER PRODUCT FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS. A LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND DODGE RAM TRUCK ARE BOTH LARGE VEHICLES DRIVEN BY LARGE PEOPLE, LETS MAKE THEM SAFE AS WELL. I WILL ALSO EMAIL COPIES OF THIS LETTER TO YOUR SALES AND MARKETING DEPARTMENT, AND VARIOUS SAFETY ORGANIZATIONS. HOPEFULLY YOUR ENGINEERS WILL FIND THIS INFORMATION USEFUL. I WOULD ALSO APPRECIATE IF YOUR ENGINEERS COULD MAKE UP A 12-16" SEATBELT EXTENSION THAT I COULD USE TO ENGAGE MY RESTRAINT SYSTEM. IT WOULD BE A FINE TOKEN OF FORD'S DEDICATION TO SAFETY.
DURING THE INITIAL WARRANTY PERIOD AT 45000 MILES THE HEADS ON THE VEHICLE WERE BLOWN DUE TO THE MANUFACTURE PROBLEM WHICH WAS FOUND OUT THROUGH THE DEALER. AND AFTER 40000 MILES THE PROBLEM IS OCURRING ONCE AGAIN. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS 84000 MILES, THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MUCH OF A PROBLEM. LINCOOLN HAS NOTHING BUT P…
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DURING THE INITIAL WARRANTY PERIOD AT 45000 MILES THE HEADS ON THE VEHICLE WERE BLOWN DUE TO THE MANUFACTURE PROBLEM WHICH WAS FOUND OUT THROUGH THE DEALER. AND AFTER 40000 MILES THE PROBLEM IS OCURRING ONCE AGAIN. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS 84000 MILES, THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MUCH OF A PROBLEM. LINCOOLN HAS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADS ON THESE 6 CYL VEHICLES. PLEASE HELP
RACK AND PINION STEERING WENT OUT, CAUSING THE FRONT TIRES TO GO IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. DEALER HAS TO REPLACED RACK AND PINION STEERING. *AK
CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT DEALER REPAIRED REAR SURFAME CORROSION, BUT REFUSED TO CORRECT THE SAME PROBLEM TO FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER.*AK
BRAKE ROTORS REPAIRED. MJS
THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION WHEN THE RECALL HAPPENED. HOWEVER, THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AT TIMES AND WHEN I CALLED THEY INDICATED THAT THE NEW TRANSMISSION ONLY HAD A 12 MONTH WARRANTY? I KNOW THAT LINCOLN WARRANTS THEIR VEHICLES LONGER THEN 12 MONTHS ON REPLACEMENT WHEN IT WAS A RECALL / A DEFECT IN THE ORI…
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THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION WHEN THE RECALL HAPPENED. HOWEVER, THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AT TIMES AND WHEN I CALLED THEY INDICATED THAT THE NEW TRANSMISSION ONLY HAD A 12 MONTH WARRANTY? I KNOW THAT LINCOLN WARRANTS THEIR VEHICLES LONGER THEN 12 MONTHS ON REPLACEMENT WHEN IT WAS A RECALL / A DEFECT IN THE ORIGINAL PART? PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT THE WARRANTY SHOULD BE. THANK YOU. *AK
VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING A HIGH IDLE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE THROTTLE BODY STICKING. THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TRANSMISSION COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT THE THROTTLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
DUE TO THE STRESS FROM SUBFRAME CORROSION , THE ENGINE LIFTED, RESULTING IN DIFFICULT STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED UNDER RECALL 98V323. THE DEALER WILL REPAIR VEHICLE . *AK
THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, MECHANIC REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS TWICE. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Official recalls
398V323000 · 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
7EA96024 · 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