1990 Lincoln Continental: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 158 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (19% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 158 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While driving under normal driving conditions driver's side air bag deployed without the vehicle being impacted. When the air bag deployed it shattered the driver's glasses, reducing his visibility. As a result, vehicle swerved to the right, went up and embankment 20 feet, and landed 70 feet down the road. Driver sustained serious burns to back, neck and hand. The emergency medical service (ems) had to peel the air bag off the driver's face, neck, and hand. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2004
“This vehicle is experiencing the same defect as stated in recall 98/v/323/000 for subframe corrosion. However, since vehicle was purchased in arkansas it was not included in recall.*ak”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2002
“On the internet it stated ford had callbacks for all3.8 engines for headgasket problems but only recalled a few VIN numbers. How could they get away with that? You and I and every mecchanic knows the problem with the 3.8 engine by ford why cant some thing be done. I wasnt told of anything about this. Lucky I was driving not my daughter. She would have diven till it burned the motor up. And the air shocks at $ 4,000 for the 4 of them thats another farce. Cant you make them at least install at cost ? My engine overheated as I was driving on the pa. Turnpike lucky I pulled over and got towed with a $350 bill.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2001
Show 7 more owner reports
“Recall 98 v 323 000/subframe corrosion: while being serviced for an oil change noticed subframe failure; dealer and manufacturer were notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under a recall. *ak the vehicle's body and under carriage were free of rust, but the exhaust system had rust. *yh”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2001
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2001
“Airbag light has been flashing off and on. *ak the consumer states that according to information on the web the 1990 models had recalled for bad modules. *yh”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2000
“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”Owner report · Visibility · Dec 2000
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2000
“While driving at 35 mph without prior warning,and upon pulling into a dealer's parking lot, consumer noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Popped open the hood, and there was a fire. Dealer put out the fire. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 1999
“Received recall 97v174000 in mail. Contacted dealership. Was informed vehicle had to be brought into dealer's to check what to order. Would have to bring vehicle back 2nd time for installation. Had no parts available. Contacted manufacturer who agreed with dealership. Notice does not state to bring vehicle back twice. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. FORD IS INITIATING AN OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM THAT WILL PROVIDE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, 12 YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE, FOR ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES WITH FUNCTIONAL CONCERNS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, FOR 12 YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEATING POSITION SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.
THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Remedy: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
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.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
How other years compare
Check your exact Continental by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Lincoln Continental reliable?
NHTSA has 158 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Lincoln Continental. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Lincoln Continental problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 58,500 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Lincoln Continental have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:buckle assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.