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1990 Lincoln ContinentalProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 158 owner complaints about the 1990 Lincoln Continental, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

32
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.1× the Continental median · #4 of 19 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints15827 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem40Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 23, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Lincoln Continental has problems

158 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling405
Suspension281
Seat belts251
Steering203
Electrical system186
Vehicle speed control142
Structure140
Power train121
Air bags104
8 other systems302

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1990 Lincoln Continental recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Structure: frame and members

Recall 98V-323 · Dec 16, 1998 · 2,697,000 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 97V-174 · Oct 7, 1997 · 63,400 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Disc: rotor

Recall 91V-134 · Aug 6, 1991 · 325,000 vehicles

Risk. SEVERELY CORRODED ROTORS MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE NEARTHE INNER EDGES OF THE BRAKE DISCS RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS,HIGHER THAN NORMAL PEDAL…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lincoln.

Best & worst years

1990 vs. every other Continental year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Continental median. How we score

'69'74'75'77'78'79'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'17'18'19'20
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1990 Lincoln Continental safety ratings

1990 Lincoln Continental 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1990 Lincoln Continental, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODSDP95004 · closed Aug 30, 1995
    No recall
  2. SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAILEA92040 · closed Jun 30, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-106
  3. BROKEN TIE RODSEA94008 · closed Feb 27, 1995
    No recall
  4. FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLESEA95033 · closed Oct 22, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-174
  5. ENGINE MOUNT FAILUREPE92014 · closed Jun 25, 1992
    No recall
  6. BROKEN TIE RODSPE93058 · closed Feb 16, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What Continental owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I PURCHASED A 1990 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL IN DECEMBER 2002, AND NOTICED THAT DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE REVS VERY HIGH AND THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE THE OVERDRIVE. I ALSO NOTICED THAT SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE OR DRIVE TO RVERSE, THERE IS A DELAY IN THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGING THE…
Complaint 10069823 · Jan 15, 2004
HAD MOTOR MOUNTS RECALL DONE, MOUNTS ARE CRACKED AGAIN. TT CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT MTOR MOUNTS FAILED AGAIN BECAUSE DEALER FAILED TO PROVIDE REINFORCEMENT AS DESCRIBED INT HE RECALL NOTIFICATION NO REINFORCEMENT PLATES WERE INSTALLED ON THE FIRST RECALL WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.*JB
Complaint 977881 · Jan 19, 1996
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
Complaint 877147 · Dec 28, 2000

Own a 1990 Continental?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.