RoadVitals

1990 Lincoln Continental Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
158
Latest Feb 23, 2005
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
20
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 2, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 158 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Lincoln Continental. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 158 · page 1 of 7

Airbags
Filed Feb 23, 2005
1 injury reported2 deaths reported

NOT WORKING. NO SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10112015
Incident
May 31, 2003
Mileage
7,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 5, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

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

NHTSA ID
10099488
Incident
Oct 22, 2004
Mileage
110,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 15, 2004

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 APPROPRIATE GEAR. BEFORE I DECIDED TO TAKE MY CAR TO A DEALER TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED, I CHECKED THE FLUID TO ENSURE THAT THE LEVEL WAS CORRECT, AND TO CHECK THE COLOR OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. BOTH WERE FOUND TO BE IN GOOD ORDER. THEN I CHECKED WWW.ALLDATA.COM AND FOUND THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THROUGH A CHECK OF THE FOLLOWING SERVICE BULLETINS: ATRATB331; ATRATB267; 94247; ATRATB029; AND 89225. BECAUSE OF THE SERVICE BULLETINS MENTIONED ABOVE, FORD WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS AND FAILED TO TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS. AS A CONSUMER, I WOULD LIKE FORD TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AT NO COST TO MYSELF. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. ON 12 DECEMBER 2002 WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND SMELLED WIRES BURNING. I PULLED OVER IN A PARKING LOT OF A SHOPPING CENTER RIGHT WHEN THE COMPUTER SIGNALED THAT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS HIGHER THAN NORMAL. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND OPEN THE HOOD TO LOOK FOR THE BURNED WIRED. THE ELECTRIC ENGINE FAN HAD SEIZED UP AND STARTED TO MELT THE WIRES. THE FUSE HAD FAILED TO BLOW, AND I HAD TO UNPLUG THE FAN FROM THE WIRING HARNESS TO KEEP THE WIRES FROM BURNING MORE.

NHTSA ID
10069823
Incident
Dec 15, 2002
Body & structure
Filed Sep 11, 2002

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

NHTSA ID
8018385
Incident
Sep 6, 2002
EngineSuspension
Filed Sep 18, 2001

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

NHTSA ID
752346
Incident
Jul 26, 2001
Airbags
Filed Mar 29, 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

NHTSA ID
884566
Incident
Dec 28, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Mar 7, 2001

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

NHTSA ID
882425
Incident
Mar 1, 2001
Suspension
Filed Feb 28, 2001

REAR AIR SPRINGS HAVE BLOWEN OUT, CAUSING REAR END TO BOUNCE AND HAS DROPPED LOW TO GROUND. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
881750
Body & structure
Filed Feb 27, 2001

TIRED PRESSURE IS A MESS. THE VEHICLE GOES UP AND DOWN WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT. *AK

NHTSA ID
741609
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 22, 2001

HEADIGHTS HAVE AN INSERTED BULB, AND LENS COVER DETERIORATE IN COLOR/DIRT, AND OTHER DEBRIS WOULD GET INSIDE. ALSO, CAUSED A PROBLEM WITH LIGHTING. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, AND NOT READILY NOTICEABLE. *AK MOISTURE COLLECTS INSIDE OF THE LENS COVER, FURTHER LIMITING THE HED LIGHT ILLUMINATION. *YH

NHTSA ID
881180
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 10, 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

NHTSA ID
877956
Incident
Jan 10, 2001
EngineVisibility
Filed Dec 28, 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

NHTSA ID
877147
Incident
Dec 26, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 7, 2000

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 ID
557959
Electrical
Filed Nov 6, 2000

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

NHTSA ID
735881
Incident
Nov 1, 2000
Seat belts
Filed Sep 14, 2000

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

NHTSA ID
554640
Electrical
Filed Jul 24, 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

NHTSA ID
865875
Incident
Jun 24, 2000
Engine
Filed Jul 14, 2000

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 ID
725438
Incident
May 27, 2000
AirbagsSuspension
Filed Jun 19, 2000
1 injury reported1 death reported

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 ID
724211
Incident
Sep 20, 1998
Engine
Filed Jun 18, 2000

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 ID
724168
Incident
Jun 3, 2000
Suspension
Filed Apr 22, 2000

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

NHTSA ID
721815
Incident
Aug 13, 1999
AirbagsSuspension
Filed Apr 22, 2000

AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM-AIR BAGS- DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK PROPERLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
721814
Incident
Aug 13, 1999
Engine
Filed Apr 20, 2000

WHEN DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY CONSUMER NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MANAGED TO GET OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. 8AK

NHTSA ID
860663
Suspension
Filed Apr 10, 2000

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH VEHICLE WILL START VIBRATING. WHEN PASSING 30 MPH THERE WILL BE LESS VIBRATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
860027
Incident
Apr 10, 2000
Steering
Filed Apr 8, 2000
Fire reported

POSITON OF POWER STEERING LINES IS SUCH THAT WHEN THEY FAIL THEY CAN CAUSE A FIRE TO OCCUR. *AK

NHTSA ID
721186
Incident
May 23, 1999
Engine
Filed Apr 6, 2000

THE FORD 3.8L V6 HAS KNOWN HIGH INCIDENCE OF PREMATURE FAILURE WITH THIS COMPONENT -- THE HEAD GASKET. MY EXPENSES TO REPAIR THIS COMPONENT WERE 1371.77 SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY FOR 9000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THEY HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE AND/OR SALES INCENTIVES TO 1994/1995 OWNERS, BUT WILL NOT EXTEND THE SAME CONSIDERATION OR COMPENSATION TO OWNERS OF OLDER VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THE SAME CONDITION. I AM SEEKING THE SAME INCLUSION OF MY MODEL YEAR UNDER THE SAME SETTLEMENT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT FORD DENIES THE EXISTENCE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT RATHER FEELS THAT THE PURPOSE OF THIS CMPENSATION IS TO INFLUENCE FUTURE PURCHASES, AND THAT CONSIDERATION MADE ON ANY VEHICLE PURCHASED BEFORE 1994 NO LONGER REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT OWNER RETENSION / MARKETING OPPORTUNITY. *AK

NHTSA ID
721106
Incident
Aug 21, 1995

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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