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1989 Lincoln Continental

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Continental years

Owner complaints for the 1989 Lincoln Continental are substantially higher than the model-year median of 32.

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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: 2 of 158 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.

  • Seat Belts. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 26 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 reports18 fire reports7 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

11 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2002
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING, WHEN TRYING TO APPLY BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND IT WAS HARD FOR VEHICLE TO STOP, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHILE DRIVING ON THE FRREWAY, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PULL OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE, CONSUMER HIT SOME DEBRIS THAT W…

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WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING, WHEN TRYING TO APPLY BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND IT WAS HARD FOR VEHICLE TO STOP, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHILE DRIVING ON THE FRREWAY, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PULL OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE, CONSUMER HIT SOME DEBRIS THAT WAS IN THE LANE WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.*JB

NHTSA ODI #8017572

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2001
Electrical SystemEquipmentSeat Belts

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. THE ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES IN SIX MONTHS. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED. SOMETHING IS STILL DRAINING ALL OF THE POWER AWAY. THE FRONT-SEAT THREE-POINT SEAT BELTS GO SLACK WHILE DRIVING AND DO NOT RETRACT AFTER USE. FORD SAYS IT IS NOT A PROBLEM. THE FRONT AND REAR…

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THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. THE ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES IN SIX MONTHS. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED. SOMETHING IS STILL DRAINING ALL OF THE POWER AWAY. THE FRONT-SEAT THREE-POINT SEAT BELTS GO SLACK WHILE DRIVING AND DO NOT RETRACT AFTER USE. FORD SAYS IT IS NOT A PROBLEM. THE FRONT AND REAR AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN THE BACK END GOES WAY DOWN THEN BACK UP. THE FRONT OFTEN HAS ONE SIDE TO GO ALL THE WAY DOWN WHILE THE OTHER SIDE GOES ALL THE WAY UP. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR. THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REPLACED. STILL, IT CANNOT KEEP THE CAR ANYWHERE NEAR CONFORTABLE. THE WINDSHIELD GETS AN OILY FILM ON THE INSIDE THAT WON'T GO AWAY. FINALLY, THE SPEED CONTROL SOMETIMES STARTS ACCELERATING FOR NO REASON AND/OR WILL NOT DEACTIVATE WHEN "OFF" IS PRESSED. EHH, I GUESS THAT'S ABOUT IT FOR NOW. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THESE COMMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #749107

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2001
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHEN APPYLING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WILL NOT DOWN SHIFT, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #885441

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed ControlFire

WHILE DRIVING GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. CONSUMER PRESSED THE BRAKES, BUT BRAKES FAILED STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED AFTER DRIVING 4 MILES. GAS PEDAL STUCK AT LEAST FOUR TIMES *AK

NHTSA ODI #850249

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE AND WOULD NOT IDLE DOWN. NLM

NHTSA ODI #548989

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE PULLING OFF VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #834738

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 1998
SteeringVehicle Speed Control

I DID BUY THIS CAR AS IS, BUT ONLY TEST DROVE FIVE MILES. MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR HOME FROM THE DEALER AND TRIED THE CRUSIE CONTROL AND WHEN IT IS TURNED ON IT KEEPS GOING UP IN SPEED AND IS HARD TO SHUT OFF THIS IS VERY DANGERIOUS, ALSO THE STEERING TRYS TO LOCK WHEN GOING AROUND A CURVE. I PURCHASED THE CAR 11/12/98 AN CALLED TH…

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I DID BUY THIS CAR AS IS, BUT ONLY TEST DROVE FIVE MILES. MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR HOME FROM THE DEALER AND TRIED THE CRUSIE CONTROL AND WHEN IT IS TURNED ON IT KEEPS GOING UP IN SPEED AND IS HARD TO SHUT OFF THIS IS VERY DANGERIOUS, ALSO THE STEERING TRYS TO LOCK WHEN GOING AROUND A CURVE. I PURCHASED THE CAR 11/12/98 AN CALLED THE DEALER 11/14/98 TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT AND THE MANAGER SAID THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT, THEY HAD THE CAR FOUR DAYS AND I GOT IT BACK 11/20/98 AND IT WASN'T FIXED. WHEN I CALLED THEY SAID IT WOULD COST TO MUCH TO FIX AND THAT THEY UNHOOKED IT BUT IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING. I DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE STEERING TO THEM BUT NOW I FEEL THEY SOULD TAKE CARE OF BOTH PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY ARE SAFTEY RELATED AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #700794

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 1996
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

CLOCK SPRING SLIDING DOOR REPLACED. *SD

NHTSA ODI #503131

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 1995
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

AIR CONDITIONER REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #484926

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 1995
Fuel System, OtherSuspensionVehicle Speed Control

GASOLINE GAUGE GIVES INACURATE READINGS.

NHTSA ODI #484620

Official recalls

4

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.

97V174000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Oct 7, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEATING POSITION SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.

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.

89V048000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor

Mar 27, 1989

THE LEFT SIDE, REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY BE IMPROPERLY SECURED AND COULD PULL FREE OF ITS MOUNTING LOCATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OCCUPANT, THOUGH STILL RESTRAINED BY THE LAP PORTION OFTHE BELT, WOULD NOT HAVE UPPER BODY PROTECTION.

Remedy: REINSTALL THE RETRACTOR ATTACHMENT BOLT.

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

8

EA95033 · Faulty Seat Belt Buckles

Opened Oct 31, 1995 · Closed Oct 22, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE AN INABILITY TO LATCH SEAT BELT BUCKLES, AND INADVERTENT UNLATCHING OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE.

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

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

PE92056 · SUB-FRM/UNIBODY Absor.fail

Opened Jul 1, 1992 · Closed Nov 30, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

PE92014 · Engine Mount Failure

Opened Feb 4, 1992 · Closed Jun 25, 1992

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

There is no summary currently available

PE89026 · Air Suspension Failure

Opened Dec 20, 1988 · Closed Apr 12, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available