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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

158 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 1999
Structure

WHEN CAR IS IDLING THE ENGINE VIBRATES. REAR MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED 3 OR 4 YEARS AGO UNDER RECALL. COMSUMER EXPEREINCING SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. RECALL 93V-106.002. BOTH DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #834425

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT WILL STOP AND GO. ENGINE IS VERY NOISY. ONLY TWO GEARS WORK AND DOES NOT GO INTO OVERDRIVE. DEALER NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #834330

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 1999
Suspension

THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE HAD DROPPED, DROPPING VEHICLE LOW TO THE GROUND AND MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR THE GAS TANK TO SCRAPE THE GROUND. DEALER SAYS THE VEHICLE NEEDS NEW AIR SHOCKS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #834011

Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SOME TYPE OF AN ELECTRICAL BOOSTER MOTOR FAILED ATTACHED TO THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CAR COULD NOT BE STOPPED , A GREST DEAL OF PRESSURE WAS NEEDED JUST TO MAKE IT SLOW DOWN. I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT THERE IS NO SAFETY RECALL ON THIS, BUT THE DEALER SAYS NO IS THIS TRUE AND IF SO WHY NOT? *AK

NHTSA ODI #702570

Mileage unknown · Dec 25, 1998
Steering

I PURCHASED THE CAR AT 87,300 MILES AND PUT 1500-2000 MILES ON IT. WORKED LIKE A DREAM = PREVIOUS OWNER SAID HE HAD TAKEN CARE OF CERTAIN PROBLEMS THAT LINCOLN MERCURY SAID COULD POSSIBLE BE WRONG WITH THIS YEAR MODEL. (HAD RECEIPTS) - AT AN OIL CHANGE I WAS INFORMED THAT IT NEEDED LOOKING AT DUE TO A POWER STEERING LEAK - TOO…

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I PURCHASED THE CAR AT 87,300 MILES AND PUT 1500-2000 MILES ON IT. WORKED LIKE A DREAM = PREVIOUS OWNER SAID HE HAD TAKEN CARE OF CERTAIN PROBLEMS THAT LINCOLN MERCURY SAID COULD POSSIBLE BE WRONG WITH THIS YEAR MODEL. (HAD RECEIPTS) - AT AN OIL CHANGE I WAS INFORMED THAT IT NEEDED LOOKING AT DUE TO A POWER STEERING LEAK - TOOK IT IN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC "THE BENZ CONNECTION" AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE POWER STEERING RACK - HAD IT CHANGED AND STILL A MAJOR PROBLEM. SO THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING HOSE - THEN NO POWER STEERING. TOOK IT BACK - THEY REPLACED THE RACK ANOTHER COUPLE OF TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS - THEY TOOK IT TO BILL GILL AND THEY REPLACED THE RACK ANOTHER COUPLE OF TIMES AND THEN RETURNED IT TO ME AT 89,295 MILES - AFTER 12 WEEKS WITHOUT A CAR. POWER STEERING WAS STILL VERY HARD AND HAS SOFTENED SOMEWHAT, HOWEVER THEN THE SUSPENSION DROPPED AND POWER STEERING CAME BACK ALTHOUGH STILL "HARD AT TIMES" NOW NO SUSPENSION (RIDE CONTOL) AND AFTER BOUNCING FOR A WEEK THE DIRECT COMPUTER LINK HAS GONE OUT - - - I THINK PERHAPS FROM THE BOUNCING TO THE UNIT? THE CAR SITS ABOUT 5" FROM THE GROUND --- I HAVE KEPT IN CONTACT WITH BILL GILL AND THE BENZ CONNECTION AND WAITED THE THREE WEEKS THAT BILL GILL SAID I SHOULD TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO THE STEERING. WELL, NOW I HAVE ALL THESE MAJOR PROBLEMS - THE DCL JUST WENT OUT TODAY 12/25/1998. BILL GILL DID NOT RETURN MY CALL OF 12/22/1998. I SPENT SEVERAL HOURS ON THE LINE WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE AT LINCOLN MERCURY ON 11/25/98 AND WHEN I CALLED THEM BACK ON 12/22/98 THEY HAD NO RECORD OF MY CONVERSATIONS OTHER THAN I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. ON 12/24/98 I MAILED A LETTER CERTIFIED MAIL TO LINCOLN MERCURY( UNFORTUNATELY I JUST FOUND OUT THAT I HAD PUT IN AN "R" INSTEAD OF A "4" FOR THE EIGHTH DIGIT IN THE VIN). TODAY I FOUND THIS ON THE INTERNET./ PLEASE HELP ME.... THANKS./ - FOR SOME REASON THE RECAP SAYS THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED - BUT I DID NOT SELECT THAT AT ALL.... DID

NHTSA ODI #701592

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 · Sep 25, 1998
Seat Belts

HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#97I003000) IN MAY. CONTACTED DEALER. INFORMED NO PARTS AVAILABLE. WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN PARTS COME IN. SO FAR NOTHING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #828233

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

STARTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AFTER GOING 30MPH. ROTORS SNAPPED LOOSE FROM HUB. OWNER CHANGED ROTORS ON FRONT. BRAKES WERE PAPER THIN. 2ND ROTOR HAD SNAPPED ALSO. DID NOT TAKE TO DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #828146

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1998
Seat Belts

VEHICLE IS INCLUDED UNDER RECALL 97V174, SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE DEALER HAS NOT ORDERED PARTS TO REPAIR THE RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #826508

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 1998
Electrical SystemFire

AFTER CONSUMER HAD DRIVEN VEHICLE ABOUT 30 MINUTES, PARKED VEHICLE TO GO INTO STORE. WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE- THE WIRING MELTED AND THE WHOLE FRONT WAS BURNED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #826451

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