IllustrationJUST RETURN FROM SHOPPING PULLED UP INTO THE DRIVEWAY, WENT INSIDE THE HOUSE, ALL OF A SUDDEN AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER INDICATED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. CHECKED AIR VAC SYSTEM.*AK
1991 Lincoln Continental
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Continental years
Owner complaints for the 1991 Lincoln Continental are substantially higher than the model-year median of 32.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Continental years →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: 4 of 203 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 41 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 reports19 fire reports5 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
11 reportsAIR BAG WARNING LAMP CONSTANTLY FLASHES. IT FLASHES SIX TIMES, PAUSES THEN GOES THRU SAME PATTERN. SHOP MANUAL INDICATES THERE IS A FAULT WITH DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG (DIAGNOSIS OF FAILED COMPONENT(S)IS DETAILED STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE). MY UNDERSTANDING IS THIS IS NOT A SINGULAR PROBLEM BUT IS SYMPTOMATIC OF THIS MAKE, MODEL & YEAR O…
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AIR BAG WARNING LAMP CONSTANTLY FLASHES. IT FLASHES SIX TIMES, PAUSES THEN GOES THRU SAME PATTERN. SHOP MANUAL INDICATES THERE IS A FAULT WITH DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG (DIAGNOSIS OF FAILED COMPONENT(S)IS DETAILED STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE). MY UNDERSTANDING IS THIS IS NOT A SINGULAR PROBLEM BUT IS SYMPTOMATIC OF THIS MAKE, MODEL & YEAR OF VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS CHRONIC PROBLEM.
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE AIR SUSPENSION BAGS WENT DOWN CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AND LOOSING CONTROL OF STEERING, NOT BEING ABLE TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT WHEEL. DEALER/MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. REPAIRS TO BE AT OWNERS EXPENSE. PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. PROVIDE…
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CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE AIR SUSPENSION BAGS WENT DOWN CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AND LOOSING CONTROL OF STEERING, NOT BEING ABLE TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT WHEEL. DEALER/MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. REPAIRS TO BE AT OWNERS EXPENSE. PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION...
REAR SUSPENSION KEEPS GOING DOWN, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE THE AIR BAGS RECHARGED TWICE, AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
WAS DRVING VEHICLE ABOUT 35MPH, HIT A TREE HEAD ON, DEAD CENTER. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR & PAVEMENT DRY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. IT RESULTED IN A FATALITY. *AK
HEARD LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHILE MAKING LEFT TURN, DIFFICULT STEERING VEHICLE, ACORDING TO DEALER, RACK/PINION NEEDED REPLACING, REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS RUSTED/CORROSION, NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL #93V106002.*AK CONSUMER STATED REAR SWAY BAR BROKE, AND AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPLACED.*JB
OIL LEAKS.
PURCHASE CAR USED WITH 5,000 MILES THE AIR BAG LIGHTS COME ON . TT
LAP/SHOULDER BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN IN ABOVE ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY.
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO HOLD DRIVER SECURE DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING IN INJURY.
Official recalls
398V323000 · 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.
97V025000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Feb 26, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
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.
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
7EA96024 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened Sep 30, 1996 · Closed Apr 15, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
PE96033 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened May 2, 1996 · Closed Sep 30, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.
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
PE93070 · Failure Of Wheel Studs
Opened Jul 27, 1993 · Closed Nov 22, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
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