1989 Lincoln Continental problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 255 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 9.0 times the median Continental year — the 1989 model ranks #3 of 34 Continental years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 12 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across seat belts (44), electrical system (34), and engine (31), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

255

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other Continental years?

Continental NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Continental years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Lincoln Continental problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Seat Belts	44	17%	▲ up
Electrical System	34	13%	▼ down
Engine	31	12%	▲ up
Brakes	29	11%	— flat
Suspension	26	10%	▲ up
Steering	22	9%	▲ up
Transmission	15	6%	▲ up
Speed Control	11	4%	▲ up
Body & Structure	11	4%	— flat
Fuel System	7	3%	▲ up
Airbags	6	2%	▲ up
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	6	2%	▲ up
Lighting	5	2%	▲ up
Seats	2	1%	— flat
Tires & Wheels	2	1%	▼ down
Latches & Locks	2	1%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	2	1%	— flat

Does the 1989 Lincoln Continental have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

98V323000Body & StructureDecember 16, 1998 · 2,697,000 units

Defect

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

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.

97I003000Seat BeltsOctober 7, 1997 · 299,600 units

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. FORD IS INITIATING AN OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM THAT WILL PROVIDE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, 12 YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE, FOR ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES WITH FUNCTIONAL CONCERNS.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, FOR 12 YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE.

97V174000Seat BeltsOctober 7, 1997 · 63,400 units

Defect

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

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.

91V134000BrakesAugust 6, 1991 · 325,000 units

Defect

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

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.

89V048000Seat BeltsMarch 27, 1989 · 750 units

Defect

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

Consequence

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

Remedy

REINSTALL THE RETRACTOR ATTACHMENT BOLT.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“NHTSA RECALL # 98 V 323 000, SUBFRAME AND NHTSA RECALL #97 I 003 000, SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE RECEIVED FROM MANUFACTURER. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS AND WAS INFORMED NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE RECALL WAS TAKEN CARE OFF. CONSUMER RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL ON 22 SEP 99, AND TOOK VEHICLE IN TO…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · September 22, 1999

“I HAD SPENT ALL MY MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT'S IRREPERABLE AND LIABILITY INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER. NOW I HAVE NO MONEY AND NO CAR FOR MY 4-YEAR OLD AND I TO RUN ERRANDS IN.NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 22, 2002 · fire

“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”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 17, 1999 · fire

“POWER BOOSTER ASSEMBLY HAS A HIGH FAILURE RATE AND IS A TROUBLESOME SYSTEM PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIRES ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE WICH IS STRANGE FOR A 11 YEAR OLD VEHICLE CONSIDERING THE HIGH PROBLEM RATE OF THIS BRAKE SYSTEM. THE BRAKE BOOSTER OPERATES INTERMITENTLY. SINCE I AM A MECHANIC WORKING FOR…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 15, 1998

“ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BETWEEN 30-35 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR STRUT WENT OUT. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE SAFELY. THE STRUT WAS REPLACED. IN MAY OR JUNE OF 1997 THE LEFT REAR STRUT WENT OUT AND WAS REPLACED. IN JANUARY OF 1998, ONE OF THE FRONT STRUTS WENT OUT. THE STRUT HAS…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension

1989 Lincoln Continental — common questions

Is the 1989 Lincoln Continental reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 255 complaints put the 1989 model at #3 of 34 Continental years. It is one of the Continental years to avoid.

What are the most common 1989 Continental problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (44 complaints), electrical system (34 complaints), engine (31 complaints).

Does the 1989 Lincoln Continental have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Lincoln Continental. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 Lincoln Continental under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 8 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Lincoln Continental years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Continental years to avoid are 1991, 1994, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1992, 1988, 1997, 2000, 2017, 1995, 1998, 1996, 1999, 2002. The cleanest record among Continental years belongs to 1980.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1989 compare to other Continental years?

What are the most common 1989 Lincoln Continental problems?

Does the 1989 Lincoln Continental have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1989 Lincoln Continental — common questions

Is the 1989 Lincoln Continental reliable?

What are the most common 1989 Continental problems?

Does the 1989 Lincoln Continental have recalls?

Is the 1989 Lincoln Continental under NHTSA investigation?

Which Lincoln Continental years should you avoid?

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