VehicleVerdict

1990 Lincoln Continental problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 244 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.6 times the median Continental year — the 1990 model ranks #4 of 34 Continental years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 10 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (48), suspension (32), and seat belts (27), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

244

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

6

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

16

Fires reported

10

Injuries

4

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other Continental years?

Continental NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted399 complaints1969: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 1 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 2 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 9 complaints1985: 18 complaints1986: 8 complaints1987: 14 complaints1988: 147 complaints1989: 255 complaints1990: 244 complaints1991: 399 complaints1992: 199 complaints1993: 200 complaints1994: 303 complaints1995: 94 complaints1996: 69 complaints1997: 109 complaints1998: 88 complaints1999: 46 complaints2000: 108 complaints2001: 38 complaints2002: 43 complaints2017: 99 complaints2018: 20 complaints2019: 37 complaints2020: 7 complaints
Continental NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Continental years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 Lincoln Continental problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4820%
Suspension3213%
Seat Belts2711%
Electrical System2510%
Steering239%
Body & Structure156%
Speed Control146%
Transmission135%
Brakes115%
Airbags104%
Visibility & Wipers104%
Fuel System52%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)42%
Other31%
Lighting21%
Latches & Locks10%
Tires & Wheels10%

Does the 1990 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.

90E043001AirbagsOctober 30, 1990 · 172,000 units

Defect

THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.

Consequence

INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ENGINE MOUNTS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS NEW. THEY WERE REPLACED TWICE UNDER WARRANTY AND THEN IN1 995 AGAIN UNDER THE RECALL 92M77, NHTSA# SBO30958. IT SEEMS AS IF THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY DECIDED TO KEEP REPLACING THE SYMPTON(BROKEN MOUNTS) UNTIL ALL THE WARRANTIES RAN OUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 4, 1999

“WHILE DRIVING AT LESS THAN 30MPH, THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION BAG BLEW OUT, AND BODY OF CAR DROPPED ONTO REAR TIRES, ROUGH TO HANDLE, BODY WAS CUTTING INTO BOTH REAR TIRES, VEHICLE IS UNDRIVEABLE. DEALER CONTACTED AND QUOTED $1600 TO REPAIR AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · January 9, 1999

“RECEIVED RECALL 97V174000 IN MAIL. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED VEHICLE HAD TO BE BROUGHT INTO DEALER'S TO CHECK WHAT TO ORDER. WOULD HAVE TO BRING VEHICLE BACK 2ND TIME FOR INSTALLATION. HAD NO PARTS AVAILABLE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER WHO AGREED WITH DEALERSHIP. NOTICE DOES NOT STATE TO BRING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · October 8, 1999

“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES, PARKED VEHICLE, AND AND WAS CALLED BY A NEIGHBOR APPROXIMATELY 8 MINUTES LATER, INFORMING HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS NOT TOTALLED, BUT FIRE HAD DAMAGED UNDERHOOD WIRES AND OTHER AREAS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 21, 1997 · fire

“POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKS AND MAKES A HIGH PITCH SOUND WHEN DRIVING. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR AND DEALER SAID NEEDED TO REPLACE PUMP AND THREE HOSES THAT CONNECT TO THE PUMP STEERING MECHANISM. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 13, 1995

1990 Lincoln Continental — common questions

Is the 1990 Lincoln Continental reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 244 complaints put the 1990 model at #4 of 34 Continental years. It is one of the Continental years to avoid.

What are the most common 1990 Continental problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (48 complaints), suspension (32 complaints), seat belts (27 complaints).

Does the 1990 Lincoln Continental have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 Lincoln Continental. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1990 Lincoln Continental under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 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.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.