VehicleVerdict

1991 Lincoln Continental problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 399 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 14.0 times the median Continental year — the 1991 model ranks #1 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 13 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (67), suspension (54), and brakes (53), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

399

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

7

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

21

Fires reported

13

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Continental years?

Continental NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 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, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Continental years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Lincoln Continental problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine6717%
Suspension5414%
Brakes5313%
Transmission4612%
Electrical System349%
Body & Structure297%
Steering277%
Visibility & Wipers195%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)133%
Airbags123%
Seat Belts92%
Other92%
Speed Control82%
Fuel System62%
Tires & Wheels51%
Lighting31%
Seats31%
Latches & Locks21%

Does the 1991 Lincoln Continental have recalls?

3 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.

97V025000Speed ControlFebruary 26, 1997 · 212,700 units

Defect

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

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ENGINE COOLING FAN: SITTING AT DRIVETHROUGH WINDOW AT MCDONALDS WHEN THE LADY AT THE WINDOW SAID TO DRIVER THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FIRE WAS COMING FROM BOTH VENTS BY THE WINDSHIELD. GOT OUT OF VEHICLE, GRANDSON THREW SAND ON VEHICLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 19, 1997 · fire

“1991 LINCOLN CONTINENTALS ARE REPORTED BY ALL REPAIR SHOPS IN THIS AREA TO HAVE KNOWN HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS ALONG WITH REAR STRUT AND AIR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. MANY PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR SHIRTS AND FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO HANDLE THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE RECALLED 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTALS BUT HAVE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 1, 2000

“WHILE PULLING UP DRIVEWAY WITH FOOT ON BRAKE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 5, 2002 · crash

“IMMEDIATELY AFTER WIFE AND KIDS GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 10 TO 15 SECONDS AFTER OCCUPANTS GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. FIRE DPEARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO THE LEAKAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 10, 1999 · fire

“CONSUMERS WIFE WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WHEN SHE NOTICED FLAMES SHOOTING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH (CENTER AREA). DEALER & MFR. WERE NOTIFIED AND UNWILLING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 8, 1998 · fire

1991 Lincoln Continental — common questions

Is the 1991 Lincoln Continental reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 399 complaints put the 1991 model at #1 of 34 Continental years. It is one of the Continental years to avoid.

What are the most common 1991 Continental problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (67 complaints), suspension (54 complaints), brakes (53 complaints).

Does the 1991 Lincoln Continental have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Lincoln Continental. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Lincoln Continental under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 7 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.