Safety ratings
1990 Lincoln Continental 4-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (5)
- AIR BAGS:FRONTALCampaign 90E043001 · 30/10/1990
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.
Risk: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Fix: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
- STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERSCampaign 98V323000 · 16/12/1998
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.
Risk: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
- SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYCampaign 97I003000 · 07/10/1997
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.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, FOR 12 YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE.
- SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYCampaign 97V174000 · 07/10/1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEATING POSITION SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH.
Risk: THESE CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE SEAT BELT USAGE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTORCampaign 91V134000 · 06/08/1991
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING34
- SUSPENSION29
- SEAT BELTS25
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM18
- STEERING16
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL14
- STRUCTURE13
- POWER TRAIN10
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/30/1996· VISIBILITY
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, WENT TO LOWER DRIVER/PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS, BOTH WINDOWS DROPPED OR WOULD NOT GO DOWN OR UP; TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS; DEALER DID NOT REPAIR PROBLEM. *AK
- 12/28/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY
WHILE TRAVELING HEATER WOULD NOT WORK. ALSO, NOTICE WHITE SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE. TECHNICIAN STATED HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE BLOWN UP GASKET CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAILE AND THE MANUFACTURER IS UNWILLING TO ISSUE RECALL. *YH
- 12/28/1995· SEAT BELTS
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE THE SEAT BELT COMES OUT THE BUCKLE. TT
- 12/20/1994· STEERING
LEFT/RIGHT TIE ROD ENDS BROKE. *SKD
- 12/19/1997· STEERING
STEERING INNER TIE ROD PROBLEMS.
- 12/16/1998· SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH LEFT FRONT END OF VEHICLE COLLAPSED, CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DEALER CONTACTED AND IS INSPECTING VEHICLE FOR ESTIMATES. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
- 12/16/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
CAR WAS PARKED AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, INSURANCE COMPANY IS COMING OUT TO LOOK AT CAR . *AK
- 12/15/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.
- 12/12/1995· SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACED. *SD
- 12/07/2000· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SUDDEN ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE WAS ONCE IN REVERSE AND TWICE IT ACCELERATED FROM 55 MPH TO 90 MPH, THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *SLC
- 12/06/1995· SEAT BELTS
VEHICLES DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLES DISENGAGED WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE IN USE. TT
- 11/28/1995· SEAT BELTS
PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
- 11/22/1995· SUSPENSION
AIR SUSPENSION; SYSTEM FAILS LOWERING RESULTING IN TIRES RUBBING AND OTHER FAILURES. STAN OLSON AUTO CENTER UNABLE TO DETECT REPEATED FAILURE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
- 11/18/1996· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE REPLACED.
- 11/14/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 RATHER THAN FIX THE INITIAL CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
- 11/13/1998· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING TOOK FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR FOOT AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND SPEED OUT OF CONTROL. *AK
- 11/13/1996· SUSPENSION
SHOCKS REPLACED.
- 11/12/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
THERE ARE 17 TBS ON THE TRANSMISSION! I PAID TOP DOLLAR FOR A LOW MILEAGE CAR, NOT I AM STUCK! THERE IS A TBS DATED 7/98 ON THE HEADGASKET! BUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEY HAVE A PROBLEM.
- 11/12/1996· STEERING
GOING HOME FROM WORK AND PREPARING TO ENTER THE EXPRESSWAY, MADE A TURN AND THE INNER TIE ROD BROKE, HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. *AK
- 11/09/1999· SEAT BELTS
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 VEHICLE BACK TWICE. *AK
- 11/06/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I ALSO HAVE A STALLING PROBLEM THAT A DEALER SAID HE CAN NOT FIND. *AK
- 11/05/2004· AIR BAGSCrash
WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING IMPACTED. WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED IT SHATTERED THE DRIVER'S GLASSES, REDUCING HIS VISIBILITY. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, WENT UP AND EMBANKMENT 20 FEET, AND LANDED 70 FEET DOWN THE ROAD. DRIVER SUSTAINED SERIOUS BURNS TO BACK, NECK AND HAND. THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE (EMS) HAD TO PEEL THE AIR BAG OFF THE DRIVER'S FACE, NECK, AND HAND. *AK
- 11/02/1995· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK, DEALER REPLACED THROTTLE ASSEMBLY. TT *JB
- 10/31/1995· SEAT BELTS
FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE, PE95-030 ACTIVE. TT CONSUMER STATES ON OCCASIONS IT WILL NOT ENGAGE OR STAY LOCKED IN THE RECEIVER, ON ONE OCCASION THE RELEASE MALFUNCTIONED, CONSUMER HAD TO STRUGGLE OUT OF THE SEAT BELT. *SLC
- 10/30/1996· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WATER PUMP REPLACED.
- 10/26/1998· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 25 MPH WHEN SAW SOME SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND OPEN THE HOOD AND THE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT. THE CONSUMER CLOSED THE HOOD AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.*AK
- 10/24/1997· VISIBILITY
WIPER BLADES FAIL TO RETURN TO THEIR ORIGINAL POSITION WHEN NOT IN USE, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
- 10/22/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
STARTER SOLENOID REPLACED.
- 10/15/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire
ENGINE FIRE. MJS
- 10/15/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING,AND UPON PULLING INTO A DEALER'S PARKING LOT, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. POPPED OPEN THE HOOD, AND THERE WAS A FIRE. DEALER PUT OUT THE FIRE. *AK
- 10/15/1996· STRUCTURE
BODY MOUNTS FAILED DUE TO CORROSION.
- 10/12/1999· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES UNEXPECTEDLY. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. *AK
- 10/09/1996· SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY THE AIR BAG/SHOCKS WENT OUT. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON 4/12/96.*AK
- 10/04/1998· SUSPENSION
SENSOR ON REAR AIR RIDE SUSPENSION SYSTEM APPARENTLY FAILED, CALLING FOR INCREASED PRESSURE. THE AIR SHOCKS PUMPED UNTIL THEY EXPLODED, PRODUCING A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION.
- 09/29/1998· SUSPENSION
AIR RID SUSPENTION FAILURE, RIDE CONTROL
- 09/26/1996· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
THE AXLE FOR THE FRONT END HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE ENGINE HAS OVERHEATED.
- 09/22/1999· SUSPENSION
FRONT AND REAR AIR RIDE CONTROL
- 09/18/2001· SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON THE INTERNET IT STATED FORD HAD CALLBACKS FOR ALL3.8 ENGINES FOR HEADGASKET PROBLEMS BUT ONLY RECALLED A FEW VIN NUMBERS. HOW COULD THEY GET AWAY WITH THAT? YOU AND I AND EVERY MECCHANIC KNOWS THE PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8 ENGINE BY FORD WHY CANT SOME THING BE DONE. I WASNT TOLD OF ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. LUCKY I WAS DRIVING NOT MY DAUGHTER. SHE WOULD HAVE DIVEN TILL IT BURNED THE MOTOR UP. AND THE AIR SHOCKS AT $ 4,000 FOR THE 4 OF THEM THATS ANOTHER FARCE. CANT YOU MAKE THEM AT LEAST INSTALL AT COST ? MY ENGINE OVERHEATED AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE PA. TURNPIKE LUCKY I PULLED OVER AND GOT TOWED WITH A $350 BILL.*AK
- 09/18/2001· VISIBILITY
I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM MYSELF WITH 2 FORD MOTOR CO VEHICLES I OWN AND ONE MY FATHER OWNS. THE 2001 EXCURSION I OWN IS BEING RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM - THE INTERMITTENT WIPER MOTOR FUNCTION EITHER SHUTS THE WIPER BLADE ACTION DOWN OR THE BLADES DO NOT PARK. THE OTHER VEHICLES AFFECTED ARE THE ONE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT (1990 LINCON MKVII), A 1992 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND A 1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR.
- 09/15/1997· STRUCTURE
RECEIVED NOTICE (#93V106002). CALLED DEALER & TOOK VEHICLE IN ON DATE GIVEN. AFTER ARRIVING AND WAITING, WAS INFORMED DID NOT HAVE PARTS, AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE. *AK
- 09/14/2000· SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT RELEASE, CONSUMER HAD TO BREAK THE BUCKLE TO RELEASE OCCUPANT, RECALL #97V-174 WAS DENIED TO CONSUMER. *MJS
- 09/13/1995· STEERING
SUSPENSION THE AIR SUSPENSION GOES TOO FAR DOWN, POWER STEERING AND THE ROTOR WAS REPLACED MORE THAN ONE TIME . TT
- 09/11/2002· STRUCTURE
THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 98/V/323/000 FOR SUBFRAME CORROSION. HOWEVER, SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN ARKANSAS IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL.*AK
- 09/11/1995· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
AFTER A 35 MINUTE DRIVE, UPON BACKING OUT SUDDENLY NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM VENTS THEN UNDER HOOD, FOUND ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON FIRE, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. TT
- 09/10/1997· SUSPENSION
FRONT AIR SUSPENISION IS LEAKING, CAUSING THE FRONT END TO DROP. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, CONSUMER AWAITING FOR THE PARTS TO ARRIVE. *AK
- 09/09/1998· SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELTS RECALLED ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THEM FIXED BUT NO PARTS AVAILABLE.
- 09/06/1996· AIR BAGSCrash
VEHICLE WAS HIT HEAD-ON AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS.*AK
- 09/02/1999· SEAT BELTS
REC'D RECALL NOTICE 97I003000 & CONTACTED DEALER. PARTS FOR VEHICLE NOT RIGHT COLOR & WOULD HAVE TO ORDER SEAT BELT BUCKLE PARTS. HAS CHECKED OFF/ON, BUT PARTS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. *AK
- 09/01/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MOTOR MOUNTS CRACKED, CAUSING A VIBRATION , WHICH MADE A HOLE IN THE POWER STEERING HOSE , RESULTING IN FLUID LEAKAGE ONTO THE ENGINE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
- 08/31/1995· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *SD