MYRModel Year Report

1989 Lincoln Continental

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1989 Lincoln Continental
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:42:32.803Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
161
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1989

Investigations
8

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seat belts

27% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 2 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1985 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 9 complaints 1988: 89 complaints 1989: 161 complaints 1989 161 1990: 160 complaints 1991: 206 complaints 1992: 126 complaints 1993: 122 complaints 1993 1994: 191 complaints 1995: 70 complaints 1996: 48 complaints 1997: 96 complaints 1997 1998: 72 complaints 1999: 42 complaints 2000: 63 complaints 2001: 32 complaints 2001 2002: 33 complaints 2017: 75 complaints 2018: 20 complaints 2019: 32 complaints 2019 2020: 7 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1985 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 9 complaints 1987 1988: 89 complaints 1989: 161 complaints 1989 161 1990: 160 complaints 1991: 206 complaints 1991 1992: 126 complaints 1993: 122 complaints 1993 1994: 191 complaints 1995: 70 complaints 1995 1996: 48 complaints 1997: 96 complaints 1997 1998: 72 complaints 1999: 42 complaints 1999 2000: 63 complaints 2001: 32 complaints 2001 2002: 33 complaints 2017: 75 complaints 2017 2018: 20 complaints 2019: 32 complaints 2019 2020: 7 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1985 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 9 complaints 1987 1988: 89 complaints 1989: 161 complaints 1989 161 1990: 160 complaints 1991: 206 complaints 1991 1992: 126 complaints 1993: 122 complaints 1993 1994: 191 complaints 1995: 70 complaints 1995 1996: 48 complaints 1997: 96 complaints 1997 1998: 72 complaints 1999: 42 complaints 1999 2000: 63 complaints 2001: 32 complaints 2001 2002: 33 complaints 2017: 75 complaints 2017 2018: 20 complaints 2019: 32 complaints 2019 2020: 7 complaints

1989: 161 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19821
19832
19846
198515
19868
19879
198889
1989161
1990160
1991206
1992126
1993122
1994191
199570
199648
199796
199872
199942
200063
200132
200233
201775
201820
201932
20207

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Seat belts

27% · 44 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

Engine and engine cooling

19% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer states that there was a fire in the vehicle which started in the engine compartment while the consumer was driving. Contacted dealer. Mr fuel rail exploded 3 inch hole. Instant fire in back of engine.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-09

Replaced leaking engine valve cover/intake gasket.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-12-06

Engine mounts failed prior to recall.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-12-05

Service brakes

19% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

INJURYDEATH

Electrical system

19% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing switch and alternator/generator/regulator.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Ignition switch failed to operate correctly, often loosing control center information and sometimes preventing the car from operating. Car was taken to repair station where the ignition switch and harness were replaced.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-23

Suspension

16% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing air suspension system and shock absorber.

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1988-12-20Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-04-12 Air suspension failure
  2. ▮
    1989Complaint volume 161 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    1989-04-12Seat belts89V048000 The left side, rear seat belt retractor assembly may be improperly secured and could pull free of its mounting location.

    Remedy: Reinstall the retractor attachment bolt.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1991-09-26Service brakes, hydraulic91V134000 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.

    Remedy: Replace front brake rotors with full cast front brake rotors.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    1992-02-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-06-25 Engine mount failure
  6. I
    1992-07-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-11-30 Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
  7. I
    1992-11-30Engineering analysisClosed 1993-06-30 Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
  8. I
    1993-06-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-02-16 Broken tie rods
  9. I
    1994-02-16Engineering analysisClosed 1995-02-27 Broken tie rods
  10. I
    1995-08-08Defect petitionClosed 1995-08-30 Alleged defective tie rods
  11. I
    1995-10-31Engineering analysisClosed 1997-10-22 Faulty seat belt buckles
  12. R
    1998-04-15Seat belts97V174000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front outboard seating position seat belt buckles may not latch or unlatch.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front outboard seat belt buckle assemblies.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    1999-01-18Structure98V323000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, district of columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland…

    Remedy: Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    Date not on fileSeat belts97I003000 This is not a safety recall in accordance with federal regulation 573. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle assembly, for 12 years and unlimited mileage.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1989 Lincoln Continental — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 44 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 30 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97I003000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 89V048000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 91V134000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 97V174000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 98V323000 · Structure
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1989 Lincoln Continental reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Lincoln Continental is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Lincoln Continental?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1989 Lincoln Continental have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.