1989 Lincoln Continental

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

1989 Lincoln Continental
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:54:15.865Z

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 PER YEAR

1989: 161 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1980	0
1981	1
1982	1
1983	2
1984	6
1985	15
1986	8
1987	9
1988	89
1989	161
1990	160
1991	206
1992	126
1993	122
1994	191
1995	70
1996	48
1997	96
1998	72
1999	42
2000	63
2001	32
2002	33
2017	75
2018	19
2019	32
2020	7

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SEAT BELTS 27%

27% of complaints: seat belts — 44 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 19%

19% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 31 distinct reports on file, 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, 20021009

REPLACED LEAKING ENGINE VALVE COVER/INTAKE GASKET.

NHTSA ODI report, 19941206

ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. *AW

NHTSA ODI report, 19941205

SERVICE BRAKES 19%

19% of complaints: service brakes — 30 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

INJURY DEATH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%

19% of complaints: electrical system — 30 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and alternator/generator/regulator.

FIRE INJURY

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, 20020823

SUSPENSION 16%

16% of complaints: suspension — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing air suspension system and shock absorber.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19881220 — PE (closed 19890412)

AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE

▮ 1989 — complaint volume: 161

R 19890412 — seat belts

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.

Campaign 89V048000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19910926 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 91V134000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19920204 — PE (closed 19920625)

ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE

I 19920701 — PE (closed 19921130)

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

I 19921130 — EA (closed 19930630)

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

I 19930615 — PE (closed 19940216)

BROKEN TIE RODS

I 19940216 — EA (closed 19950227)

BROKEN TIE RODS

I 19950808 — DP (closed 19950830)

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

I 19951031 — EA (closed 19971022)

FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLES

R 19980415 — seat belts

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.

Campaign 97V174000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19990118 — structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

Campaign 98V323000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — seat belts

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.

Campaign 97I003000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1989 Lincoln Continental — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for seat belts issues (44 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (31 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes issues (30 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 97I003000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Verify recall 89V048000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Verify recall 91V134000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Verify recall 97V174000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Verify recall 98V323000 (structure) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2001 ▲ 2019 ▲ 2002

WORST YEARS

■ 1991 ■ 1994 ■ 1990

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.