MYRModel Year Report

1989 Lincoln Continental

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1989 Lincoln Continental
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:43:43.346Z

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

Complaints per year, Lincoln Continental Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1989 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 1 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 2 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 15 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 9 complaints 1988: 84 complaints 1988 1989: 158 complaints 1989 1990: 158 complaints 1991: 203 complaints 1992: 126 complaints 1992 1993: 121 complaints 1994: 190 complaints 1995: 70 complaints 1996: 48 complaints 1996 1997: 96 complaints 1998: 72 complaints 1999: 42 complaints 2000: 63 complaints 2000 2001: 32 complaints 2002: 33 complaints 2017: 74 complaints 2018: 18 complaints 2018 2019: 31 complaints 2020: 7 complaints 2020
1989: 158 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19821
19832
19846
198515
19868
19879
198884
1989158
1990158
1991203
1992126
1993121
1994190
199570
199648
199796
199872
199942
200063
200132
200233
201774
201818
201931
20207

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SEAT BELTS 20%

20% of complaints: seat belts — 32 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 9%

9% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 15 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 15 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6%

6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 9 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file.

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

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19881220 — PE (closed 19890412)

AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE

▮ 1989 — complaint volume: 158
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 (32 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (15 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.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2019 ▲ 2001 ▲ 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:front:buckle assembly, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1989 Lincoln Continental have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.