MYRModel Year Report

1990 Lincoln Continental

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1990 Lincoln Continental
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:41:19.858Z

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
160
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

30% 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 1990: 160 complaints 1990 160 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 1990: 160 complaints 1990 160 1991: 206 complaints 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 1990: 160 complaints 1990 160 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

1990: 160 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.

Engine and engine cooling

30% · 48 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE

Suspension

20% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing air suspension system and shock absorber.

INJURYDEATH

Seat belts

16% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and anchorage.

INJURY

Steering

15% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly and hose, piping, and connections.

FIREINJURY

Electrical system

14% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and alternator/generator/regulator.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.…

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-09-11

Car caught on fire while attempting to make a turn on a parking lot, fire originated under the hood.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-06-27

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1990Complaint volume 160 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1990-11-05Air bags90E043001 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.

    Remedy: Replace air bag modules containing potentially defective inflators.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. 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 →

  4. I
    1992-02-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-06-25 Engine mount failure
  5. I
    1992-11-30Engineering analysisClosed 1993-06-30 Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
  6. I
    1993-06-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-02-16 Broken tie rods
  7. I
    1994-02-16Engineering analysisClosed 1995-02-27 Broken tie rods
  8. I
    1995-08-08Defect petitionClosed 1995-08-30 Alleged defective tie rods
  9. I
    1995-10-31Engineering analysisClosed 1997-10-22 Faulty seat belt buckles
  10. 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 →

  11. 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 →

  12. 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

1990 Lincoln Continental — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 48 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 32 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 25 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97I003000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 90E043001 · Air bags
  • 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 1990 Lincoln Continental reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Lincoln Continental is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Lincoln Continental?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 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.