MYRModel Year Report

1990 Lincoln Continental

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1990 Lincoln Continental
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:47:15.140Z

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, 1990 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 2 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1985 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 9 complaints 1988: 89 complaints 1989: 161 complaints 1989 1990: 160 complaints 1990 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: 19 complaints 2019: 32 complaints 2019 2020: 7 complaints 2020
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
201819
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%

30% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 48 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE
SUSPENSION 20%

20% of complaints: suspension — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing air suspension system and shock absorber.

INJURY DEATH
SEAT BELTS 16%

16% of complaints: seat belts — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and anchorage.

INJURY
STEERING 15%

15% of complaints: steering — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tie rod assembly and hose, piping, and connections.

FIRE INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%

14% of complaints: electrical system — 22 distinct reports on file, 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. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950911

CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN ON A PARKING LOT, FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19950627

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1990 — complaint volume: 160
R 19901105 — air bags

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.

Campaign 90E043001 — 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 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

1990 Lincoln Continental — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (48 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (32 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (25 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97I003000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 90E043001 (air bags) 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

▲ 2001 ▲ 2019 ▲ 2002

WORST YEARS

■ 1991 ■ 1994 ■ 1989

See all years ranked →

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