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1989 problems

FaultScore report

1989 Lincoln Continental problems

Owners have filed 255 complaints about the 1989 Lincoln Continental with NHTSA between 1995 and 2008. The largest single group is the seat belts.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Lincoln Continental

—

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

255

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

1 complaint reports a death.

How 1989 compares with every other Lincoln Continental

Click any bar to open that year's report.

1 1 1 2 1 1 2 9 18 8 14 147 255 244 399 199 200 303 94 69 109 88 46 108 38 43 99 22 38 7

75 77 78 79 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 17 18 19 20

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1989 Lincoln Continental

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Seat Belts 44 17.3%

Median failure at 37,000 miles

Electrical System 33 12.9%

0 crashes, 7 fires

Engine & Cooling 31 12.2%

0 crashes, 6 fires

Brakes 29 11.4%

Suspension 26 10.2%

Steering 22 8.6%

0 crashes, 8 fires

Transmission & Drivetrain 15 5.9%

Acceleration & Cruise Control 11 4.3%

1 crashes, 1 fires

Body & Structure 11 4.3%

Median failure at 230,000 miles

Equipment & Accessories 7 2.7%

Fuel & Propulsion 7 2.7%

Airbags 6 2.4%

6 crashes, 0 fires

Lights 5 2.0%

Doors, Latches & Locks 2 0.8%

Seats 2 0.8%

Tires 2 0.8%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 2 0.8%

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Buckle Assembly 32 31.1%

Engine 17 16.5%

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 15 14.6%

Switch 10 9.7%

Gasoline 9 8.7%

Automatic Transmission 8 7.8%

AIR Conditioner 6 5.8%

Retractor 6 5.8%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Feb 1995 peak 19 Apr 2008

NHTSA investigations into the 1989 Lincoln Continental

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA95033 Opened 31 Oct 1995 Closed 22 Oct 1997 SEAT BELTS

FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLES

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE AN INABILITY TO LATCH SEAT BELT BUCKLES, AND INADVERTENT UNLATCHING OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE.

DP95004 Opened 8 Aug 1995 Closed 30 Aug 1995 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

EA94008 Opened 16 Feb 1994 Closed 27 Feb 1995 STEERING

BROKEN TIE RODS

PE93058 Opened 15 Jun 1993 Closed 16 Feb 1994 STEERING

BROKEN TIE RODS

EA92040 Opened 30 Nov 1992 Closed 30 Jun 1993 STRUCTURE

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

PE92056 Opened 1 Jul 1992 Closed 30 Nov 1992 STRUCTURE

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

PE92014 Opened 4 Feb 1992 Closed 25 Jun 1992 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE

PE89026 Opened 20 Dec 1988 Closed 12 Apr 1989 SUSPENSION

AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE

Recalls on the 1989 Lincoln Continental

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 1997192 10 Nov 1997 1,808 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEATING POSITION SEAT BELT BUCKLES ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH. THESE CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE BELT USAGE. IN THE EVENT OF SUDDEN STOP OR VEHICLE CRASH, THE RISK OF INJURY TO AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT WOULD BE INCREASED. CORRECTION: FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall 1992166 30 Dec 1992 157,101 units in Canada

Structure

On certain vehicles with 3.0 Litre and 3.8 Litre engines, the body mounts on the rear corners of the subframe which supports the engine and transmission may become detached due to corrosion of the rear lower mount retaining plates, allowing the rear corners of the subframe to drop. Should this occur, steering could become very difficult, thereby adversely affecting vehicle control. Correction: modified lower body mounts and attaching bolts will be installed on affected vehicles.

Recall 1992099 21 Aug 1992 16,233 units in Canada

Emissions

NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8 LITRE ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S 1105 - EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS. CORRECTION: PURGE VALVE AND HOSE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Recall 1992039 6 Apr 1992 4,476 units in Canada

Brakes

NOTE: VEHICLES LOCATED IN ONTARIO, QUEBEC, NEW BRUNSWICK, NOVA SCOTIA PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND AND NEWFOUNDLAND. THE COMPOSITE CONSTRUCTION FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ON THESE VEHCIES MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN AND FRACTURE, RESULTING IN A REDUCTION OF BRAKING PERFORMANCE. SUCH A FRACTURE WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING AT THE CORRESPONDING FRONT WHEEL WHICH COULD IN TURN RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE AND A POSSIBLE CRASH. CORRECTION: FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WILL BE REPLACED WITH FULL CAST ROTORS.

Recall 1989039 28 Mar 1989 49 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

THE LEFT SIDE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY BE IMPROPERLY SECURED. IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR VEHICLE CRASH, THE PASSENGER USING THIS SEAT MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED. CORRECTION: RETRACTOR MOUNTING WILL BE INSPECTED AND RETRACTOR ATTACHMENT BOLT WILL BE REINSTALLED IF NECESSARY.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Filed 9 Oct 2002 Maitland, FL Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

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 complaint #8020475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 29 Aug 2002 LOS Angeles, CA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING, WHEN TRYING TO APPLY BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND IT WAS HARD FOR VEHICLE TO STOP, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHILE DRIVING ON THE FRREWAY, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PULL OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE, CONSUMER HIT SOME DEBRIS THAT WAS IN THE LANE WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #8017572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 31 Jul 2002 Mission, TX Fire 3 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

I HAD SPENT ALL MY MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT'S IRREPERABLE AND LIABILITY INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER. NOW I HAVE NO MONEY AND NO CAR FOR MY 4-YEAR OLD AND I TO RUN ERRANDS IN.NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.

NHTSA complaint #764863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 9 Nov 1999 Pasadena, CA Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. CONSUMER PRESSED THE BRAKES, BUT BRAKES FAILED STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED AFTER DRIVING 4 MILES. GAS PEDAL STUCK AT LEAST FOUR TIMES

NHTSA complaint #850249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 9 Nov 1999 Pasadena, CA Fire

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

NHTSA complaint #850249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 28 Oct 1999 Dearborn, MI Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE, CAUSING DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER BROKE THE RIGHT ARM IN FOUR PLACES.

NHTSA complaint #852088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 15 Apr 2008 at 230,000 miles Sylvania, OH

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

THE SUBFRAME ON OUR 1989 CONTINENTAL RUSTED THROUGH WHICH ALLOWS THE ENGINE TO FALL ONTO THE STEERING GEAR AND PREVENTS STEERING.

NHTSA complaint #10224542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Apr 2004 Visalia, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN. I AM LOSING COOLENT AND THICK WHITE SMOKE IS COMING OUT AT THE TAILPIPE. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANIC YET BUT I AM CONVICED FROM THE COLOR OF THE SMOKE AND SMELL OF THE SMOKE.

NHTSA complaint #10069812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 13 Nov 2003 at 37,000 miles Oceanside, NY

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT KEEPS RELEASING ON ITSW OWN WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10047944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 30 Apr 2003 Freehold, NJ

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

ALL FOUR AIR SPRING SUSPENSION LEAKED IN DIFFERENT TIMES THAT CAUSE FRONT PART OR REAR PART OF THE VEHICLE LOWER TO GROUND WHICH CAN NOT DRIVE. THE REAR AIR STRUTS PARTS EACH COST MORE THAN FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS AND THE FRONT ONES COST MORE THAN $350 EACH FROM LINCOLN DEALER. THE REASON OF LEAK IS THAT SOME SAND WILL GET BETWEEN AIR THE SPRING RUBBER SURFACE AND STRUT BODY WHICH CAUSE AIR BAG SPRING RUBBER TO GRIND AND CUT. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT ONE OF A FRONT SUSPENSION HEIGHT SENSOR LINK LOOSEN CAUSED ONE FRONT AIR SUSPENSION BAG BLOWED UP. IF THIS HAPPENED AT REAR WILL CAUSE BOTH REAR AIR SUSPENSION SPRING BLOW UP SINCE ONLY ONE HEIGHT SENSOR AT REAR FOR BOTH AIR SPRINGS.

NHTSA complaint #10016801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 17 Apr 2003 Ridgefield Park, NJ

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

THE TREAD ON TIRE HAD SHIFTED AND THERE WAS METAL SHOWING. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACED ANOTHER TIRE PREVIOUSLY FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10016052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 9 Oct 2002 Maitland, FL Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

NHTSA complaint #8020475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 29 Aug 2002 LOS Angeles, CA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

NHTSA complaint #8017572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 23 Aug 2002 Chesterland, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

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. THE TWO COMPONENTS (BURNED AND FUSED) ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS.

NHTSA complaint #766039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 23 Aug 2002 Chesterland, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

NHTSA complaint #766039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 31 Jul 2002 Mission, TX Fire 3 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

NHTSA complaint #764863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 29 Apr 2002 Fallbrook, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

DIGITAL MILEAGE GAUGE KEEPS GOING UP.

NHTSA complaint #8008791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 12 Oct 2001 Kilborg, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

THERE IS WATER THAT LEAKS INTTO HEADLIGHTS WHICH CAUSES LIGHT BULBS TO BURN OUT. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #897669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 31 Jul 2001 Navarre, LA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. THE ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES IN SIX MONTHS. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED. SOMETHING IS STILL DRAINING ALL OF THE POWER AWAY. THE FRONT-SEAT THREE-POINT SEAT BELTS GO SLACK WHILE DRIVING AND DO NOT RETRACT AFTER USE. FORD SAYS IT IS NOT A PROBLEM. THE FRONT AND REAR AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN THE BACK END GOES WAY DOWN THEN BACK UP. THE FRONT OFTEN HAS ONE SIDE TO GO ALL THE WAY DOWN WHILE THE OTHER SIDE GOES ALL THE WAY UP. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR. THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REPLACED. STILL, IT CANNOT KEEP THE CAR ANYWHERE NEAR CONFORTABLE. THE WINDSHIELD GETS AN OILY FILM ON THE INSIDE THAT WON'T GO AWAY. FINALLY, THE SPEED CONTROL SOMETIMES STARTS ACCELERATING FOR NO REASON AND/OR WILL NOT DEACTIVATE WHEN "OFF" IS PRESSED. EHH, I GUESS THAT'S ABOUT IT FOR NOW. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THESE COMMENTS.