How many recalls does the 1990 Lincoln Continental have?

The 1990 Lincoln Continental has 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 1990 Lincoln Continental has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1990 Lincoln Continental?

Of 244 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is engine and engine cooling.

1990 Lincoln Continental Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1990 Lincoln Continental has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,085,400 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 244 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STRUCTURE 98V323000 1998-12-16 2,697,000 affected

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND,…

Consequence

IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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

SEAT BELTS 97V174000 1997-10-07 63,400 affected

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEATING POSITION SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH.

Consequence

THESE CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE SEAT BELT USAGE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 91V134000 1991-08-06 325,000 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

SEVERELY CORRODED ROTORS MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE NEARTHE INNER EDGES OF THE BRAKE DISCS RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS,HIGHER THAN NORMAL PEDAL EFFORTS, LOUD GRINDING NOISES, AND MODERATE PULLS WHENTHE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS MAY INCREASE MINIMUMSTOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY…

Remedy

REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

SEAT BELTS

Total complaints244

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“While driving under normal driving conditions driver's side air bag deployed without the vehicle being impacted. When the air bag deployed it shattered the driver's glasses, reducing his visibility. As a result, vehicle swerved to the right, went up and embankment 20 feet, and landed 70 feet down…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2004-10-22

“Not working. No summary. *ak”

AIR BAGS · reported 2003-05-31

“I purchased a 1990 lincoln continental in december 2002, and noticed that driving on the highway, the engine revs very high and the transmission does not engage the overdrive. I also noticed that shifting from reverse to drive or drive to rverse, there is a delay in the transmission engaging the…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2002-12-15

“I purchased a 1990 lincoln continental in december 2002, and noticed that driving on the highway, the engine revs very high and the transmission does not engage the overdrive. I also noticed that shifting from reverse to drive or drive to rverse, there is a delay in the transmission engaging the…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · reported 2002-12-15

“This vehicle is experiencing the same defect as stated in recall 98/v/323/000 for subframe corrosion. However, since vehicle was purchased in arkansas it was not included in recall.*ak”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2002-09-06

“On the internet it stated ford had callbacks for all3.8 engines for headgasket problems but only recalled a few vin numbers. How could they get away with that? You and I and every mecchanic knows the problem with the 3.8 engine by ford why cant some thing be done. I wasnt told of anything about…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · reported 2001-07-26

“On the internet it stated ford had callbacks for all3.8 engines for headgasket problems but only recalled a few vin numbers. How could they get away with that? You and I and every mecchanic knows the problem with the 3.8 engine by ford why cant some thing be done. I wasnt told of anything about…”

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM · reported 2001-07-26

“On the internet it stated ford had callbacks for all3.8 engines for headgasket problems but only recalled a few vin numbers. How could they get away with that? You and I and every mecchanic knows the problem with the 3.8 engine by ford why cant some thing be done. I wasnt told of anything about…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE · reported 2001-07-26

Defect investigations

Investigation DP95004 Opened 1995-08-08 · closed 1995-08-30