NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
1991 Lincoln Continental complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1991 record →
WHILE DRIVING ORIGINAL ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEW. WERE BLOWING SMOKE & LEAKING FLUID. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC REPLACED ENGINE. HEAD GASKETS BLEW ON THE 2ND ENGINE ALSO & ENGINE WAS REPLACED ONCE AGAIN. *AK
WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED, WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. VEHICLE ALSO CONTINUED TO JERK. *AK
HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RUN ROUGH AND LOOSE COOLANT. YH
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
THE HYDRAULIC SHOCKS, FRONT AND BACK ALL BEFORE 110,000 MILES. (ABOUT $2000 TO FIX) THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE DCL LIGHT KEEPS GOING OFF. THE OIL LIGHT KEEPS GOING OFF. NO OIL IS NEEDED. THE FRONT END SHAKES VERY BADLY. THE REAR SUB MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE HEADLINER IN THE CAR IS DISENTERGRATING. THE TRUNK MOTOR WAS REPLACED AND IS DYING AGAIN. THE RADIO IS DEAD. MANY THINGS ARE WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT WAS ORIGINALLY FROM PENN.
WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY CAR SHAKES OR VIBRATES VERY BADLY, AND THE ENGINE CHECKLIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. ALSO, THERE IS AN ODOR THAT IS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. *AK
WHEN I BOUGHT CAR, I NOTICED 2 AREAS (EACH ABOUT 4 IN. DIAMETER) OF SLIGHT PAINT DEGRADATION ON ROOF AT REAR. NOW, 2 YEARS LATER, SIZE OF DEGRADED AREAS HAS INCREASED TO 2X ORIGINAL SIZE, PAINT HAS CHALKED CONSIDERABLY AND DAMAGE IS MOVING DOWN THROUGH LAYERS TO BASE. ALSO HAVE NOTICED SAME PAINT TROUBLE STARTING TO OCCUR ON FRONT ROOF STRUTS (WHERE WINDSHIELD IS). I AM INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT IF OTHER OWNERS HAVE/ARE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR TROUBLE.
AIR BAG WARNING LAMP CONSTANTLY FLASHES. IT FLASHES SIX TIMES, PAUSES THEN GOES THRU SAME PATTERN. SHOP MANUAL INDICATES THERE IS A FAULT WITH DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG (DIAGNOSIS OF FAILED COMPONENT(S)IS DETAILED STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE). MY UNDERSTANDING IS THIS IS NOT A SINGULAR PROBLEM BUT IS SYMPTOMATIC OF THIS MAKE, MODEL & YEAR OF VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS CHRONIC PROBLEM.
FRONT AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM EXPLODED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, CAUSING THE FRONT END TO DROP DOWN ON THE FRONT TIRES, THERE WAS NO WAY TO STEER VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. LINCOLN HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
CONSUMER HAD TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEMS WAS THAT TRANSMISSION OIL WAS LEAKING ,AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO PROPER GEAR WHILE SHIFTING. *AK
NO SUMMARY
BRAKES WOULD WORK FINE IN COLD WEATHER. AS SOON AS DISC HUBS GETS WARMED UP AFTER TRAVELING 50 MILES, THEY WOULD SMELL LIKE BURNING RUBBER. WOULD APPLY BRAKES & WOULD HAVE NO BRAKES. BEEN TO DEALER & MECHANIC CHANGED ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND ROTOR FAILURE CAUSED SMOKE TO COME FROM WHEELS AND DASHBOARD INDICATOR/COMPUTER TO FAIL. MJS
WHILE DRIVING THE AIR SUSPENSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LIFT UP AND POP. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
CAR HAS NO SUPPORT. WHEN THE AIR SUSPENSION GOES OUT, THE CAR IS FORCED TO SIT ON ALL FOUR TIRES, CAUSING METAL TO STAB TIRES. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 20MPH AND IF APPLYING BRAKES, THE BRAKES WILL NOT GO DOWN, AND WILL NOT RELEASE THE VEHICLE. TO GO CONSUMER HAS TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE FOR A COMPLETE STOP. *AK
APPARENTLY THE RIDE HEIGHT SENSORS FAILED, THIS CAUSED THE MOTOR MOUNTS TO FAIL BECAUSE OF IMPROPER HEIGHT RIDE, THIS PUT UNDO STRESS ON FRONT AXEL AND WORE OUT CV JOINTS. ALSO PROBABLY CAUSED FAILURE IN STRUTS.
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE CAR STARTS TO SHAKE. ALSO AFFECTS THE STEERING.DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM , BUT IT HAS REOCCURRED. *AK
FRONT & REAR BRAKE DRUMS STICKING WHEN SLOWING DOWN, & NOT RELEASING.
1) D.C.L. LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING ALL DASHBOARD SYSTEMS TO TURN OFF. 2) WINDSHIELD WIPPERS RHEOSTAT OFTEN SHORTS OUT CAUSING WIPPERS NOT TO TURN-ON WHEN NEEDED. 3) PASSENGER MIRROR ONLY GOES DOWN &IN, NOT UP OR OUT.
TO:LINCOLN AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY ENGINEERS I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 1991 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION A SAFETY ISSUE THAT EFFECTS MANY LARGE INDIVIDUALS THAT DRIVE AUTOMOBILES. AS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH TWO ACADEMIC DEGREES IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, I COULD NOT SIT BY WITHOUT EVALUATING THE CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE AND PASS ALONG SOME HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT. IT SEEMS THAT THE LENGTH OF THE SEATBELT IS INADEQUATE TO ALLOW ENGAGEMENT, LEAVING ME IN A VERY UNSAFE POSITION WHEN DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED NUMEROUS CARS AND TRUCKS AND HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE THE CASE IN ONLY TWO OF THEM. ONE IS MY PRESENT CAR, THE 1991 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL, AND THE OTHER WAS A 1997 FULL SIZE DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCK. THE BASIC PROBLEM IS LACK OF BELT LENGTH TO WRAP AROUND THE MID-DRIFT OF A LARGE PERSON. IT IS DISTURBING TO THINK THAT EVEN AN AVERAGE SIZED PREGNANT WOMAN MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH THIS SAME ISSUE IN YOUR VEHICLE. IN MY CASE, THE SEAT IS IN THE FULL REAR POSITION AND I HAVE AMPLE ROOM BETWEEN MY MID-DRIFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL (ABOUT 2-3 INCHES). I DO CONSIDER MYSELF A LARGE MAN, BUT I ALSO BELIEVE THAT A SEATBELT SHOULD BE ABLE TO PERFORM FLAWLESSLY WITH ANY TYPE OF BODY STYLE THAT CAN COMFORTABLY OPERATE YOUR AUTOMOBILE. WHAT IS THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM? REDESIGN THE SEATBELTS WITH LONGER BELTS. AS AN ENGINEER, I WOULD SAY THAT ANOTHER 16" WOULD SUFFICE. I HOPE THAT THESE OBSERVATIONS MAY HELP YOU MAKE A BETTER PRODUCT FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS.
DURING THE INITIAL WARRANTY PERIOD AT 45000 MILES THE HEADS ON THE VEHICLE WERE BLOWN DUE TO THE MANUFACTURE PROBLEM WHICH WAS FOUND OUT THROUGH THE DEALER. AND AFTER 40000 MILES THE PROBLEM IS OCURRING ONCE AGAIN. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS 84000 MILES, THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MUCH OF A PROBLEM. LINCOOLN HAS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADS ON THESE 6 CYL VEHICLES. PLEASE HELP
CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT DEALER REPAIRED REAR SURFAME CORROSION, BUT REFUSED TO CORRECT THE SAME PROBLEM TO FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER.*AK
RACK AND PINION STEERING WENT OUT, CAUSING THE FRONT TIRES TO GO IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. DEALER HAS TO REPLACED RACK AND PINION STEERING. *AK
BRAKE ROTORS REPAIRED. MJS
THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION WHEN THE RECALL HAPPENED. HOWEVER, THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AT TIMES AND WHEN I CALLED THEY INDICATED THAT THE NEW TRANSMISSION ONLY HAD A 12 MONTH WARRANTY? I KNOW THAT LINCOLN WARRANTS THEIR VEHICLES LONGER THEN 12 MONTHS ON REPLACEMENT WHEN IT WAS A RECALL / A DEFECT IN THE ORIGINAL PART? PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT THE WARRANTY SHOULD BE. THANK YOU. *AK
VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING A HIGH IDLE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE THROTTLE BODY STICKING. THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TRANSMISSION COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT THE THROTTLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
DUE TO THE STRESS FROM SUBFRAME CORROSION , THE ENGINE LIFTED, RESULTING IN DIFFICULT STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED UNDER RECALL 98V323. THE DEALER WILL REPAIR VEHICLE . *AK
THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, MECHANIC REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS TWICE. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHEN ENGINE CUTS OFF STRUTS WON'T HOLD VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE WILL TOUCH THE TIRES, RIDING LOW. *AK
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED, CAUSING POOR STABILITY AND CONTROL PROBLEMS. *YC
IMMEDIATELY AFTER WIFE AND KIDS GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 10 TO 15 SECONDS AFTER OCCUPANTS GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. FIRE DPEARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO THE LEAKAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND LINES TWICE, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
LUGS: BOLTS HAVE SHEARED OFF 4 TIMES ON FRONT. TIRE LEFT HOLDING BY ONE LUG BOLTS ON 4 OCCASIONS. LUGS: BOLTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH FACTORY SPEC BOLTS AND BY FORD DEALER. THE TIRE IS ABOUT READY TO FALL OFF THE CAR, AND DOING 70 MP WE WERE EXTREMELY FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE IT COMPLETLY SEPARATE. FRONT END SUSPENSION HAS BEEN REPAIRED. BRAKES CHECK RIMS REPLACED. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. *AK
WHILE RETURNING FROM VACATION WITH 3 OCCUPANTS, PULLED OFF I-95 AT MARYLAND HOUSE NEAR ABERDEEN FOR COFFEE. NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR FOR PREVIOUS 1000 MILES OF TRIP. WAS NEGOTIATING HEAD-IN PARKING SPOT WITH CARS PARKED ON EITHER SIDE. BROUGHT CAR TO A FULL STOP WITH MY FRONT WHEEL EVEN WITH REAR WHEEL OF CAR PARKED TO MY LEFT. WENT TO RESUME FORWARD MOTION FOR THE 12 FT. OR SO TO COMPLETE PARKING AND CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. THINKING I MAY HAVE ACCIDENTALLY SHIFTED THE LEVER INTO NEUTRAL, I WORKED IT THROUGH FORWARD AND REVERSE GEARS TO NO AVAIL. I WAS STYMIED SINCE UNTIL THAT TIME THE CAR HAD WORKED FLAWLESSLY. WENT THROUGH GEARSHIFT POSITIONS AGAIN. AGAIN NOTHING. ENGINE BEGAN HESITATING WITH CAR MAKING A SURGING MOTION. FEARING A STALL I MADE SURE GEARSHIFT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND I REVVED THE ENGINE. SOMETHING ENGAGED -I CAN ONLY ASSUME IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION- AND THE CAR JERKED VIOLENTLY FORWARD ABOUT 8 FT. BEFORE I COULD STOP IT. CHECKED LEVER AGAIN AND IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I, MY WIFE ,AND SISTER-IN-LAW HEARD SOMETHING BREAK WHEN THE CAR LURCHED. A BIT EMBARASSED,I SHOWED THEM "LOOK, IT'S IN NEUTRAL!" WHEREUPON MY WIFE SAID "A FEW MORE FEET AND YOU MIGHT HAVE HIT ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE!" SHE WAS REFERRING TO SOME PASSERSBY WALKING ON THE MEDIAN WHICH SERVED AS THE FAR LIMIT OF THE PARKING STALL AND WHICH PEOPLE USE TO WALK TO THE COFFEE HOUSE. THE CAR WAS FLATBEDDED TO HINDER LINCOLN MERCURY IN ABERDEEN. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS TRANSMISSION, MOTOR MOUNTS, AND DAMAGE TO AN AXLE. I HAD THE CAR S
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING SPEED DECREASE WITH OUT WARNING, ENGINE BEGINS TO VIBRATE AND THERE IS NO WAY TO CONTINUE DRIVING BY USING THE ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE HAS TO BE TURNED OFF AND RE-STARTED. *YC
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE AIR SUSPENSION BAGS WENT DOWN CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AND LOOSING CONTROL OF STEERING, NOT BEING ABLE TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT WHEEL. DEALER/MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. REPAIRS TO BE AT OWNERS EXPENSE. PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION...
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT AND BURNED WATER AND GAS. DEALER NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM, AND REPAIRWORK DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. ALSO ABS LIGHTCONTINUOUSLY FLASHES ON AND OFF, DEALER NOT AWARE, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHEN DRIVING AND PULLING UP AND PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE WILL GO DOWN TO THE GROUND DUE TO BROKEN SHOCK ABSORBERS. *AK *ML
REAR SUSPENSION KEEPS GOING DOWN, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE THE AIR BAGS RECHARGED TWICE, AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
HEAD GASKETS ARE BLOWN. COOLANT COMING OUT OF EXHAUST SYSTEM.
TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY CEASED TO OPERATE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SUPPORT WHICH CAUSED A GASKET TO BLOW OUT AND OIL WAS SHUT OFF, CAUSING THE TRANSAXLE TO BREAK DOWN. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY. HAD TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK POSITION IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HAPPENED TWICE. NEVER BEEN TO A DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NOTICED PAINT STARTING TO FADE AND HAZE IN SMALL AREA WHICH HAS NOW APPEARED IN OTHER AREAS AND CONTINUES TO SPREAD AND DETERIORATE PAINT. ENTIRE PAINT SYSTEM IS A FAILURE.
THE AIR SUSPENSION AND ROAD LEVER SYSTEM TENDS TO FAIL. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE VECHICLE DROPS DOWN ONTO THE TIES, CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL. *AK
MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED FOUR TIMES ,AND CURRENTLY MOTOR MOUNTS WENT OUT AGAIN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SMOKE. ALSO,POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING, AND VEHICLE IS JERKING. DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FOUR TIMES. *AK
THE AUTO IS EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. AT VARIOUS TIMES OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS, THE AIR BAG IN EACH STRUT HAS FAILED. INSIDE EACH STRUT IS A "RUBBER"BAG THAT IS INFLATED BY A COMPRESSOR BASED ON ROAD CONDITIONS. I WAS INFORMED BY FORD, THAT THE BAG DETERIORATES OVER TIME CAUSING THE BAG TO TEAR OR IN ONE CASE EXPLODE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS CAUSED THE REAR OF THE CAR TO DROP SO LOW THAT IT WAS NOT DRIVEABLE. NOT A FUN EXPERIENCE WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT 60 MPH. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH NUMEROUS LINCOLN OWNERS THAT HAVE INCURRED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CARS, BUT FORD HAS NOT RESPONDED TO OUR COMPLAINTS. AT SOME POINT I WOULD EXPECT TO REPLACE A STRUT OR A SHOCK, BUT WHEN THE COST TO REPLACE AND INSTALL JUST "ONE" STRUT IS BETWEEN $800-$1000, I WOULD THINK THESE PARTS WOULD LAST MUCH LONGER AND BE MANUFACTURED TO WITHSTAND THE ELEMENTS. I BELIEVE FORD HAS FAILED ON THEIR PART TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, AND I AM SURE IF YOU INVESTIGATE THIS COMPLAINT, YOU WILL AGREE THAT DUE TO THE NUMBER OF FAILURES OF THIS COMPONENT SHOULD WARRANT SOME CONSIDERATION FOR A RECALL. IF FORD CAN ISSUE A RECALL FOR FAILURE OF THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM FOR LINCOLN CARS DUE TO CORROSION FROM THE ELEMENTS, I THINK THEY SHOULD ALSO ADDRESS THE SUSPENSION PROBLEMS.
FRONT AND REAR AIR SHOCKS AND STRUTS FAILED.
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1991 Lincoln Continental → · Every Continental year → · How the figures are calculated →