1989 Lincoln Continental
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Lincoln › Continental › 1989
These records cover every 1989 Lincoln Continental. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 1989 Lincoln Continental. Newest first.
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, vermont, virginia, west virgnia, and…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
This IS not a safety recall in accordance with federal regulation 573. however, it IS deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. ford IS initiating an owner notification program that will provide an extended warranty, 12 years and unlimited mileage, for all seat belt buckles with functional concerns.
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event of a collision, the occupant of the seat may not be properly restrained and personal injury could occur.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle assembly, for 12 years and unlimited mileage.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. the front outboard seating position seat belt buckles may not latch or unlatch.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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 resulting in an accident.
Remedy
Replace front brake rotors with full cast front brake rotors.
The left side, rear seat belt retractor assembly may be improperly secured and could pull free of its mounting location.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Occupant, though still restrained by the lap portion ofthe belt, would not have upper body protection.
Remedy
Reinstall the retractor attachment bolt.
Owner complaints
158 complaints6 involved a crash19 involved a fire11 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- 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. *tr
- 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.
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Driver's side seat belt keeps releasing on itsw own while driving. *Ak
- 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…
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. *jb
- 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. *jb
- 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.
- 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.*jb
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · 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.
- 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. *Ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Digital mileage gauge keeps going up.*ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
There IS water that leaks intto headlights which causes light bulbs to burn out. Has not contacted dealer. *ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Seat belts › Front › Anchorage · Steering › Gear box › Shaft pitman · Suspension › Rear · Vehicle speed control
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…
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.*ak
- Structure › Frame and members
Recall98-v-323-000/ subframe corrosion. consumer has had problem fixed, but remedy did not do its job. Contacted manufacturer, and manufacturer stated that remedy was only good for 12 months. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Vehicle speed control
When appyling the brakes vehicle will not down shift, vehicle suddenly accelerates. cause unknown. Please give any further details.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Consumer IS not able to receive recall repair (97i-003) due to dealership problem. *mjs
- Suspension › Rear
Constant trouble with the suspension system leaking or not working properly. The dealer has not been able to diagnose the problem.
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Air suspension system
While driving at any given time front end of the vehicle will drop completely down to the ground due to air sharks which need to be replaced. consumer has contacted the dealer. Please provide any further details.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Hydraulic
Power booster assembly has a high failure rate and IS a troublesome system parts needed for repaires are no longer available wich IS strange for a 11 year old vehicle considering the high problem rate of this brake system. The brake booster operates intermitently. Since I am a mechanic working for ford I see this problem often.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
Disc brakes have completely separated from the disc brake drum, causing a dangerous braking situation. Please provide any further details. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While driving along the road vehicle overheated. Pulled over ,and had the car towed to the dealer. they replaced the head gasket. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
When vehicle was started the engine began to race and would not idle down. nlm
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe · Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly · Fuel system, other › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings · Interior lighting · Power train › Axle assembly · Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust · Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly · Structure › Body › Trunk lid · Suspension › Front › Macpherson strut
Two motor mounts failed. Mjs
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
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 *ak
- 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. *ak
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Air suspension system
Front air suspension loses pressure ,causes the front to bounce whenever vehicle runs over bumps or potholes. Dealer / mfr. Were not notified at this time. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Faulty seat belt buckles
Complaints allege an inability to latch seat belt buckles, and inadvertent unlatching of the seat belt buckle.
- Alleged defective tie rods
Alleged defective tie rods
- Broken tie rods
There is no summary currently available
- Broken tie rods
There is no summary currently available
- Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
There is no summary currently available
- Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
There is no summary currently available
- Engine mount failure
There is no summary currently available
- Air suspension failure
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3020102Unknown
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 613234Information regarding tsb 98-5a-12 (transaxle/transmission/transfer case-vehicles towed behind recreational vehicles-recommended guidelines) does not list towing information for certain model vehicles. *Mjs
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 607497Information regarding the the availability of the revised headgasket for coolant loss conditions on some engines.
- 606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5W-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year.
- 604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals.
- 603573A revised forward clutch inner seal for the axod, axode, AX4S & AX4N transaxle IS available with improved sealing and reduced chance of the seal rolling during installation.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601270Concerns with coolant may leak from the head gaskets and / or the vehicle may overheat.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 601004Some vehicles may cycle when brakes are applied on rough roads or on an incline while making a sharp turn.
- 53660Vehicles exhibiting a "squeaking" or "chirping" from the blower motor at low blower motor speeds.
- 51990Blower motor- "chirping" or "squeaking" from blower motor at low speeds.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 51682Blower motor- "chirp" or "squeak" from blower motor at low speeds.
- 51540The abs/red brake/air suspension lamps coming on, check for a bad ground on circuit 430.
- 51491The abs/red brake/air suspension lamps coming on, check for a bad ground on circuit 430.
- 51361Some power steering hoses have been replaced with a revised design and should no longer be used for service.
- 51184Verify the transaxle installed in the vehicle IS the correct model and model year for the vehicle.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
- 46461The power steering system may have a 'grunt' and/or 'groan' noise. This may be caused by hydraulic fluid movement within the power steering rack.
- 45949Suspension-rear-availability of camber kit to improve inner edge wear on rear rear tires. Tires-rear-inner edge wear-availability of camber kit to improve wear.
- 45937The torque converter identification codes have been revised as of 3/1/95.
- 42077Unknown
- 41025A revised service windshield wiper motor IS now available.
- 39903Chirp or squeak noise from blower motor at low speeds.
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
- 39884Chirp or squeak from blower motor.
Every Lincoln Continental model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.