MotorDeets

Lincoln Continental problems, recalls & best years

The deets on every Continental from 1990 to 2020: 1,389 owner complaints and 40 recalls across 17 model years.

The model years with the most owner complaints are 1991 (203), 1994 (190), 1990 (158). Best fuel economy: 21 mpg combined (2020).

Lincoln Continental
Photo: SsmIntrigue · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Problem areas across all years

Engine & cooling351
Suspension206
Transmission & drivetrain139
Electrical134
Body & structure118
Brakes (hydraulic)117
Steering107
Visibility (wipers, glass)97

Year by year

YearRecallsComplaintsBest mpg
1990315819
1991320318
1992312618
1993412118
1994519019
199517018
199624818
199719618
199817218
199924218
200036318
200113218
200203318
201747521
201822121
201933221
20202721

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Lincoln Continental.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
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FAQ

What is the worst year for the Lincoln Continental?

The model years with the most owner complaints are 1991 (203), 1994 (190), 1990 (158).

How many recalls has the Lincoln Continental had?

Across 1990–2020, NHTSA lists 40 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).