1989 Lincoln Continental problems & reliability
158 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1989 Lincoln Continental. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
7 complaints report injuries (11 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 42 | 27% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 26 | 16% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 26 | 16% |
| Electrical System | 23 | 15% |
| Suspension | 21 | 13% |
| Steering | 20 | 13% |
| Power Train | 13 | 8% |
| Structure | 11 | 7% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 | 7% |
| Air Bags | 5 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The subframe on our 1989 continental rusted through which allows the engine to fall onto the steering gear and prevents steering. *tr”
Structure · filed Apr 15, 2008
“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.”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Apr 22, 2004
“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…”
Suspension · filed Apr 30, 2003
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLES
Engineering Analysis EA95033 · opened Oct 31, 1995 · closed Oct 22, 1997 · led to recall 97V174000
- ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS
Defect Petition DP95004 · opened Aug 8, 1995 · closed Aug 30, 1995
- BROKEN TIE RODS
Engineering Analysis EA94008 · opened Feb 16, 1994 · closed Feb 27, 1995
- BROKEN TIE RODS
Preliminary Evaluation PE93058 · opened Jun 15, 1993 · closed Feb 16, 1994
- SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL
Engineering Analysis EA92040 · opened Nov 30, 1992 · closed Jun 30, 1993 · led to recall 93V106002
- SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL
Preliminary Evaluation PE92056 · opened Jul 1, 1992 · closed Nov 30, 1992
- ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE92014 · opened Feb 4, 1992 · closed Jun 25, 1992
- AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE89026 · opened Dec 20, 1988 · closed Apr 12, 1989
Technical service bulletins
46 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1989 Lincoln Continental. The 10 most recent:
Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *slc
01157 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 6, 2001
Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *slc
01156 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 6, 2001
Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *mjs
0015 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 10, 2000
Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses. *tt
99222 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 18, 1999
Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems. *tt
99196 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 20, 1999
Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda. *tt
99152 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 26, 1999
Ford motor company now recommends sae 5w-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year. *tt
99816 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 3, 1999
Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( f8az - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals. *yc
98246 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 7, 1998
Information 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
12178 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 1998
Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart. *yc
9888 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 27, 1998
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1989 Lincoln Continental in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1989 Lincoln Continental?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.