1991 Lincoln Continental problems & reliability
203 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 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 (8 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 56 | 28% |
| Suspension → | 44 | 22% |
| Power Train → | 41 | 20% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic → | 34 | 17% |
| Structure → | 23 | 11% |
| Steering → | 20 | 10% |
| Electrical System → | 19 | 9% |
| Equipment → | 15 | 7% |
| Visibility → | 14 | 7% |
| Air Bags → | 11 | 5% |
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
“1991 lincoln continental with 39,800 original owner miles. Head gasket blew. Coolant coming out of exhaust pipes. *nm”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Dec 8, 2006
“1991 lincoln continental motor mounts failed.***no answer required***.*mr recall for motor mounts, sub-frame support plate, transmission cable, and mount corrosion. Dealership willing to fix sub-frame plate and cable, but will not fix motor mounts, stating that the 6 year or 60,000 miles has expired and that the car…”
Structure · filed Jul 11, 2005
“As I started off from a stop sign on 7/21/04. I heard a loud sound from under my car. I got and looked under the car but could not see anything wrong, since it was dark, so I got back in and started out again but I didn't have any power steering. I reasoned something had broken in the power steering unit. Since I was…”
Structure · filed Sep 1, 2004
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES
Engineering Analysis EA96024 · opened Sep 30, 1996 · closed Apr 15, 1997 · led to recall 97V019000
- ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES
Preliminary Evaluation PE96033 · opened May 2, 1996 · closed Sep 30, 1996 · led to recall 97V019000
- 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
- FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS
Preliminary Evaluation PE93070 · opened Jul 27, 1993 · closed Nov 22, 1993
- 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
Technical service bulletins
56 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1991 Lincoln Continental. The 10 most recent:
Transfer service tips for the front wiper motor mount bracket and depressed park output arm. *tt
02107 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 27, 2002
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
This information is a supplement to the wiper system service information provided in the workshop manuals. This service information is intended as an aid to assist in diagnosis and repair of erratic wiper system…
011201 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 25, 2001
Information on additional parts required when replacing transfer case on vehicles equippped with ax4s transaxle. *tt
14811 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 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
Experiencing a whine / buzz type noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio on vehicles with an in-tank electric fuel pump. *tt
99129 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 14, 1999
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 1991 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 1991 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.