Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 252 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 Lincoln Continental, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 38 | 15% |
| Suspension | 33 | 13% |
| Seat belts | 28 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 26 | 10% |
| Steering | 23 | 9% |
| Structure | 17 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 15 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 6% |
| Power train | 10 | 4% |
| Visibility | 9 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING IMPACTED. WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED IT SHATTERED THE DRIVER'S GLASSES, REDUCING HIS VISIBILITY. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I PURCHASED A 1990 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL IN DECEMBER 2002, AND NOTICED THAT DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE REVS VERY HIGH AND THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE THE OVERDRIVE. I ALSO NOTICED THAT SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
THE AIR BAGS FOR THE SUSPENSION FAIL TO INFLATE. AND IF THEY DO INFLATE THEY GO DOWN WITHIN 1 MINUTE OF INFLATING THEM. ALSO, THE AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON, THOUGH THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY AIR BAGS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
HEADLIGHT LENS IS PLASTIC CAUSING IT TO BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO SEE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 98/V/323/000 FOR SUBFRAME CORROSION. HOWEVER, SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN ARKANSAS IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Structure
ON THE INTERNET IT STATED FORD HAD CALLBACKS FOR ALL3.8 ENGINES FOR HEADGASKET PROBLEMS BUT ONLY RECALLED A FEW VIN NUMBERS. HOW COULD THEY GET AWAY WITH THAT? YOU AND I AND EVERY MECCHANIC KNOWS THE PROBLEM WITH THE 3.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM MYSELF WITH 2 FORD MOTOR CO VEHICLES I OWN AND ONE MY FATHER OWNS. THE 2001 EXCURSION I OWN IS BEING RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM - THE INTERMITTENT WIPER MOTOR FUNCTION EITHER SHUTS THE WIPER BL
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING OFF AND ON. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT ACCORDING TO INFORMATION ON THE WEB THE 1990 MODELS HAD RECALLED FOR BAD MODULES. *YH
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1990 Lincoln Continental. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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, PENNSYLVANI
Risk: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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 FUNCTION
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.
Fix: 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: THESE CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE SEAT BELT USAGE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.
THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Risk: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Fix: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 72 | good |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 252 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 38 of them (15%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1990 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.