Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Lincoln Continental, and it carries 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 11 | 26% |
| Air bags | 9 | 21% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 9% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 9% |
| Power train | 2 | 5% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 2% |
| Steering | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
[XXX] VEHICLE IMPOUNDED IN AUSTIN TEXAS WAS NOT ABLE TO GET BACK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND P
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
PUT CAR INTO REVERSE, AND TIRE IMMEDIATELY BLEW OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, FRONT LEFT SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND BROKE. SPRING HAD PUNCTURED TIRE SIDEWALL ONCE BEING PUT INTO REVERSE AND BUSTED
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING CORROSION CAUSED THE TIE RODS TO CORRODE AND PUNCTURE THE TIRE WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVIS
NHTSA complaint: Steering
AFTER DRIVING FOR 200 MILES THE RIGHT ELECTRIC RADIATOR COOLING FAN CAUGHT ON FIRE AND HAD TO BE PUT OUT. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT PHARMACY AND WITH FOOT STILL ON BRAKE, CAR LURCHED FORWARD AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED, ONTO SIDEWALK AND INTO THE STONE WALL OF PHARMACY. NO DAMAGE TO PHARMACY. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND AIR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I SAW FLUID ON THE FLOOR OF MY GARAGE WENT TO MY REPAIR SHOP HE STATED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING UNIT WAS LEAKING NOT FROM ONE OF THE SEALS BUT FROM A CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE UNIT . HE SAID THIS IS A MANUFACTURER D
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1999 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.
Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, Brake
Risk: A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY AS A RESULT OF UNDERBODY IMPACTS NEAR THE SENSORS, SUCH AS THOSE OCCURRING FROM PIECES OF GRAVEL OR DEBRIS THROWN FROM THE WHEELS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED AT MODERATE TO HIGH SPEED OR BEING ACCELERATED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LINCOLN AT 1-800-521-4140.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER HOSE WAS DAMAGED DURING FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY ALLOWING FUEL LEAKAGE.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL WITH A REVISED FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY.
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 64 | average |
| Depreciation | 72 | good |
| Performance | 63 | average |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 11 of them (26%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (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 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. 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.