How many recalls does the 1989 Lincoln Continental have?

The 1989 Lincoln Continental has 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 1989 Lincoln Continental has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1989 Lincoln Continental?

Of 255 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is seat belts.

1989 Lincoln Continental Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1989 Lincoln Continental has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,086,150 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 255 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STRUCTURE 98V323000 1998-12-16 2,697,000 affected

Defect

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, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND,…

Consequence

IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

SEAT BELTS 97V174000 1997-10-07 63,400 affected

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEATING POSITION SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH.

Consequence

THESE CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE SEAT BELT USAGE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 91V134000 1991-08-06 325,000 affected

Defect

FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY.

Consequence

SEVERELY CORRODED ROTORS MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE NEARTHE INNER EDGES OF THE BRAKE DISCS RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS,HIGHER THAN NORMAL PEDAL EFFORTS, LOUD GRINDING NOISES, AND MODERATE PULLS WHENTHE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS MAY INCREASE MINIMUMSTOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY…

Remedy

REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

SEAT BELTS 89V048000 1989-03-27 750 affected

Defect

THE LEFT SIDE, REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY BE IMPROPERLY SECURED AND COULD PULL FREE OF ITS MOUNTING LOCATION.

Consequence

OCCUPANT, THOUGH STILL RESTRAINED BY THE LAP PORTION OFTHE BELT, WOULD NOT HAVE UPPER BODY PROTECTION.

Remedy

REINSTALL THE RETRACTOR ATTACHMENT BOLT.

Complaints by component

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Total complaints255

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The subframe on our 1989 continental rusted through which allows the engine to fall onto the steering gear and prevents steering. *tr”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS · reported 2008-03-24

“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 · reported 2002-12-15

“While driving and with no warning, when trying to apply brakes pedal went to the floor, and it was hard for vehicle to stop, causing an accident. Dealer notified.*ak consumer stated the accelerator pedal became stuck while driving on the frreway, when attempting to pull over to the emergency lane,…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL · reported 2002-08-23

“Consumer states that there was a fire in the vehicle which started in the engine compartment while the consumer was driving. Contacted dealer. Mr fuel rail exploded 3 inch hole. Instant fire in back of engine.”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE · reported 2002-08-16

“I had spent all my money on this vehicle. My mechanic told me it's irreperable and liability insurance will not cover. Now I have no money and no car for my 4-year old and I to run errands in.no safety defect listed. *ak”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD · reported 2002-07-22

“Digital mileage gauge keeps going up.*ak”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH · reported 2002-04-15

“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…”

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM · reported 2002-01-01

“There have been numerous problems with this car. The alternator has been replaced four times in six months. The battery has been replaced. Something is still draining all of the power away. The front-seat three-point seat belts go slack while driving and do not retract after use. Ford says it is…”

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN · reported 2001-05-15

Defect investigations

Investigation DP95004 Opened 1995-08-08 · closed 1995-08-30