1991 Lincoln CONTINENTAL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
104 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
120,226 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 104 complaints (17.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 12.5% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 8.7% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 6.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 5.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 18 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 16 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 8 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 5 |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System | 5 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 18; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 16; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 8; Structure:Frame And Members: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 5; Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 100 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 29 |
| 1996 | 24 |
| 2000 | 27 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1995: 29; 1996: 24; 2000: 27; 2001: 10; 2002: 2; 2003: 4; 2004: 5; 2005: 2; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10032952 · 2003-08-16 (August 16, 2003)
TRANSMISSION SUDDEN FAILURE WITH NO WARNING. IT HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER WE EXITED THE FREEWAY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 133,451 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032952 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070664 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
I HAD JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A PRIVATE OWNER FOR MY SISTER TO DRIVE TO WORK. WELL NOT EVEN BEFORE WE GOT HOME THE MAIN EEC IV COMPUTER DIED SO THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN. ONCE WE FIGURED OUT IT WAS THE MAIN COMPUTER AND REPLACED IT IT RAN FINE. BUT WE STILL HAD TWO BAD FRONT AIR STRUTS TO FIX. AFTER ALL THAT SHE FINALLY GOT TO DRIVE IT TO WORK AND THE FIRST DAY SHE DROVE THE CAR SHE DID NOT EVEN MAKE IT HOME BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION JUST STOPPED WORKING. SO SHE IS OUT A CAR AND WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. BECAUSE OF ALL THE OTHER CARS MY …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10070664 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015037 · 2003-04-02 (April 2, 2003)
THE SUB FRAME DROPPED, WHICH CAUSED IMPROPER STEERING. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRABLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 107,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015037 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088975 · 2005-02-15 (February 15, 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 ONLY TWO BLOCKS FROM HOME I DECIDED TO TRY TO LIMP THE CAR HOME. I GOT A FLASH LIGHT AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR. I FOUND THE REAR OF THE SUB FRAME HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM THE BODY, AND WAS ONLY A COUPLE OF INCHES OFF THE GROUND. …
Owner-reported narrative. 156,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088975 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 551192 · 2000-03-02 (March 2, 2000)
POWER BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PERFORM POORLY. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 551192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8005086 · 2002-03-06 (March 6, 2002)
WHILE PULLING UP DRIVEWAY WITH FOOT ON BRAKE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8005086 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 718957 · 2000-02-19 (February 19, 2000)
SHORTLY AFTER COMPLETE TRANSMISSION, MOTOR MOUNTS, AND POWER STEERING REPLACED,THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS FAILED, ONCE AGAIN CONTRBUTING TO A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. WHILE RTURNING HOME FROM BABTSITTING MY GRANDDAUGHTER I WAS ALARMED BY DRIVERS GOING THE OPPOSITE WAY BEEPING AT ME. ONE FINALLY ROLLED DOWN HIS WINDOW AND YELLED THAT I WAS SMOKING SO BADLY I WAS BLOCKING EVERYONES VIEW. I LOOKED BACK TO SEE A DENSE CLOUD OF STEAM COVERING BOTH LANES OF TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. CARS WERE AT A STANDSTILL UNTIL THE STEAM DISSIPATED. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT DOWN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 718957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 800558 · 1996-08-06 (August 6, 1996)
TURNED OFF IGNITION, MINUTES LATER STARTED SMOKING FROM UNERHOOD BY IGNITION AREA, FOLLOWED BY FLAMES, DESTROYED/MELTED ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INCLUDING AIRBAG.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 800558 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021078 · 2003-06-05 (June 5, 2003)
FAILURE: 05-23-03 I WAS DRIVING ON I-475 NORTH IN THE FARTHEREST LEFT HAND LANE, WHEN THERE WAS A STALLING MOTION. IT WAS SO UNEXPECTED THAT IT MADE MY 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND MYSELF JUMP. I MANAGED TO SLOW DOWN IN TRAFFIC AND PULL TO THE RIGHT HAND EMERGENCY LANE. WHEN I TRIED PULLING BACK INTO TRAFFIC TO MAKE IT TO THE NEXT EXIT, THE LINCOLN WOULD NOT MOVE. LUCKILY, I HAD MY WORK CELLULAR TELEPHONE AND CALLED 911. 911 TRANSFERRED THE CALL TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, AND SOMEONE CAME TO TRY TO HELP. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 3 M…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 860262 · 2000-04-13 (April 13, 2000)
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS DETERMINED THAT ENGINE INTERLOCK WAS THE CAUSE OF VEHICLE'S UNEXPECTED SHUTDOWN. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860262 at NHTSA ↗