1990 Lincoln Continental Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 11%of 158 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the electrical system of the 1990 Lincoln Continental, 11% of the 158 complaints for this model year. 6 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Consumer was driving vehicle for approximately 20 minutes, parked vehicle, and and was called by a neighbor approximately 8 minutes later, informing him that the vehicle was on fire. Vehicle was not totalled, but fire had damaged underhood wires and other areas.”
NHTSA complaint #823540, filed 1998-05“Alternater went out 6 times, and consumer can hear chimes. Then, lights come on the dash board, and everything goes dead. Consumer has always heard a chiming noise, indicating that alternater had charging problems.”
NHTSA complaint #865875, filed 2000-07“While driving at 35 MPH without prior warning,and upon pulling into a dealer's parking lot, consumer noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Popped open the hood, and there was a fire. Dealer put out the fire.”
NHTSA complaint #850825, filed 1999-10“Consumer was driving at 25 MPH when saw some smoke coming from under the hood, and the consumer pulled over to the side and open the hood and the smoke was coming out. The consumer closed the hood and called the fire department.”
NHTSA complaint #829484, filed 1998-10“While driving at 25 MPH consumer saw smoke coming from dashboard and everything melted in the vehicle, including radio/fan/windows. Also, the headlamps are black, and the computer burned out.”
NHTSA complaint #834873, filed 1999-02Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 5 | 15% |
| 2018 | 5 | 24% |
| 2017 | 14 | 19% |
| 2002 | 1 | 3% |
| 2001 | 6 | 19% |
| 2000 | 9 | 14% |
| 1998 | 7 | 10% |
| 1997 | 7 | 7% |
| 1996 | 3 | 6% |
| 1995 | 7 | 10% |
| 1994 | 15 | 8% |
| 1993 | 7 | 6% |
| 1992 | 10 | 8% |
| 1991 | 19 | 9% |
| 1990 | 18 | 11% |
| 1989 | 23 | 15% |
| 1988 | 33 | 39% |
| 1987 | 3 | 33% |
| 1985 | 4 | 27% |
| 1984 | 2 | 33% |
Other parts of the 1990 Lincoln Continental
40 complaintsSuspension
28 complaintsSeat belts
25 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 Lincoln Continental
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology